YearToAvoid

2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

83/100

#2 most-complained of 7 Eclipse Cross years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has a Complaint Index of 83, the second-worst among the 7 model years with data, earning an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 19 complaints, 2 recalls, 1 fire, and 1 death, with Electrical System issues being the top problem area at 42% of complaints.

Complaints
19
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
1 / 1
Injuries / deaths
2 / 1
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
26
25 city / 28 hwy

Top 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System8 (42%)
  2. Brakes5 (26%)
  3. Engine5 (26%)
  4. Other4 (21%)
  5. Airbags2 (11%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (11%)
  7. Fuel System2 (11%)
  8. Steering2 (11%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain2 (11%)
  10. Lane Departure1 (5%)

What owners report

  • Owners report headlights failing repeatedly, in one case followed by an electrical burning smell and total loss of vehicle power while driving.
  • The driver's airbag deployed during a low-speed crash, causing injury and hearing loss for the driver.
  • Owners describe cracking or clicking noises from the brakes when starting the car and shifting into reverse.
  • Some owners say the adaptive cruise control's forward collision mitigation system applies the brakes forcefully and unexpectedly on hilly highways.
  • Owners report the fuel gauge dropping rapidly from 50 miles remaining to zero, causing them to run out of gas unexpectedly.
  • One owner described exhaust fumes entering the cabin, causing headaches and fatigue, with dealers unable to resolve the issue.
2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross complaints: complaints filed per month6May 2018Aug 2019Dec 2019Apr 2020Aug 2020May 2021Oct 2022Jul 2025
35 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2018 to Aug 2025; peak Jan 2020 (6).

2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 18V620000Sep 14, 2018Collision Avoidance & Cameras9,166 vehicles

    Forward collision avoidance:software:pedestrian/cyclist/object/obstacle/ recognition

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  2. NHTSA 18V621000Sep 14, 2018Collision Avoidance & Cameras58,916 vehicles

    Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control

    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.

    Risk: 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.

2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross fuel economy and fuel cost

City
25 MPG
Highway
28 MPG
Combined
26 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,500
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2018 compared with other Eclipse Cross years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002018201920202022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2018Avoid8319226
2019Caution6713126
2020Caution505026

All Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross a good year to buy?
No. NHTSA data gives the 2018 model a Complaint Index of 83, the second-worst of the 7 model years tracked, resulting in an Avoid verdict relative to other Eclipse Cross years.
What problems does the 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross have?
Owners most often complained about the Electrical System (42% of complaints, including headlight failures and an electrical burning smell), followed by Brakes and Engine issues (each 26%).
Does the 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for 2018, both involving the Collision Avoidance & Cameras system's Forward Collision Mitigation software and hydraulic control unit, neither classified as do-not-drive.
How many complaints and crashes are linked to the 2018 Eclipse Cross?
NHTSA lists 19 complaints for the 2018 Eclipse Cross, including 1 crash, 1 fire, 2 injuries, and 1 death.
How does the 2018 Eclipse Cross compare to other years?
The 2018 model's Complaint Index of 83 is worse than 2019 (67, Caution), 2020 (17, Best), 2022 (0, Best), and 2023 (33, Good), but better than 2024 (100, Avoid).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.