Mitsubishi · Outlander · 2018
5
Recalls
55
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander has 5 recalls and 55 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: air bags (8 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
Frontal Crash Test

Side Crash Test

Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
16.4% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
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.
Remedy Status
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
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."
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
See attached document for complaint
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 fractured in half due to excessive corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V507000 (Structure). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH over a pothole, the driver's side and passenger side curtain airbags erroneously deployed. The contact stated that no collision had occurred prior to the air bags deployment. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failures. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 215,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V507000 (Structure); however, the liftgate gas springs had failed and were replaced prior to the recall. The manufacturer was contacted for reimbursement, and the contact mailed the required documents as requested by the manufacturer. The contact later followed up with the manufacturer, who confirmed that the requested documents had been received and informed the contact that there was no time frame for the reimbursement process. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to provide reimbursement. The failure mileage was 132,324.
1. On hot/warm days when I start my vehicle it will run then die and give me the code for Mass air sensor which I replaced but it keeps doing it; the check engine will stay on for a while then turn off until it does it again. 2. When driving and I go over a speed bump the suspension grinds or does a hard squeaking noise. 3. The USB in the center console stops working at times or when move the charging cord it disconnects for a few seconds. 4. Internal lights work when they want to, I thought the bulbs where burnt out and replaced them but they still come on when they want to not everytime a door is opened.
Camshaft phaser shattered and is missing a chunk of metal
The contact owns a 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated while attempting to park the vehicle, the contact became aware that the rearview camera was inoperable. The contact stated that the rearview camera failed to function properly, and the camera image appeared blank. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.
Car will drive on interstate then will be unable to accelerate on interstate warning, “Propulsion power reduced” light turns on and vehicle speed decreases and car does not accelerates and loses speed. I had to stop vehicle multiple times to reset the car per advice on the internet but car continues with drastic decrease in speed on the interstate and message “Propulsion Power Reduced.” Car is serviced as per car dealership recommendations but now car is not safe to drive on the interstate.
My car does not lock. Ive changed the battery in the key fob a few times i cant use my key fob or the actual key to unlock or lock my car. Also while im driving down the road my car lights flicker a lot. Along with all my inside lights. Ive confirmed with my mechanic thats its not the radiator causing the problem. Also my car doeant shift good and sometime jerks when i come to a complete stop and then go.
SRS-Air Bag codes B1476, B1558, B1631 repeated triggering since 2020. History: - 9/30/20 - Dealer read code B1631 (DR Knee ABG Squib Short) & U0154 (OCM CAN Timeout), did not diagnose cause, erased codes - 4/12/21 ~0920 - check airbag light illuminated - 7/30/21 ~0800 & ~0920 - check airbag light illuminated -- called dealer; was informed since light extinguished I would be liable for diagnostic cost if not covered under warranty - 9/30/21 ~0700 twice - check airbag light illuminated - 11/16/21 ~0720 - check airbag light illuminated - 1/5/22 ~0630 - check airbag light illuminated - 1/14/22 ~1319 twice - check airbag light illuminated - 1/18/22 ~1550 & ~1700 - check airbag light illuminated - 1/19/22 ~1052 & ~1059 - check airbag light illuminated - 1/20/22 ~1304 - check airbag light illuminated - 1/25/22 ~1534 - check airbag light illuminated - 2/11/22 ~1000 - check airbag light illuminated - 3/19/22 ~1800 x 2, ~2245 - check airbag light illuminated - 5/16/23 ~1600 - check airbag light illuminated - 6/18/23 ~1426 - check airbag light illuminated - 6/22/23 ~0928 & ~0955 - check airbag light illuminated - 10/22/23 ~1040 - check airbag light illuminated - 6/16/24 - used personal car scan tool and found B1476 (IG1[A] voltage extraordinary low), B1558 (OCSS control unit), B1631 (DR knee ABG squib short) faults *** Original action by dealer in 2020 to simply delete latched codes did not remedy airbag problem...safety complaints at NHTSA indicate airbag failure during collision...this appears to be a serious public safety problem. ***
This is the second time the bushings on the rear motor (i believe they said inverter motor) have needed to be replaced. Currently the motor is being held by two of the three bushing. I was told by Mitsubishi that this is a common issue. If it's a common issue and if all three bushings failed, the rear motor would be displaced and could cause driver to have accident while driving the vehicle. My brakes are better made then these bushings, I have only had to replace my brakes once.
