VehicleVerdict

2018 Mitsubishi Outlander problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander sits mid-pack among Outlander years: 80 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 64, with 6 recalls and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 13 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (12), engine (11), and airbags (10), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

80

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

14

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

13

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2018 compare to other Outlander years?

See all Outlander years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1215%
Engine1114%
Airbags1013%
Other810%
Body & Structure79%
Brakes68%
Lighting56%
Transmission34%
Tires & Wheels34%
Seats34%
Driver Assistance34%
Seat Belts23%
Fuel System23%
Speed Control23%
Suspension23%
Visibility & Wipers11%

Does the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V252000Body & StructureApril 20, 2026 · 108,046 units

Defect

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Outlander PHEV and 2014-2020 Outlander vehicles. The liftgate gas spring cylinders may corrode and lose pressure, which can result in a gas spring cylinder rupture or the liftgate falling unexpectedly.

Consequence

A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

MMNA will replace the left and right liftgate gas springs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 17, 2026. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-26-001. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov June 3, 2026. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V507.

25V507000Body & StructureAugust 7, 2025 · 121,529 units

Defect

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Outlander PHEV and 2014-2020 Outlander vehicles sold and/or currently registered in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The liftgate gas spring cylinders may corrode and lose pressure, which can result in a gas spring cylinder rupture or the liftgate falling unexpectedly.

Consequence

A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

MMNA will replace the left and right liftgate gas springs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2025. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-25-002

20V403000Seat BeltsJuly 13, 2020 · 177,000 units

Defect

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Outlander and 2018-2019 Outlander PHEV vehicles. The second-row center seat belt buckle may interfere with the right-side seat belt buckle when the seat backs are folded down. The interference may cause the right-side seat belt buckle cover to come off, making the buckle latch inoperable and unable to restrain an occupant.

Consequence

An unrestrained occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will modify the second-row center seat belt buckle cover, install a new warning label to the second-row seat support base, and provide a new warning label insert for the owner's manual, free of charge. The recall began September 1, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-20-004.

18V620000Driver AssistanceSeptember 14, 2018 · 9,166 units

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 (Electronic Control Unit) may apply braking for longer than needed, even after a pedestrian is no longer detected.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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 is SR-18-007.

18V621000Driver AssistanceSeptember 14, 2018 · 58,916 units

Defect

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with a Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) system and 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Eclipse Cross vehicles and 2017-2018 Outlander vehicles equipped with an Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system and/or an Electric Parking Brake (EPB) system. The software for the Hydraulic Unit Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may be incorrect, possibly preventing the intervention of a safety system such as automatic emergency braking, Anti-lock Braking (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), or the Brake Auto Hold (BAH) function when any of these systems are in use.

Consequence

If the safety systems do not function as intended, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will update the Hydraulic Unit-ECU software, free of charge. The recall began October 16, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-008.

18V591000OtherSeptember 5, 2018 · 14,791 units

Defect

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Mitsubishi Outlander vehicles equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels. The Certification Label lists an incorrect rear wheel rim size. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence

The incorrect rim size information on the label can cause the operator to replace the rim with an incorrect rim size, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

MMNA will notify owners and send them a corrected certification label, free of charge. Owners can also choose to have the label replaced by a dealer, free of charge. The recall began September 26, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-006.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V621000 (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). WHILE DRIVING 28 MPH, THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 11, 2019 · crash

The contact owns a 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who stated that there was a code for leak in the fuel tank however, the mechanic was unable to determine the location of the failure. The…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 1, 2021

I was in a head on collision on 12/13/2022, and the air bag failed to deploy. The failure of the air bag deployment cause my chest to slam into the steering wheel along with my knees on the steering column. I went to the hospital for observation and any unknown injuries. My chest hurts and knees…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 13, 2022 · crash

'TAKATA RECALL' I GOT INTO A THREE COLLISION ACCIDENT ON A CITY HIGHWAY. WHEN I WAS BRAKING TO AVOID THE ACCIDENT IT KEPT ON MOVING LIKE IT WAYS DELAYED. I BELIEVE THAT THE ACCIDENT COULD OF BEEN PREVENTABLE IF MY BRAKES WAS AWARE THAT MY FEET WAS ON IT. IT'S LIKE THE CAR WAS DOING IT'S OWN THING.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · December 17, 2018 · crash

'TAKATA RECALL' I GOT INTO A THREE COLLISION ACCIDENT ON A CITY HIGHWAY. WHEN I WAS BRAKING TO AVOID THE ACCIDENT IT KEPT ON MOVING LIKE IT WAYS DELAYED. I BELIEVE THAT THE ACCIDENT COULD OF BEEN PREVENTABLE IF MY BRAKES WAS AWARE THAT MY FEET WAS ON IT. IT'S LIKE THE CAR WAS DOING IT'S OWN THING.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · December 17, 2018 · crash

2018 Mitsubishi Outlander — common questions

Is the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?

It is close to typical for the Outlander: 80 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2018 Outlander problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (12 complaints), engine (11 complaints), airbags (10 complaints).

Does the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mitsubishi Outlander years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Outlander years to avoid are 2022, 2016, 2007, 2003. The cleanest record among Outlander years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.