Head-to-head reliability
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport vs Toyota Camry
How the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport vs Toyota Camry: The Outlander Sport averages 20.6 complaints per year with 6 recalls, while the Camry averages 214.3 complaints per year with 31 recalls. The Camry also has 1 death and 163 injuries reported, versus 0 deaths and 19 injuries for the Outlander Sport. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is a compact SUV with a relatively low complaint volume—about 21 per year over a decade—but owners frequently report electrical glitches, transmission software problems, and brake noise. Many complaints center on the infotainment touchscreen becoming unresponsive, which can distract the driver, and on ignition-coil failures that cause misfires and power loss. Recalls for transmission control software and electrical system software suggest these are known issues. For a first-time buyer, it's a simple vehicle but one where you should verify that recall work has been done and test all electronics thoroughly.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with a much higher complaint rate—roughly 214 per year—and a broader range of reported problems, including transmission grinding, sudden acceleration, brake failure, and air conditioning defects. While many complaints are for older models, the volume and severity (including one death) indicate that some Camrys can develop serious safety issues. Recalls cover air bag sensors, seats, wheels, and labels, but not all reported problems are addressed. A used Camry can be reliable, but a thorough pre-purchase inspection is critical, especially for transmission and brake behavior.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mitsubishi Outlander Sport | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 206 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 6 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 27 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 20.6 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 19 Better | 163 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM49
- 02POWER TRAIN41
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER36
- 04SERVICE BRAKES34
- 05ENGINE33
Owners report the infotainment touchscreen becoming unresponsive, making basic functions impossible to use while driving and causing distraction. Others mention brake grinding and fluctuating mileage with maintenance warnings, pointing to electrical or sensor faults.
Complaints include repeated ignition-coil failures, engine misfires, and catalyst-system faults that cause intermittent power loss and hesitation. One owner described the vehicle stalling at 65 mph, which is a serious safety concern.
Owners report grinding brakes and erratic mileage readings, with one complaint linking brake issues to a maintenance warning. These symptoms suggest potential brake wear or sensor problems that should be inspected.
While fewer complaints mention the engine directly, some overlap with power train issues like misfires and catalyst faults. These can lead to rough running and failed emissions tests if not addressed.
“The touchscreen for the main infotainment system is becoming unresponsive. It’s impossible to use the most basic functions while driving without being distracted. It’s caused me to swerve & almost lose control of the vehicle on multiple occasions— as it distr…”
“Dec 1,2023 tried to stop and the brakes was grinding and the milage goes up and down as you are driving and it says routine maintenance required when you put the key in to start the outlander as got it from Todd Judy ford in Charleston WV and according to Mit…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the transmission upon acceleration, with some needing full transmission replacement. One complaint described sudden acceleration in a parking lot, leading to a crash, which is a severe safety issue.
Complaints include uncontrollable sudden acceleration and coolant valve bypass issues that trigger maintenance warnings. These can cause loss of control or engine damage if ignored.
Owners describe brake pedal failure with no response, such as while driving down a steep hill. This is a critical safety concern that requires immediate attention.
Some complaints mention air conditioning malfunctions, including condenser damage from road debris and persistent mildew odors. These are comfort issues but can indicate poor component protection.
“I turned into a restaurant’s parking lot, found a spot and slowly drove into the lot, I eased off the gas pedal and gently applying the brake as the lot has a slight downward slope. When I reach the chunk (the parking block), I added more force to the brake,…”
“Grinding noise coming from front end upon acceleration. Brought to dealership who confirmed noises coming from transmission. Transmission needs to be replaced per dealer recommendation. Recalls on 2021 Toyota Camry for same issue. Transmissions on backorder a…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport — 6 recalls
The defect: 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 transmission control unit (CVT-ECU) may incorrectly reduce the transmission gear ratio…
The risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-22-004.
The defect: 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 transmission control unit (CVT-ECU) may incorrectly reduce the transmission gear ratio…
The risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-22-004.
The defect: 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 transmission control unit (CVT-ECU) may incorrectly reduce the transmission gear ratio…
The risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-22-004.
The defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Outlander Sport, 2018-2019 Eclipse Cross, and 2017-2018 Outlander vehicles equipped with a Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) system that detects pedestrians. Due to incorrect software, the FCM-ECU (Electron…
The risk: If the FCM-ECU software activates the brake for longer than necessary, the driver may react by applying additional braking. The resulting rapid deceleration of the vehicle can increase the risk of a rear-end collision.
The fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the FCM-ECU software with updated software, free of charge. The recall is began October 16, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has far fewer complaints per year (about 21) compared to the Toyota Camry (about 214), but both have serious reported issues. In practice, the Outlander Sport may have fewer overall problems, but the Camry's higher volume means you're more likely to find a well-maintained example with records. The difference means that with the Outlander Sport, you should focus on electrical and transmission software, while with the Camry, transmission and brake checks are essential.
Key differences
- The Outlander Sport has about 21 complaints per year, while the Camry has about 214, but the Camry's higher volume includes many older models.
- Outlander Sport owners frequently report infotainment touchscreen failures and ignition-coil issues, whereas Camry owners report transmission grinding and sudden acceleration.
- The Camry has 31 recalls covering air bags, seats, and wheels, while the Outlander Sport has 6 recalls mostly for transmission and electrical software.
- The Camry has 1 death and 163 injuries reported, compared to 0 deaths and 19 injuries for the Outlander Sport, indicating potentially more severe outcomes in the Camry.
- Test the infotainment touchscreen for responsiveness and check for any delay or freezing, as unresponsive screens are a common complaint.
- Listen for engine misfires or hesitation during acceleration, and ask if ignition coils or transmission software recalls have been performed.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any grinding noise from the transmission, especially when accelerating, and check for delayed or harsh shifting.
- Test the brakes on a downhill slope or at low speeds to ensure they respond immediately; any sponginess or failure to stop is a red flag.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls have been remedied, especially for the Outlander Sport's transmission software and the Camry's air bag sensors.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the transmission and brakes, as both models have reported issues in these areas.
- Test all electronics, including the infotainment system, air conditioning, and warning lights, during a thorough test drive.
- For the Camry, specifically ask about any transmission replacement or repair history, and check for sudden acceleration symptoms.
- For the Outlander Sport, check for ignition coil and spark plug replacement records, and listen for engine misfires.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Mitsubishi Outlander Sport | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 119 |
| 2025 | 1 | 153 |
| 2024 | 1 | 48 |
| 2023 | 7 | 62 |
| 2022 | 11 | 59 |
| 2021 | 17 | 155 |
| 2020 | 26 | 270 |
| 2019 | 47 | 393 |
| 2018 | 21 | 736 |
| 2017 | 73 | 148 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Mitsubishi Outlander Sport or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mitsubishi Outlander Sport vs Toyota Camry
- Mitsubishi Outlander Sport total complaints
- 206
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Mitsubishi Outlander Sport total recalls
- 6
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Mitsubishi Outlander Sport avg complaints/year
- 20.6
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
- Mitsubishi Outlander Sport top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN