2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Safety Report
2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (5) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (55) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 7 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Air Bags | Compare air bags issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2020 | Compare against the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander with 27 complaints and 2 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2015 | Check the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander before buying across this generation. |
Mitsubishi Outlander Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Mitsubishi Outlander years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander | 29 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander | 49 | 5 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander | 27 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander | 167 | 7 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander | 231 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander | 197 | 7 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Air Bags
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Mitsubishi onlyStructure
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure issues Mitsubishi onlyUnknown Or Other
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Mitsubishi onlyExterior Lighting
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Exterior Lighting issues Mitsubishi onlySeats
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Seats issues Mitsubishi onlyEngine
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Mitsubishi onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander
Reliability Score
The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander receives a reliability score of 75 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bag Malfunction Air bags have been reported to trigger repeatedly, posing a safety risk. |
High | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Structural Issues Structural issues, particularly with the body hatchback/liftgate, have been identified. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Problems Electrical system software problems have been noted, leading to propulsion power reduction and difficulty accelerating on the interstate. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Seat Belt Assembly Malfunction Seat belt assembly malfunctions have been reported. |
Low | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander:
Air bag malfunctions have been reported, including repeated triggering.
Structural issues, particularly with the body hatchback/liftgate, have been identified.
Electrical system software problems have been noted.
Seat belt assembly malfunctions have been reported.
Recall Details for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander
The following 5 recalls have been issued for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander by NHTSA:
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 ...
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
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.
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.
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 syste...
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 5 complaints involved crashes. 6 reported injuries or fatalities.
See attached document for complaint
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 char...
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 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, ...
The contact owns a 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while the front tires were being replaced, corrosion was found underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving over 60 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. In addition, the vehicle vibrated ab...
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. Afte...
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 ...
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.
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. Th...
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 se...
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 ...
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 diagnost...
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. M...
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.
2018 Mitishichi Headlights, left, then right stop working. Dealer replaced first one within 6 months. So far I have replaced one or the other 4 or 5 Times. I did complain to NHTSA . These lights have been out more than they have worked. Google indicates a large number of these issues but no recall from NHTSA.
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...
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 h...
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 ...
I have a safety recall on my vehicle. Mitsubishi says I will have to dry from oklahoma to Arkansas because they no longer have places in Oklahoma that will fix a recall. But there are many dealerships that are selling Mitsubishis. Those dealerships also tell me I would have to take it to Arkansas. This is a huge problem, I bought this car brand new and unable to get recalls fixed on it unless I dr...
Showing 20 of 55 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander
Has the 2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER been recalled?
Yes, the 2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER has 5 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER have?
The 2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER has 55 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 7 involved crashes. 8 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER?
The 2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER involve air bags (8 complaints), structure (5 complaints), unknown or other (5 complaints). Other affected components include exterior lighting, seats, engine.
How many crash reports does the 2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER have?
There are 7 crash reports associated with the 2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER out of 55 total complaints (12.7% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER have?
There are no fire reports for the 2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER?
8 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER is acceptable with caveats. It has 55 complaints, 5 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER are: 1. AIR BAGS (8 complaints), 2. STRUCTURE (5 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (5 complaints), 4. EXTERIOR LIGHTING (4 complaints), 5. SEATS (3 complaints). AIR BAGS is the single most-reported problem area with 8 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER?
Be cautious of air bag malfunctions and structural issues, especially with the body hatchback/liftgate. Regular maintenance is crucial to address electrical and seat belt problems. The 2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER has 55 NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).
How reliable is the 2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER?
The 2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER receives a reliability score of 75/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 55 owner complaints, 5 recalls, and 7 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Air Bag Malfunction and Structural Issues.
What are the known issues with the 2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER?
Known issues with the 2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER include: Air Bag Malfunction, Structural Issues, Electrical System Problems, Seat Belt Assembly Malfunction. These are based on patterns found across 55 NHTSA complaints. 5 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are air bags prone to malfunction in the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander?
Yes, air bags have been reported to trigger repeatedly, posing a safety risk.
What structural issues have been identified in the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander?
Structural issues, particularly with the body hatchback/liftgate, have been identified.
Are there any known electrical system problems with the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander?
Yes, electrical system software problems have been noted, leading to propulsion power reduction and difficulty accelerating on the interstate.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of air bag malfunctions and structural issues, especially with the body hatchback/liftgate. Regular maintenance is crucial to address electrical and seat belt problems.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander. The data includes 55 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 5 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 7 reported crashes, 8 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16