Research Another Vehicle

Executive Vehicle Verdict

The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander is associated with 70 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 6 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database.

The most frequently reported component area is Air Bags, accounting for 8 reports (11% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 9 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2l 4-cyl, 2.4l 4-cyl, 2L 4-Cyl plug-in hybrid, and 3l 6-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 22 to 27 MPG combined. Plug-in hybrid variants are rated up to 74 MPGe (25 MPG on gasoline) with up to 22 miles of electric driving range.

Official Federal Record Profile
  • • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 70 consumer reports filed
  • • Safety Recall Campaigns: 6 official campaigns
  • • Primary Defect Domain: Air Bags (8 / 11%)
  • • Field Incident Signals: 8 crash / 1 fire / 7 injury reports
  • • NCAP Crash Safety: 4 / 5 Stars Overall Laboratory Score
  • • EPA Certified Range: 22–27 MPG across 9 powertrain trims
Directly compiled from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA NCAP, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.

What is the fuel economy and range of the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander?

Official EPA laboratory test ratings, electric driving range, and annual energy cost estimates by certified vehicle variant

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 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 2L 4-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (AV-S6) 23 MPG 29 MPG 26 MPG — $2,350 / yr
Outlander Sport 4WD 2.4L 4-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (AV-S6) 23 MPG 28 MPG 25 MPG — $2,450 / yr
Outlander 2WD 2.4L 4-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (AV-S6) 25 MPG 30 MPG 27 MPG — $2,300 / yr
Outlander 4WD 2.4L 4-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (AV-S6) 24 MPG 29 MPG 26 MPG — $2,350 / yr
Outlander PHEV Plug-in Hybrid 2L 4-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (A1) 78 MPGe (25 MPG) 70 MPGe (26 MPG) 74 MPGe (25 MPG) 22 mi EV (310 mi total) $2,450 / yr
Outlander 4WD 3L 6-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) 20 MPG 27 MPG 22 MPG — $3,450 / 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.
Electric Range & Charging: The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander provides an official EPA-rated driving range of up to 22 miles on a single battery charge.

What are the crash test safety ratings for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander?

Official 5-Star Safety Ratings evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant Overall Rating Frontal Crash Side Crash Rollover Rating Rollover Risk
SUV FWD 18.5%
SUV AWD 16.400000000000002%
PHEV SUV AWD 13.700000000000001%
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 models.
View complete 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander crash test & safety breakdown →

What defect complaints are reported for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander?

Summary of 70 verified consumer defect submissions filed with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Total Complaints
70
Crash Reports
8
Fire Reports
1
Complaints w/ Injury
7
Total Injuries
8

Top Reported Problem Categories

Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA

Air Bags 8 complaints (3 crashes)
Structure & Body 5 complaints
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 4 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 4 complaints
Engine 3 complaints

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 problems & component breakdown (37 categories) →

Are there open safety recalls on the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander?

Manufacturer safety recall campaigns monitored and recorded by NHTSA

NHTSA Campaign #26V252000 Active Recall
Affected Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT

Defect Summary: 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.

Free Manufacturer 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.
NHTSA Campaign #25V507000 Active Recall
Affected Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT

Defect 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 cylinders may corrode and lose pressure, which can result in a gas spring cylinder rupture or the liftgate falling unexpectedly.

Free Manufacturer 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
NHTSA Campaign #20V403000 Active Recall
Affected Component: SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Defect 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.

Free Manufacturer 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.
View all 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander recalls & campaign history (6 campaigns) →
Search Intelligence

Quick Answers: Key Questions Drivers Ask About the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander

Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander

How many safety recalls does the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander have?

The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander is associated with 6 official NHTSA safety recall campaigns in AutoUtility's current federal records.

If your individual vehicle is affected by an open safety recall, NHTSA advises owners to contact an authorized franchised dealership for the recall remedy at no charge. Because recall campaigns apply to specific production runs and equipment batches, vehicle owners should verify their 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov.

Source: NHTSA Safety Recalls Database (49 U.S.C. 30118)

What are the most common problems reported for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander?

NHTSA records list 70 consumer defect complaints for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander. The most frequently referenced vehicle system is Air Bags, appearing in 8 filings (11% of submissions).

Consumer complaints represent unverified owner submissions filed under federal reporting guidelines and describe reported component behavior rather than audited failure rates.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander?

Under the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander earned Overall Safety Ratings ranging from 4 to 5 stars depending on tested variant across 3 tested configuration(s).

Laboratory evaluations include a 35 mph frontal barrier crash, side barrier and pole impact tests, and static rollover resistance assessments.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)

What fuel economy (MPG) does the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander get?

Official EPA laboratory estimates for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander range from 22 to 27 MPG combined (55% city / 45% highway weighted) depending on engine, transmission, and drivetrain configuration.

Using AutoUtility's standardized operating cost model (15,000 miles/year, $3.50/gal gas, $0.16/kWh electricity), annual energy expenditures range across certified configurations based on official EPA laboratory test baselines.

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov Certified Database
Official US Government Data Provenance

The specifications, safety ratings, defect reports, and recall campaigns published on this page are retrieved directly from official United States Government agency databases:

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI): Consumer complaints and defect reports.
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP): Frontal, side, and rollover 5-Star crash safety test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / FuelEconomy.gov: Standardized multi-cycle dynamometer fuel economy, MPGe, and electric driving range ratings.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.