The contact owns a 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the air bag warning light began to flash off and on. The failure was a constant failure. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,330.
Air bag light comes on when drivers seat put back. When seat moved forward air bag light goes off. When air bag light is on system will not work, not safe to drive. Dealership on first repair did wire repair. They claimed when seat was put back it stretched harness turning on air bag light. Did repair under warranty. Second time they replaced harness due to same problem per Service Advisor. Second repair was not warranty due to being over on mileage. Vehicle is a 2018 with 31754 miles.
The sunroof on our vehicle, self exploded while driving. There was a loud bang, and then we were covered in sunroof glass shards. The fine dust of the sunroof glass went into my right eye which created minor eye irritation. I was able to pull over. Flush out my eye with water and then proceeded to remove the pieces of glass from the sunroof area because I was afraid the pieces would blow off and hit any vehicle that was behind us for the remainder of our drive home. It scared the hell out of us. I am thankful that my daughter was not driving due to seeing her panic reaction from this experience. There were no drivers in front of us. We were not driving under any trees. It was a clear open rural road. Went to our local dealer. They inspected the sunroof & stated they have never seen anything like this happen. Since I was out of the warranty due to mileage(9,000 over)they suggest I go through my insurance company to resolve this matter. My view on this is it wasn’t so much a warranty issue, but a huge safety issue. Never would I imagine a Sunroof self exploding while driving and not causing me to have an accident because of my reaction to it. So with this in mind, I directly called Mitsubishi motors of North America. I had them open up a case number on this issue. The final response back from the manufacture was that I needed to go through my insurance company to deal with having my sunroof replaced. During filing my case to the manufacture directly, they asked me what I would like to have Mitsubishi motors of North America do. I stated to have my sunroof replaced with the right tempered glass. That this was a scary situation and one of great safety concern that no sunroof with all the manufacture testing should ever have this happen. I was very disappointed that they were not willing to take the responsibility of replacing the sunroof properly with the right tempered glass. My insurance company view the photo of the sun roof damage and a claim is in the process.
Our car seat is nearly brand new (first used at the end of Sept 2023 upon birth of our daughter) upon placing the car seat in the base, we noticed it wasn’t making the clicking sound indicating a secure lock to base. Upon further investigation it appears the pieces that lock the car seat in place are jammed and not operating properly. If we had gotten in a car accident the car seat would not have been properly secured.
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 not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall related to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V507000 (STRUCTURE) as a possible cause for failure; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
The power electric drive seat becomes loose with time. Very dangerous while braking cause the drive seat moves forward fast, driver feels disoriented to extent feeling unstable and could lead to not appropriately having control over vehicle during brake events. This could lead to hitting front vehicle.
The contact owns a 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH and making a turn, the message "ABS Service Required" was displayed. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact stated that she turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the warning message was turned off. However, the contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the failure was related to Mitsubishi Technical Service Bulletin Numbers: SR-18-008 and SR-18-007. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle in for diagnostic tests whenever the messages were displayed; however, the contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently, and the dealer required scheduling a service appointment in advance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was awaiting a call back. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.
The rear liftgate on this vehicle does not stop if there is an obstruction, i.e., a hand, a head or other body part. Not only does it not stop in case of obstruction, there is no audible sound made to indicate the door is in motion. I was hit in the head hard this morning - hard enough to cause stars and get a nice golf-ball sized bump on my skull. This is dangerous and should be remedied. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. In the parking lot where this occurred, a man saw the entire episode unfold, yelled out to try and stop it from happening, but I didn't realize he was yelling for me. After the incident he advised me the same thing has happened to him.
Throttle/Pedal position sensor switch voltage correlation circuit high input… it has been replaced once at beginning of January and within a week the same issue occurred. The part came from the dealership and pep boys replaced it.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander has 5 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 55 owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander.
The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander are air bags (8 reports), unknown or other (5 reports), structure (5 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 5 recalls on record for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.