NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 15 owner complaints for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid. Most complaints involve power train (5) and vehicle speed control (4). NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
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.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“STARTED UP THE CAR AND STARTED BACKING UP OUT OF MY GARAGE. WHEN I PUT MY CAR INTO REVERSE I SAW MY CHARGING PORT DOOR OPEN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR AT THIS POINT MY CARS BACK END WAS PARTIALLY STICKING OUT OF THE GARAGE I PUT THE CAR INTO PARK BY PUSHING THE PARK BUTTON, I OPENED THE DOOR GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND LEFT THE DOOR OPEN AND STARTED TO WALK DOWN THE DRIVER SIDE TOWARDS THE BACK END OF THE CAR I GOT OUTSIDE THE GARAGE RIGHT NEXT TO THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT, AND THE CAR WENT INTO REVERSE AND DROVE OUT OF THE GARAGE IT TOOK THE DOOR AND BENT IT BACK TO THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT FENDER AND KEPT GOING ALMOST RAN ME OVER I HAD TO RUN AND JUMP IN THE CAR AND SLAM ON THE BRAKES. I CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND THEY HAD A TOW TRUCK PICK IT UP THE NEXT DAY AND BRING IT UP TO THE DEALERSHIP MY FRIEND PICKED ME UP AND BROUGHT ME TO THE DEALERSHIP SO I COULD TELL THEM WHAT HAPPENED AND THEY TOLD ME THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE AND TO CALL MITSUBISHI CORPORATE SO I DID. THE DEALERSHIP HAD MY VEHICLE FOR A TOTAL OF 46 DAYS BETWEEN THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND HAVING THE BODY REPAIRED WHICH MY INSURANCE PAID FOR AND I HAD TO PAY THE DEDUCTIBLE MITSUBISHI WOULD NOT PAY…”
“THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN TO 20 MPH WHEN THE OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS NEAR 95 DEG F AND THE ROAD SLIGHTLY UPHILL. A MESSAGE CAME ON THE DASHBOARD THAT READ LIMITED PROPULSION. IT HAPPENED ON I-15 ON THE WAY TO VEGAS LAST SEPTEMBER. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH BBB AND THE ANSWER I GOT FROM MITSUBISHI WAS THAT IT IS DESIGNED THAT WAY. I HAVE A COPY OF THE MITSUBISHI MANUAL STATING THAT. I WROTE LETTERS WITH NO ACTION. THIS ALREADY HAPPENED TWICE. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR IN HOT WEATHER. SEE THE ATTACHED 5 DETAILED FILES FOR INFO. *TR”
“I PICKED UP THE CAR FROM THE BODY SHOP CODE ON DASHBOARD EV SYSTEM SERVICE REQUIRED NO GAS OR BATTERY SO WENT TO GAS STATION AND VEHICLE WOULDN'T GO INTO PARK WENT HOME CALLED MY WIFE AND HAD HER COME OUTSIDE SHE HAD TO PUT GAS IN. THEN DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP I HAD MY WIFE GET OUT AND GO GET HELP SHE CAME OUT WITH A SALESMAN. HE SAW WHAT WAS GOING ON SO HE CALLED THE MANAGER AND ASKED HIM WHAT TO DO. HE TOLD HIM TO TAKE THE CAR AND GIVE ME A LOANER. THE ONLY WAY TO SWITCH WAS EMERGENCY BRAKE. WOULDN'T GO INTO PARK/NEUTRAL. WENT INSIDE ASKED MANAGER COME OUTSIDE AND SEE THE CAR AND HE SAID THAT DOESN'T MATTER TO ME, WHAT THE F*** DO I CARE ABOUT THAT IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ME! SO I WENT BACK OUTSIDE THE SALESMAN DROVE INTO SERVICE GIVE LOANER. THE NEXT DAY THE SALESMAN TOLD ME NOTHING'S WRONG WITH THE CAR PICK IT UP. I HAVE VIDEOS OF THIS EVENT HAPPENING AND CORPORATE CLOSED MY CLAIM AND TOLD THE DEALERSHIP THERE IS NOTHING FOR THEM TO DO BECAUSE ITS FINE AND THE VIDEO FOOTAGE WAS NOT ENOUGH PROOF AND NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR. I REOPENED THE CLAIM, I WANTED TO TALK TO A HIGHER UP MEMBER OF MANAGEMENT, I ASKED CORPORATE IF I COULD KEEP THE LOANER UNTIL RESOLUTION…”
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
5 safety recalls as of Nov 14, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 15 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (5), vehicle speed control (4), electrical system (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid 5 out of 5 stars overall.