MitsubishiOutlander Sport2021Overview/mitsubishi/outlander-sport/2021/base/

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Outlander Sport.

The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport occupies a settled position in a model history that stretches from 2011 through 2026, and its reliability profile stands out as one of the calmer chapters in that timeline. With just 17 total owner complaints and a single recall on record, the 2021 registers far below the model's 2015 peak of 231 complaints and sits much closer to the low end that later years would approach — 2024 logging only a single complaint. The top complaint area falls under "Unknown or Other," indicating no single mechanical or system failure dominates owner feedback, which points to the absence of a widespread, patterned issue for this model year. For researchers mapping the Outlander Sport's reliability arc, the 2021 represents a point where the model's highest-complaint years had clearly passed and complaint volume had stabilized at a consistently low level.

Model year202520242023202220212020

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 520 CCA battery, OE oil filter MZ690072. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 520 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225/55R18 97HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterMZ690072
Engine air filterMR968274
Fuel filter1770A263 alt 1770A265
Spark plug1822A069 alt 1822A068
Front wiper blades8250B220 alt 8250A174
Serpentine belt1340A150
Thermostat1305A803
Cabin air filter7803A109

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length185 in
Overall width71.3 in
Overall height67.3 in
Wheelbase105.1 in
Curb weight3406 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Outlander Sport of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.9–10.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.90 sec — 2018 SEL 2.4
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2020GT 2.4 AWC 2.4L I-48.00 sec16.20 sec168 hpAWD
2018SEL 2.4 2.4L I-47.90 sec16.20 sec168 hpAWD
2018SEL 2.4 2.4L I-48.50 sec16.50 sec168 hpAWD
2017Limited Edition 2.0 2.0L I-49.50 sec17.50 sec148 hpAWD
2015GT 2.4 2.4L I-48.60 sec16.70 sec168 hpAWD
2015SE 2.0 2.0L I-49.00 sec17.00 sec148 hpFWD
2011ES 2.0 2.0L I-48.30 sec16.50 sec148 hpFWD
2011SE 2.0 2.0L I-49.50 sec17.50 sec148 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Engine torques

Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs19.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance520 cca

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.7 ft. lbs., Step 2: 15.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90°3.7 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
130.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 95.030 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45°20 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant at 120,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 120,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect)
At 105,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport's federal record shows a generation arc where complaints and recalls peaked mid-generation in 2015 with 231 complaints and 10 recalls, before steadily declining into the later years. The 2021 model sits firmly in this mature, low-complaint tail end, registering just 17 complaints and 1 recall, which is a significant drop from the generation's peak and a slight improvement over the preceding 2020 model's 26 complaints. For the 2021 model year specifically, the data does not specify root causes, but the primary complaint areas are "Unknown or Other" (3 complaints) and "Electrical System, Forward Collision Avoidance" (2 complaints), with zero crash or fire complaints recorded. This low-complaint stability continues into 2022 with just 11 complaints, indicating the 2021 model benefits from the generation's late-cycle refinements rather than early teething issues. Consequently, the 2021 Outlander Sport represents a strong, low-risk used buy within this generation, offering proven reliability without the high complaint volumes seen in prior years.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
47
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
17
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 17 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other3
Electrical System,Forward Collision Avoidance2
Electrical System,Engine1
Vehicle Speed Control,Unknown Or Other,Lane Departure1
Back Over Prevention1
Electrical System,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Electrical System1
Engine & Engine Cooling1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

22V563000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module:SoftwareReported 02/08/2022

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with continuously variable transmissions and mechanical key ignition systems. A software error in the… Remedy: Dealers will update the CVT-ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2022. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 47 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB-25-54-0022026-03-30Electrical SystemThis revised Technical Service Bulletin instructs dealers to confirm that the SDA2 Audio…
PB-25-54-0022026-01-30Electrical SystemThis parts bulletin provides clarification on the correct part numbers to order / use…
TSB-25-54-0022026-01-29Electrical SystemThis Technical Service Bulletin instructs dealers to confirm that the SDA2 Audio Unit…
TECH TALK 2892025-11-21Electrical SystemTech Talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. It covers various topics…
TIN-25-54-0072025-09-24Electrical SystemThis Technical Information Notice informs dealers that the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Outlander Sport. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2021 Outlander Sport have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.