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ProblemsByVin File / 2018-MITSUBISHI-OUTLANDER-SPORT NHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Mitsubishi

2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problems

Light NHTSA footprint — 21 owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.

The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has 21 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 5 complaints, typically surfacing around 70,347 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport owner complaints by model year
Model yearOwner complaintsRecalls
2015 Outlander Sport 0 9
2016 Outlander Sport 0 8
2017 Outlander Sport 27 0
2018 Outlander Sport (this page) 21 2
2019 Outlander Sport 26 1
2020 Outlander Sport 26 1
2021 Outlander Sport 17 1
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Photo: オーバードライブ83 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · representative photo of the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
0 5 10
Reliability score
8.4 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
1
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2018 Outlander Sport?
Generally reliable

Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 4 / 5 overall

Overall 4/5
Frontal crash 4/5
Side crash 5/5
Rollover 4/5

Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.

Buying a used 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport? Check these first

Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.

What to inspect on this specific car

⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 70,347 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 8.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is powertrain (~$2,500) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.

We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.

See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →
✦ Ask the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.

Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.

Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.

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Top trouble spots 3 categories with 3+ complaints

airbags
5 reports · fails ~70,347 mi · avg $1,100
severe
powertrain
5 reports · fails ~46,667 mi · avg $2,500
severe
electrical
4 reports · fails ~17,950 mi · avg $850
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2018 Outlander Sport's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2018 Outlander Sport?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2018 Outlander Sport · airbags Crash
The vehicle was traveling at approximately 63 MPH on a rural blacktop, when a white tail deer ran into the side of the vehicle where the drivers side front and rear door meet. The collision caused both door windows to shatter, and the doors are dented so bad they cannot be…
12/16/2020 · at 50,694 mi · NHTSA ODI #11383834.0 · see airbags pattern →
2018 Outlander Sport · powertrain
I am filing this complaint regarding serious safety issues with my 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, VIN: [XXX] , purchased from Carvana in 2019. Recurring transmission problems have created a significant safety risk for me and others. About a year after purchase, the vehicle’s…
2018 Outlander Sport · suspension
I had a recall schedule an appoint with Mitsubishi dealer in des moines, ia * went to my appt today 10-25 and was told they cannot do the recall because the computer they need to reset the software is down. No call or offer to give me a loan car due to the saftey issue of the…
10/25/2018 · NHTSA ODI #11142562.0
2018 Outlander Sport · visibility
The contact owns a 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated that the message "Air Bag System Service Required" was displayed. Additionally, the message "Window Washer Fluid Low" was displayed while there was sufficient washer fluid in the reservoir. The contact…
10/08/2024 · at 62,366 mi · NHTSA ODI #11618718.0
View all 21 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 18V621000 September 14, 2018

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc

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.
moderate NHTSA 18V620000 September 14, 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

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.

Common questions

Is the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.4 out of 10 based on 21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?

On the NHTSA data, the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.4/10 — above the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What should I check before buying a used 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?

Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 5 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 70,347 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.

Is the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport a good used car to buy?

It scores 8.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 21 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 70,347 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.

What's the most common problem on the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 5 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 70,347 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 70,347 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 21 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Mitsubishi/Outlander Sport. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Mitsubishi. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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