Problems · NHTSA complaints
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander problems
Owners filed 57 complaints about the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander with NHTSA between May 2018 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is engine (12).
Complaints
57
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
8
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine12
- Air bags10
- Electrical system9
- Structure8
- Exterior lighting5
- Service brakes4
- Seats3
- Power train3
- Wheels3
- Electronic stability control (esc)3
- Suspension2
- Seat belts2
- Vehicle speed control2
- Back over prevention1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
7
9
6
6
3
9
5
8
4
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Engine
12 reports
“Driving down the road and the engine shuts off. Yes its available upon request. I have reported it to my mechanic. The safety is me and others as this has happened 3 times in the past 2 weeks in the middle of traffic. My mechanic has been the only one to look at the car and doesnt know what is wrong. When the car shuts off the battery light comes on and the car said airbag system service required on 09/13/2026 but went off a few hrs later. The problems started on 09/02/2026”
Air bags
10 reports4 crashes
“The contact owns a 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH over a pothole, the driver's side and passenger side curtain airbags erroneously deployed. The contact stated that no collision had occurred prior to the air bags deployment. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failures. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 215,000.”
Electrical system
9 reports1 crash1 related recall
“1. On hot/warm days when I start my vehicle it will run then die and give me the code for Mass air sensor which I replaced but it keeps doing it; the check engine will stay on for a while then turn off until it does it again. 2. When driving and I go over a speed bump the suspension grinds or does a hard squeaking noise. 3. The USB in the center console stops working at times or when move the charging cord it disconnects for a few seconds. 4. Internal lights work when they want to, I thought the bulbs where burnt out and replaced them but they still come on when they want to not everytime a door is opened.”
Structure
8 reports1 crash2 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V252000 (Structure). The contact stated that the dealer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact was informed that there would be a callback to schedule the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
Exterior lighting
5 reports1 crash
“2018 Mitishichi Headlights, left, then right stop working. Dealer replaced first one within 6 months. So far I have replaced one or the other 4 or 5 Times. I did complain to NHTSA . These lights have been out more than they have worked. Google indicates a large number of these issues but no recall from NHTSA.”
Service brakes
4 reports2 crashes
“WITHIN 10,000 MILES OF OWNING MY NEW CAR I NOTICED IT WOULD RANDOMLY STALL SOMETIMES AT THE STOP LIGHT OF AN INTERSECTION. IT DOESN'T TAKE LONG TO START BACK UP. OTHER TIMES MY CAR STRUGGLES TO START ALL TOGETHER. I'LL TURN THE KEY 2-3 TIMES BEFORE IT STARTS. SEVERAL MONTHS WENT BY WHERE THE ISSUE WAS NO LONGER PRESENT BUT OVER THE PAST MONTH IT STARTED AGAIN. LIKELY RELATED TO THE WHETHER NOW THAT WINTER IS NEAR. FINALLY MY EBRAKE HAS NEVER WORKED SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN EARLY 2019 WITH 21K MILES.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.