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2011 Mitsubishi Outlander engine problems

24 complaints (41% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 70,000.

owner complaints
24
of this car's complaints
41%
typical mileage
70,000
crashes
0
recalls
2

Which part fails

  • Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Mitsubishi Outlander engine problems in other years

200320052010201520202026

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleysReported January 26, 2018 · 141,053 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Lancer, 2008-2012 Outlander, 2010-2012 Lancer Sportback, and 2011-2012 Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with either a 4B11 or 4B12 engine. The drive belt automatic tensioner flange may crack, allowing the accessory drive belt to detach.
Risk
If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the belt tensioner with one that has an improved shape, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1‑888‑648‑7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-001.

Recall number 18V069000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleysReported September 12, 2014 · 165,923 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Lancer, Lancer Evolution, and Outlander; 2009-2011 Lancer Sportback, Lancer Rilliart, and Lancer Sportback Ralliart; and 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles. The affected vehicles, manufactured with 4B1 engines, have an engine pulley and belt arrangement for turning the alternator, the cooling fan and the power steering pump (if equipped). These pulleys may experience unusual wear and allow for belt detachment.
Risk
If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the drive belt with a rubber belt. Drive pulleys that are excessively worn will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 15, 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1‑888‑648‑7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-009.

Recall number 14V562000 · Recall details

What 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 19, 2026 · Engine · MD

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection? The engine experienced catastrophic internal failure. A connecting rod broke and punctured the engine block, rendering the vehicle completely inoperable. This failure is consistent with overheating and internal engine damage. The vehicle is currently available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The failure occurred suddenly while driving, without warning. The vehicle lost power immediately, which could have resulted in loss of control, inability to accelerate, and exposure to traffic hazards. This created a serious safety risk to myself and others on the road. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? An independent mobile mechanic inspected the vehicle and confirmed catastrophic engine failure. Based on the condition of the engine and damage observed, the failure is consistent with severe overheating and internal mechanical breakdown. Full written diagnosis may be pending. Dealer inspection: UNKNOWN”) Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer. Insurance has been notified and may conduct an inspection. The MD state trooper deemed the car inoperable and tagged it. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or symptoms prior to the failure? There were no warning lights, messages, or indications of an issue prior to the failure. The incident occurred suddenly and without warning the same day the vehicle was purchased. At the time of failure, the vehicle had an open and unremedied safety recall (SR-18-001 – Drive Belt Auto Tensioner, the federal safety agency Campaign #18V069). This defect can cause the drive belt to detach, disabling the water pump and leading to rapid engine overheating. The failure I experienced is consistent with this defect. . The incident occurred day of pur

Filed Jan 17, 2024 · Engine · VA

Consumes ( Burns ) good amount of oil

Filed May 1, 2023 · Engine · NJ

The engine is shutting off while In traffic and from a full stop on red light. This happened so many times. I had to put on park and start the engine for it to work again.

Filed Jul 12, 2021 · Engine · MN

I purchased the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander in 2015. In January 2018 the engine seized up while driving and was not repairable. Thankfully I was able to pull over and no one was hurt. The vehicle was only 7 years old with only 112,846 miles and I still had a loan on the vehicle for approxiamtly $10,000. The vehicle was at the time worth the cost left to pay it off. I consulted many Mitsubishi dealerships around the country and the only fix as a new engine for the vehicle which was an additional $10,000 and there were no engines anywhere in the country that could be found. The reason is that Mitsubishi decommissioned this Outlander model in 2013 due to the issue with the engine - essentially it was built like a snowmobile engine. The belt snapped and there was no repairing it - only replacing the entire engine. Mitsubishi knew this was an issue with this model - they decommissioned it only after 2 years on the market and they didn't issue a recall until 2018 - 5 years later! In the mean time I had found others around the coutnry with the same issue and we were all left with auto loans and no working vehicle. This is extremely poor business tactics and dishonest and very unsafe. I was lucky I was not driving on a freeway at the time when the engine seized up and the vehicle bucked like wild horse - it could have resulted in a major accident. It is dishonest to issue a recall 5 years after the company knew the vehicle had an issue and most likely all of the models had been sold or abandoned by this time so they don't have to pay for many repairs since there are not many that have lasted until 2018 to be repaired. A complaint has also been filed with the Minnesota State Attorney General. I was stuck with the $10,000 loan on a car that was now worth $0 and Mitsubishi at that time acted they had no idea what was wrong with it or why this happened. All lies.

Filed May 7, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 99,600 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 mitsubishi outlander. The contact stated upon coming to a stop, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed of an unknown fuse failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,600.*dt consumer stated electrical circuit shorts drains the battery continuously. On several occasions vehicle has shut off completely while in traffic.

Filed Feb 20, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

I was driving on I 75, me, 2 passengers and 7 animals deep. When out of no where my acceleration stopped and the rpms reved, the car started to slow down, I wasn't able to accelerate anymore. I costed to the side of the road and we were stuck.! My CVT transmission is bad.

Filed Dec 5, 2018 · Brakes, Electrical · 22 miles · PR

Brakes make a different sound (like a blow) when it brakes suddenly. Air conditioning stopped working two weeks ago. When the a / c is turned on, the sound of the compressor is heard but no air is voted. Opaque or not illuminate well. Low intensity of the lights.

Filed Oct 16, 2018 · Engine, Transmission · NY

2011 mitsubishi outlander. Consumer writes with regard to belt tension tightener recall repair. *as the consumer stated that the dealer charged for a portion of the repair that should have been covered under the recall.*js

Filed Apr 2, 2018 · Body, Engine · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 mitsubishi outlander. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 18v103000 (visibility), 18v103000 (engine and engine cooling), 18v103000 (structure), and 18v103000 (visibility). The contact was unable to have the vehicle repaired because the nearest dealer was two states away. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Apr 2, 2018 · Engine · 125,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 mitsubishi outlander. While driving 25 MPH, the contact heard a loud noise coming from the vehicle. The contact continued driving and pulled over to the side of the road. The contact inspected underneath the vehicle and noticed that the muffler was detached. The contact called bell mitsubishi (1500 u.s. 1, rahway, nj 07065, (732) 388-8800) in an attempt to trade-in the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.

Questions about the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander engine

Does the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander have engine problems?

Owners have filed 24 complaints about the engine of the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander, 41% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 70,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander engine?

Yes, 2 recalls: 18V069000, 14V562000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Mitsubishi Outlander have bad engine?

The Mitsubishi Outlander model years with the most engine complaints are 2011 (24 complaints), 2016 (20 complaints) and 2010 (19 complaints).

Other 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander problems

Electrical 9Visibility 9Transmission 6Acceleration 4Airbags 4Suspension 4Body 3Brakes 3Fuel system 3Lights 3Seat belts 2Wheels 2Driver assistance 1Steering 1

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