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2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 57 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander, most often about the engine (21% of complaints, typically around 28,000 miles). It is 8th of 23 Outlander model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander problems
Engine
12 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 28,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that the lower engine heat shield had cracked at the bolt inserts causing the shield to become unsecure. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the heat shield needed to be replaced.…
Within 10,000 miles of owning my new car I noticed it would randomly stall sometimes at the stop light of an intersection. It doesn't take long to start back up. Other times my car struggles to start all together. I'll turn the key 2-3 times before it starts. Several months went by where the issue was no longer…
Air bags
10 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 36,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact called on behalf of the driver his daughter. The contact stated that while his daughter was at a complete stop, a vehicle driving at 50 MPH failed to stop and crashed into the contact rear removing the vehicle rear bumper, and tail lights, the driver proceeded…
On march 11 th, my Outlander was unable to stop and had minimal traction in about a quarter of an inch of snow causing my vehicle to hit a tree head on. I was driving under 30 miles an hour when the accident occurred. After hitting the tree, the steering wheel began to smoke. I was able to exit the vehicle and turned…
Electrical
9 complaints · 16%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 vehicle crashed into a tree.…
Within 10,000 miles of owning my new car I noticed it would randomly stall sometimes at the stop light of an intersection. It doesn't take long to start back up. Other times my car struggles to start all together. I'll turn the key 2-3 times before it starts. Several months went by where the issue was no longer…
Other or unspecified
8 complaints · 14%The sunroof glass exploded out of our car while we were driving on the freeway in idaho. The sunroof was closed because it had been raining and it was cold. Mitsubishi had a similar problem with sunroof glass detaching in outlanders from 2007-2010. When we contacted Mitsubishi they informed US that the glass flying…
Body and structure
8 complaints · 14%Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The contact owns a 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that after opening the liftgate, while reaching into the trunk, the liftgate fell and hit the contact on the head. The contact had not sustained an injury. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was…
The contact owns a 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and turning into a parking area, there was an abnormal snapping sound coming from the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the exhaust had…
Lights
5 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: headlights.
Head lights burned out 3 times in less than one year. Headlights have a life expectancy of more than 1 year. Not sure is static build up and shock is related, but that is ongoing too.
I have replaced the lowbeam headlights 7 times in the past year. I dont realize they are out until someone or the police tell me. This is a safety problem.
Brakes
5 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 15,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock.
I bought my car july 31, 2018, 0 miles vehicle Mitsubishi Outlander gt 2018. I have notice dangerous condition on the break system. - first of all, when the vehicle was about 6 month of use the rear break start to sound. When I take my vehicle to the Mitsubishi service department and the rear break pads was worn out…
On march 11 th, my Outlander was unable to stop and had minimal traction in about a quarter of an inch of snow causing my vehicle to hit a tree head on. I was driving under 30 miles an hour when the accident occurred. After hitting the tree, the steering wheel began to smoke. I was able to exit the vehicle and turned…
Seats
3 complaints · 5%
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander recalls
Body and structure: support device/strut
Risk: A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: support device/strut
Risk: A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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
Full defect summary
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.
Seat belts: buckle assembly
Risk: An unrestrained occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Driver assistance: pedestrian/cyclist/object/obstacle/ recognition
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.
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 is sr-18-007.
Full defect summary
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.
Driver assistance: adaptive cruise control
Risk: If the safety systems do not function as intended, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: labels
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (12 complaints, typically around 28,000 miles); air bags (10 complaints, typically around 36,500 miles); electrical (9 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 20, 2026 (body and structure). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2018 a bad year for the Mitsubishi Outlander?
- It is 8th of 23 Outlander model years by number of complaints, with 57 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.