2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (4) · Air Bags (2) · Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mitsubishi Outlander Sport model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Forward Collision Avoidance:software:pedestrian/Cyclist/Object/Obstacle/ Recognition 2018-09-14 · campaign 18V620000 · 9,166 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control 2018-09-14 · campaign 18V621000 · 58,916 vehicles
Defect: 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 syste
Risk: If the safety systems do not function as intended, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (103)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Seat Belts 2025-11-21 · TECH TALK 289 · Other
tech talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. it covers various topics and reviews the previous months publications.
Visibility/Wiper 2024-08-07 · TECH TALK 281 · Other
tech talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. it covers various topics and reviews the previous months publications.
Electrical System 2024-07-23 · TSB-19-54-013REV · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this technical service bulletin instructs the dealer to update the smartphone link display audio software to resolve several issues.
Power Train 2024-06-03 · TSB-24-23-004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service manual revision - this technical service bulletin provides corrections to the description of special tools used to install the oil seal within the automatic transaxle sections of the applicable service manuals.
Power Train 2024-03-25 · TSB-20-23-001RV4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service manual revision - this technical service bulletin instructs dealers to diagnose and test drive vehicles exhibiting a shudder or surge condition possibly caused by poor reaction of the hydraulic pressure circuit.
Power Train 2024-03-04 · TSB-20-23-001REV · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service manual revision - this technical service bulletin instructs dealers to diagnose and test drive vehicles exhibiting a shudder or surge condition possibly caused by poor reaction of the hydraulic pressure circuit.
Showing the 6 most recent of 103 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-03-08 · Unknown Or Other“air bag symbol is lit on dash. technicians unable to find issue, nor were they able to reset light. i feel the importance of said system functioning properly needs addressed. not just we e can't find what is wrong.nothing else we can do. no, that's b s …”
2026-03-06 · Seat Belts“center seat belt will not retract, causing the belt to be unusable and unsafe.…”
2025-08-08 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“this is a follow-up and correction to a complaint previously submitted for vin [xxx] regarding airbag non-deployment during a passenger-side t-bone collision on [xxx]. a [xxx] child was properly restrained in a rear-facing car seat in the rear passenger-side seat. the vehicle was struck directly on the passenger side at an estimated 30 mph. the …”
2025-08-08 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“on 05aug25, my wife was involved in a frontal collision while driving our 2018 mitsubishi outlander sport. the vehicle struck another vehicle at an estimated speed of over 30 mph, resulting in significant damage to the front passenger side, including deformation of the hood and front quarter panel. despite the severity of the impact, no airbags dep…”
2025-02-10 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification · 90,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 mitsubishi outlander sport. the contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the air bag light warning light was illuminated. the contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. the contact was informed that the air bag sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. …”
2025-02-07 · Seats“the driver seatbelt come unattached while driving. the car looses electric system while driving …”
2024-11-12 · Power Train“i am filing this complaint regarding serious safety issues with my 2018 mitsubishi outlander sport, vin: [xxx] , purchased from carvana in 2019. recurring transmission problems have created a significant safety risk for me and others. about a year after purchase, the vehicle’s transmission began failing, and i replaced it in 2021. despite this, th…”
2024-10-08 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer · 62,366 mi“the contact owns a 2018 mitsubishi outlander sport. the contact stated that the message "air bag system service required" was displayed. additionally, the message "window washer fluid low" was displayed while there was sufficient washer fluid in the reservoir. the contact related the failure to nhtsa campaign number: 18v621000 (forward collision av…”
2023-11-05 · Unknown Or Other“i was parked in my family yard and my dash service symbols just came on 5 at once. i have not been involved in any collision or any trauma to the vehicle.those lights are the fcm, lfw, ahb, and asc service required lights. the fcm will come on go off and come back on. i am concerned that these issues can cause a crash or other issue on road. i have…”
2023-06-28 · Steering“i am a us army veteran and i need your help with the following situation. i bought a mitsubishi 2018 outlander sport from the manati cooperative in april 2019(vin: [xxx]). this vehicle had a recall since september 14, 2018 and i got it april 2019 with electromechanical defects that cause death driving and are a deadly danger. and now the mitsubishi…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.