Used Car Checklists

2018 Mitsubishi Outlander: What to check before buying

Owners have filed 55 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the airbags, electrical, and exterior lights. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.

Mitsubishi Outlander2018
Owner complaints
55
Recalls
6
Crashes reported
7
8 injuries
Reliability
Good
71/100 on Auto Reliability Index

Run the VIN before you go

A history report shows accidents, title brands, odometer readings, and open recalls for this 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander. Ask the seller for the VIN; it is also on the dash at the base of the windshield.

Your inspection sheet

Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.

0/9 checked

1

Paperwork and questions

Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3

2

Walk-around and cabin

Engine off, key in hand0/1

3

Cold start, engine bay, and underside

Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/2

4

Test drive

At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/3

These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.

Which Outlander is it?

EPA figures for each version of the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.

VersionDriveEPA rating
2.0L 4-cylGas4WD, FWD26–27 mpg
2.4L 4-cylGas4WD, FWD26–27 mpg
3.0L 6-cylGas4WD22 mpg
2.0L 4-cylPlug-in hybridAWD310 mi range
  • The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander was sold in four versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
  • On the plug-in hybrid, watch for the car moving off on electric power at low speed and for any hybrid system warning on the dash.
  • Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Outlander that averages well under the EPA 22 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.

Why these checks: what owners reported

NHTSA complaints for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.

  • Airbags94 crashes

    Front airbags fail to deploy in head-on and front-end crashes, and one report describes only a partial deployment. Several drivers hit the steering wheel and report head, chest, and knee injuries, including concussions. The opposite fault also appears: side curtain airbags fire after a pothole with no collision. Other complaints describe an airbag warning light that flashes or returns for months, stored SRS fault codes that dealers erase without finding a cause, and an "airbag system service required" message. Four of the nine reports involve crashes.

  • Electrical71 crash

    Warning lights for the plug-in hybrid system, stability control, and blind-spot warning come on every few days and switch off safety features, and one dealer failed to fix this after five visits. An airbag light that turns on when the driver's seat slides back leads to wiring repairs and a harness replacement. Other reports describe stalling at stoplights, hard starts, door locks that stop working, and flickering lights. On the highway, a "Propulsion power reduced" message appears and the car loses speed. One crash report says no warning lights came on before impact.

  • Exterior lights51 crash

    Headlights burn out over and over on both sides. Owners describe low beams replaced 3 to 7 times in a single year, and dealer replacements fail again soon after. Drivers often do not notice a dead headlight until someone else, sometimes the police, points it out, which leaves the car poorly lit at night. One complaint filed here actually describes delayed braking during a multi-car collision on a city highway and has nothing to do with lighting.

  • Body and structure5No crashes

    The liftgate drops without warning after it is opened and hits people on the head as they reach into the cargo area. Worn liftgate gas springs come up, with one failure reported at 132,324 miles. A separate complaint says the power liftgate keeps closing when it meets an obstruction and gives no audible warning. Corrosion is another theme: one exhaust snaps in half from rust at 110,000 miles. One report concerns a slow manufacturer reimbursement for springs that were replaced early.

  • Transmission3No crashes

    Engines stall or shut down without warning. Shifting quickly from reverse to drive kills the engine, and the car needs a full restart. This happens from under 50 miles on a new car. Another car dies over a parking-lot bump at 34K miles and will not crank afterward. On the highway at 70 mph, one engine shuts off in traffic after a camshaft failure, ends up needing a replacement engine, and waits on a backordered part. Sudden power loss at speed is a serious crash risk.

  • Seats3No crashes

    The driver's seat comes loose and wobbles or rocks back and forth under acceleration and braking. Some owners notice it within days of buying a new car, and one says the power seat gets looser over time. Hard braking can throw the seat forward, which unsettles the driver and can affect control. Dealer fixes are unsuccessful: one dealer says Mitsubishi told it not to repair the seat yet, and another damages the car while trying.

  • Engine3No crashes

    A camshaft phaser shatters and loses a chunk of metal, which is a serious internal engine failure. Other reports describe slow starts, stalling while driving, and flickering warning lights at startup, with one case at about 65,000 miles. The lower engine heat shield also cracks at its bolt inserts and comes loose, reported at 28,000 miles. The dealer in that case calls for replacement, and the manufacturer offers no help.

  • Suspension2No crashes

    Corrosion under the car leads to replacement of the shocks, struts, and lower control arm. In that case, the car also vibrates and makes abnormal noise above 60 mph. Another complaint describes grinding or loud squeaking from the suspension over speed bumps. The same owner reports stalling on hot days with a mass air flow sensor code that returns after the part is replaced, along with a center-console USB port and interior lights that work only some of the time.

In owners' own words

Excerpts from complaints Outlander owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.

Electrical
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.

Filed with NHTSA, July 2024

Exterior lights
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.

Filed with NHTSA, December 2023

How the 2018 compares with other Outlander years

Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.

The 2018 ranks second for owner complaints among 7 Outlander years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.

2018 Average of other years
  • Airbags94
  • Electrical79
  • Exterior lights50
  • Body and structure512
  • Transmission33
  • Seats30

Where the 2018 fits in the Outlander's history

Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.

The 2018 is the fifth model year of the Outlander's third generation (2014–2024).

It includes the 2016 update.

What changed for 2016

  • Improved noise insulation
  • New design features for interior and exterior

Recalls to confirm (6)

Recall repairs are free at any Mitsubishi dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.

  1. 26V252000Body and structureApr 2026

    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.

    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.

  2. 25V507000Body and structureAug 2025

    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.

    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.

  3. 20V403000Seat beltsJul 2020

    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.

    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.

  4. 18V620000ElectricalSep 2018

    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.

    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.

  5. 18V621000Automatic emergency brakingSep 2018

    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.

    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.

  6. 18V591000EquipmentSep 2018

    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.".

    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.

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2018 owner complaints, side by side