YearToAvoid

2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

57/100

#7 most-complained of 15 Outlander Sport years

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

The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has 21 owner complaints and 2 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 57 out of 100 — #7 highest of 15 Outlander Sport model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is electrical system (7 complaints, 33% of the total). Complaints report 4 crashes and 3 injuries.

Complaints
21
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
4 / 0
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
25
23 city / 29 hwy

Top 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problems

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

  1. Electrical System7 (33%)
  2. Airbags6 (29%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain5 (24%)
  4. Brakes4 (19%)
  5. Other3 (14%)
  6. Engine2 (10%)
  7. Seat Belts2 (10%)
  8. Structure & Body2 (10%)
  9. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (5%)
  10. Lane Departure1 (5%)
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport complaints: complaints filed per month4Oct 2018May 2020Jul 2021Jan 2023Oct 2024Aug 2025
36 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2018 to Mar 2026; peak May 2020 (4).

2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 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 Outlander Sport fuel economy and fuel cost

City
23 MPG
Highway
29 MPG
Combined
25 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,600
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 Outlander Sport years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2016Good3626825
2017Caution5027025
2018Caution5721225
2019Avoid9326125
2020Caution6426125.5

All Mitsubishi Outlander Sport years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport ranks #7 of 15 among Outlander Sport model years (Complaint Index 57/100, verdict: Caution). It has 21 complaints and 2 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?
The most reported problem areas are electrical system (7 complaints), airbags (6 complaints), and transmission & powertrain (5 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 50,694 miles.
Does the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, most recently reported 2018, covering collision avoidance & cameras.
What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?
EPA rates the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport at 25 MPG combined (23 city / 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,600. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

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.