2018 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER SPORT: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
21 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
50,694 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 21 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 19.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 19.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 14.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
Electrical System: 7; Air Bags: 5; Power Train: 5; Unknown Or Other: 3; Seat Belts: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification: 1; 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 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 12 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 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 5; 2021: 1; 2022: 2; 2023: 3; 2024: 2; 2025: 4; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 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 11142562 · 2018-10-25 (October 25, 2018)
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 RECALL. I DO NOT THINK THAT ANY DEALERSHIP SHOULD TAKE RECALLS AND SAFTEY ISSUES WITH THE RECALLS THE LIGHTLY. THANK YOU
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11142562 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11205710 · 2019-05-06 (May 6, 2019)
PUSH BUTTON START FAILED. DASH MESSAGE "ELECTRICAL FAILURE". CAR WAS PARKED. TRIED TO START. BUTTON STARTED FLASHING AND MESSAGE APPEARED ON DASHBOARD. AFTER SECOND ATTEMPT, HEARD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX AREA.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 11205710 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11302683 · 2020-01-28 (January 28, 2020)
THE TRANSMISSION HAS LESS THEN 100,000 MILES AND HAS GONE OUT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY IT SLIPPED. THEN IN ABOUT 3 MILES ON FILTH STREET WENT OUT COMPLETELY
Owner-reported narrative. 93,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11302683 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11323200 · 2020-05-04 (May 4, 2020)
ON MAY 1, 2020 I DROVE ABOUT 15 MILES FROM MY HOME TO MEDFORD, OREGON. I MADE ONE STOP AND UPON GETTING BACK INTO THE VEHICLE, I COULD NOT START OR TURN OFF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT OF THE VEHICLE. THE MAINFRAME KEPT SHOWING "ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SERVICE REQUIRED" I COULD NOT LOCK THE VEHICLE FOR SAFETY. I COULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE AS IT IS ITS MAIN PURPOSE. I COULD NOT TURN OFF THE UNIT WHICH MOST LIKELY RAN THE BATTERY DOWN AND IS MOST LIKELY DEAD. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP WHICH CANNOT ACCESS RECALL INFORMATION. THEY …
Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11323200 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11323806 · 2020-05-08 (May 8, 2020)
MY 2018 OUTLANDER SPORT SE HAS VERY POOR ACCELERATION WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A COMPLETE STOP. AFTER READING ABOUT A SIMILAR RECALL FOR THE 2015-2016 OUTLANDER SPORT I FEEL MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11323806 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11362358 · 2020-10-02 (October 2, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT THE GEAR FROM DRIVE INTO REVERSE WITH THE FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A HOUSE WALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS BEFORE OR AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT ADVISED THAT THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN REPAIR FACILITY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11362358 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11383834 · 2020-12-16 (December 16, 2020)
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 OPENED. THE SIDE AIRBAGS ON THE VEHICLE DID NOT DEPLOY EVEN AFTER TAKING A DIRECT HIT FROM THE DEER.
Owner-reported narrative. 50,694 miles reported. Look up ODI 11383834 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11425949 · 2021-07-22 (July 22, 2021)
The contact owns a 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the mechanic to have the wheel bearing and front hub replaced, the mechanic found out that the front passenger’s side ABS wheel speed sensor fractured inside the assembly housing. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 97,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11425949 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 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 ↗