2018 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER PHEV: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
15 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
10,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 15 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 46.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 20.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 6.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
Power Train: 5; Electrical System: 4; Service Brakes: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Visibility/Wiper: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 12 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 4 |
2018: 3; 2019: 8; 2020: 4
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11133281 · 2018-10-04 (October 4, 2018)
DRIVER'S SIDE GLASS SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD WITH NO ROCK STRIKE. DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 70 MPH WITH SUN ON DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AND AC ON. CAR ONLY ONE MONTH OLD.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11133281 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11140741 · 2018-10-16 (October 16, 2018)
ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS I HAVE RECEIVED A BRAKE ALERT WHEN NOTHING WAS IN MY WAY. TODAY, WHEN DRIVING DOWN A SIDE STREET AT ABOUT 20 MILES PER HOUR, I WAS GIVEN A BRAKE WARNING AND THEN THE AUTOMATIC BRAKES TURNED ON AND MY CAR SKIDDED TO A STOP. I WAS FORTUNATE NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME OR WE WOULD HAVE BEEN REAR-ENDED.
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11140741 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11142788 · 2018-10-26 (October 26, 2018)
PARKED ON A 25% GRADED POINTING DOWN HILL, WHEN I TRIED TO START THE OUTLANDER, THE SCREEN PRODUCED A RBS ERROR. THE GAS BASED ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE EV MOTORS SEEMED TO COME ON WITH VERY LITTLE POWER. WHEN I CALLED MITSUBISI TO TOW THE CAR THEY SAID, OUOTE"THAT DOESN'T NORMALLY START THIS SOON" , THIS TELLS ME THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM. MY PHEV HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SINCE MONDAY, I'M BEING TOLD THEY RESET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ERROR AND THEY DON'T SEE A PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT A FIX. I TOOK PICTURES AFTER I RESTARTED IT THE THIRD T…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11142788 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11166055 · 2019-01-09 (January 9, 2019)
THE CHARGER SUPPLIED BY MITSUBISHI MELTED DURING NORMAL CHARGING. MITSUBISHI HAS STATED THAT THE CORD IS NOT DEFECTIVE AND WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF REPLACEMENT NOR ARE THEY INTERESTED ON THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE CAUSED BY THE LOOSE PLUG TERMINAL AND HOT SPOT.
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11166055 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11197057 · 2019-04-17 (April 17, 2019)
STARTED VEHICLE AND IMMEDIATELY GOT MULTIPLE WARNINGS INCLUDING THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT. WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE THE CAR, IT HAD ALMOST NO ACCELERATION. IT WOULD NOT START THE GAS ENGINE AND THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING WAS DISABLED. THE RBS AND ACC WARNINGS WERE DUE TO THE SYSTEMS BEING DISABLED BECAUSE THE HYBRID SYSTEM WAS NON FUNCTIONAL. IT WAS ALL ON ELECTRIC BUT AT A SEVERELY REDUCED POWER LEVEL. I TRIED TO TURN OFF AND TURN ON THE CAR A FEW TIMES BUT THERE WAS NO CHANGE. I DECIDED TO TRY TO PLUG THE CAR INTO THE CHARGER FOR A MINUT…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,547 miles reported. Look up ODI 11197057 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11203437 · 2019-04-24 (April 24, 2019)
PUT CAR IN DRIVE TOOK OFF ON IT'S OWN WENT UP TO 40 MPH AND STAYED THERE SHOUT IT DOWN AND RESTARTED RAN OK REST OF THE DAY. NEXT MORNING DID SAME THING. I DID THE SOMETHING I DID THE DAY BEFOR. CALLED SERVICE AND MITSUBISHI USA BOTH SAID BRING IT TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SO I STARTED UP THE ROAD AND ON THE INTERSTATE I PUT IT IN CRUISE CONTROL. THERE WASN'T ANYONE IN FRONT OF ME AND THE BRAKES SLAMMED ON. GOOD THING NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME .SO I TOOK IT OUT OF CRUISE CONTROL DROVE ON UP THE ROAD AND THE WIPERS CAME ON IT WASNT RAINING. JUST GO…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11203437 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11218316 · 2019-06-06 (June 6, 2019)
THE FORWARD COLLISION MITIGATION SYSTEM ACTIVATED BRAKING WHEN A MOTORCYCLIST PASSED BETWEEN LANES ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH IN MEDIUM TRAFFIC. THE MOTORCYCLIST PASSED ON MY LEFT AND BRAKES WERE APPLIED BY THE CAR WHEN THE MOTORCYCLIST WAS APPROXIMATELY 20-25FT IN FRONT OF ME.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11218316 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11255931 · 2019-09-16 (September 16, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PHEV. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE FRONT PARKING SENSORS ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATED AND A BEEPING SOUND WAS HEARD ALTHOUGH NO OBJECTS WERE PRESENT IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CORNER STONE MITSUBISHI (580 MAIN ST, WILMINGTON, MA) WHERE THE FRONT PARKING SENSOR WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS WERE VERY LOOSE AND MOVED WHEN BRAKING AND ACCELERATING. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WA…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11255931 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
18V620000 · Forward Collision Avoidance:Software:Pedestrian/Cyclist/Object/Obstacle/ Recognition | Electrical System:Software
Reported: 2018-09-14 (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. 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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V621000 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | Electrical System:Software | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Reported: 2018-09-14 (September 14, 2018)
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.
Consequence: If the safety systems do not function as intended, it can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V403000 · Seat Belts: Rear/Other:Buckle Assembly
Reported: 2020-07-13 (July 13, 2020)
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.
Consequence: An unrestrained occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V507000 · Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut
Reported: 2025-08-07 (August 7, 2025)
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.
Consequence: A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
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 record ↗26V252000 · Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut
Reported: 2026-04-20 (April 20, 2026)
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.
Consequence: A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
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 record ↗