The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is associated with 21 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 2 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Air Bags, accounting for 3 reports (14% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 5 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2l 4-cyl and 2.4l 4-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 25 to 27 MPG combined.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 21 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 2 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Air Bags (3 / 14%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 4 crash / 0 fire / 3 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 25–27 MPG (5 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Outlander Sport 2WD | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 24 MPG | 30 MPG | 27 MPG | — | $2,300 / yr |
| Outlander Sport 4WD | 2L 4-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 23 MPG | 29 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $2,350 / yr |
| Outlander Sport 2WD | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 5-spd | 23 MPG | 29 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $2,450 / yr |
| Outlander Sport 2WD | 2.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 23 MPG | 29 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $2,450 / yr |
| Outlander Sport 4WD | 2.4L 4-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 23 MPG | 28 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $2,450 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| SUV FWD | | | | | 19.1% |
| SUV AWD | | | | | 16.900000000000002% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport models.
View complete 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problems & component breakdown (17 categories) →
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Defect 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
Affected Component: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Defect 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 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
View all 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport recalls & campaign history (2 campaigns) →