2018 Mitsubishi Outlander: common problems and reliability

The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander has 91 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and air bags. Owners most often flag cvt transmission reliability concerns: widespread anxiety about long-term durability, particularly in non-hybrid 4-cylinder models, though specific failure reports are less frequent than the concern. owners stress the necessity of regular fluid changes. frequency: very frequent.

Safety record for the 2018 model year

91
Owner complaints
6
Recalls
12
Crash reports
1
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander vehicles (US, public record).

Is 2018 a good year for the Outlander?

Across the 15 Outlander model years we track, complaint volume runs from 17 (2021) to 462 (2015). With 91 complaints, the 2018 Outlander sits abovethe model's median of 71.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

electrical system
20
air bags
16
engine
13
service brakes
13
power train
13

Recalls affecting the 2018 Outlander

equipment:other:labels

Campaign 18V591000

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

seat belts: rear/other:buckle assembly

Campaign 20V403000

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

electrical system:software

Campaign 18V620000

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) sy

forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control

Campaign 18V621000

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 ve

What owners say across generations

Mixed sentiment with a clear generational divide. The vehicle is consistently praised for its strong value proposition, driven by aggressive pricing, significant dealer discounts, a compelling 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and…

  • CVT transmission reliability concerns: widespread anxiety about long-term durability, particularly in non-hybrid 4-cylinder models, though specific failure reports are less frequent than the concern. Owners stress the necessity of regular fluid changes. Frequency: very frequent.
  • Underpowered 4-cylinder engine: described as sluggish, barely adequate, and struggling with merging/passing, especially in pre-2021 models. Frequency: very frequent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Outlander. See the full Outlander owner picture and every model year.

Typical used price

Used Outlander listings typically run $27,675–$34,020 across 2019 to 2026 model years.

Other Outlander model years

Compare every Outlander year side by side to see how 2018 ranks against the rest.

Compare the Outlander against its rivals