CSR

Mitsubishi · NHTSA safety record

2018 Mitsubishi Outlander

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 57 safety complaints about the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander with the US government. Of those, 7 describe a crash, 8 people were injured and no death is recorded. 6 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 12 complaints, 21% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 27,500 miles, the median across the 32 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers May 2018 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

57 complaints on file

57

Complaints

7

Describe a crash

0

Mention fire

8

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 12 · 21%
AIR BAGS 10 · 18%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9 · 16%
STRUCTURE 8 · 14%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 8 · 14%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 5 · 9%
SERVICE BRAKES 4 · 7%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 3 · 5%
POWER TRAIN 3 · 5%
SEATS 3 · 5%
WHEELS 3 · 5%
SEAT BELTS 2 · 4%
0 8 15

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 57.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2019 at 9.

12 9 6 3
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2018 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2018 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test SUV AWD SUV FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 16.4% 18.5%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

6 on file

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT

26V252000 · April 20, 2026

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

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. · up to 108,046 vehicles across all model years covered

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT

25V507000 · August 7, 2025

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

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. · up to 121,529 vehicles across all model years covered

SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

20V403000 · July 13, 2020

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

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. · up to 177,000 vehicles across all model years covered

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

18V621000 · September 14, 2018

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

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. · up to 58,916 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

18V620000 · September 14, 2018

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. · up to 9,166 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

18V591000 · September 5, 2018

The 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."
The 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.
The 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.

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. · up to 14,791 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed · 53,000 miles

TL* 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 TO SPIN THE CONTACT VEHICLE IN A CIRCLE, AND PUSHED THE CONTACT VEHICLE INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE DRIVER AIR BAG, PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG, THE STEERING AIR BAG, THE SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, DRIVER SUSTAINED DISK, INJURY, HEAD TRAUMA, CONCUSSION, EARS RINGING, MEMORY LOST, NECK, BACK INJURY, CAN NOT LOOK INTO BRIGHT LIGHT.

NHTSA complaint 11327258, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 2,700 miles

TAKATA RECALL.. I WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA complaint 11113921. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 injured · crash · towed · 13,000 miles

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 VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TOWED FROM THE SCENE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000. *JS *JS

NHTSA complaint 11192398. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 14,000 miles

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 AROUND TO SEE THE AIRBAG ONLY PARTIALLY DEPLOYED. FROM THERE, MY VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. NOW, AFTER REQUESTING MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO DEMAND A SAFETY INSPECTION FROM THE MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP TO NO AVAIL, I'VE CONTACTED MITSUBISHI CORPORATE AND GAVE THEM MY ACCIDENT REPORT WITH HIGH CONCERN IN REGARDS TO THE RECALL #18V621. I HAVE OFFERED TO TOW MY OUTLANDER TO THE

NHTSA complaint 11202533, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Driving down the road and the engine shuts off. Yes its available upon request. I have reported it to my mechanic. The safety is me and others as this has happened 3 times in the past 2 weeks in the middle of traffic. My mechanic has been the only one to look at the car and doesnt know what is wrong. When the car shuts off the battery light comes on and the car said airbag system service required on 09/13/2026 but went off a few hrs later. The problems started on 09/02/2026

NHTSA complaint 11764435. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V252000 (Structure). The contact stated that the dealer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact was informed that there would be a callback to schedule the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA complaint 11763078. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE
See attached document for complaint

NHTSA complaint 11718511. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
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.

NHTSA complaint 11716927. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

215,000 miles

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.

NHTSA complaint 11705401. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE

132,324 miles

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.

NHTSA complaint 11702425. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Mitsubishi Outlander

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 15 1 —
2024 26 1 —
2023 47 2 —
2022 216 7 —
2020 31 3 —
2019 29 5 —
2017 51 6 —
2016 145 8 —
2015 53 5 —
2014 45 4 —
2013 26 5 —
2012 22 6 —
2011 58 8 —
2010 60 10 —

Other 2018 Mitsubishi models

Every Mitsubishi on this site — 46 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst