2018 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER SPORT
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2018 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER SPORT has 37 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.9x the segment average of 42. The most common issue is electrical problems (19% of all complaints), specifically: push button start failed. dash message "electrical failure". car was parked. tried to start. button started flashing and message appeared on dashboard. after second attempt, heard an electrical short behind the glove box area.. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.
37
Total Complaints
2
Recalls Issued
4/5
Safety Stars
0.9x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ELECTRICAL
7 complaints- • PUSH BUTTON START FAILED. DASH MESSAGE "ELECTRICAL FAILURE". CAR WAS PARKED. TRIED TO START. BUTTON STARTED FLASHING AND MESSAGE APPEARED ON DASHBOARD. AFTER SECOND ATTEMPT, HEARD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX AREA.
- • ON MAY 1, 2020 I DROVE ABOUT 15 MILES FROM MY HOME TO MEDFORD, OREGON. I MADE ONE STOP AND UPON GETTING BACK INTO THE VEHICLE, I COULD NOT START OR TURN OFF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT OF THE VEHICLE. THE MAINFRAME KEPT SHOWING "ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SERVICE REQUIRED" I COULD NOT LOCK THE VEHICLE FOR SAF
- • On 07/01/2022 low beam & high beams went out at the same time. Driving without headlights at night when they went out. Could have hit anything not knowing I didn't have any lights. Someone yelled at me from another vehicle to let me know my lights wasn't on keep turning lights on nothing. Made appt.
“PUSH BUTTON START FAILED. DASH MESSAGE "ELECTRICAL FAILURE". CAR WAS PARKED. TRIED TO START. BUTTON STARTED FLASHING AND MESSAGE APPEARED ON DASHBOARD. AFTER SECOND ATTEMPT, HEARD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX AREA.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2018 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER SPORT
Based on 14 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 45K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (2)
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.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER SPORT
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER SPORT
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Mitsubishi New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
10 year powertrain not transferable
These are the terms for a new Mitsubishi. If you're buying a used 2018 OUTLANDER SPORT, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Mitsubishi dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 37 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ELECTRICAL: PUSH BUTTON START FAILED. DASH MESSAGE "ELECTRICAL FAILURE". CAR WAS PARKED. TRIED TO START. BUTTON STARTED FLASHING AND MESSAGE APPEARED ON DASHBOARD. AFTER SECOND ATTEMPT, HEARD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX AREA.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐AIR BAGS: THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 63 MPH ON A RURAL BLACKTOP, WHEN A WHITE TAIL DEER RAN INTO THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT AND REAR DOOR MEET. THE COLLISION CAUSED BOTH DOOR WINDOWS TO SHATTER, AND THE DOORS ARE DENTED SO BAD THEY CANNOT BE OPENED. THE SIDE AIRBAGS O
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: THE TRANSMISSION HAS LESS THEN 100,000 MILES AND HAS GONE OUT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY IT SLIPPED. THEN IN ABOUT 3 MILES ON FILTH STREET WENT OUT COMPLETELY
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BRAKES: I HAD A RECALL SCHEDULE AN APPOINT WITH MITSUBISHI DEALER IN DES MOINES, IA * WENT TO MY APPT TODAY 10-25 AND WAS TOLD THEY CANNOT DO THE RECALL BECAUSE THE COMPUTER THEY NEED TO RESET THE SOFTWARE IS DOWN. NO CALL OR OFFER TO GIVE ME A LOAN CAR DUE TO THE SAFTEY ISSUE OF THE RECALL. I DO NOT THIN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Mitsubishi dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Mitsubishi OUTLANDER SPORT — Year Comparison
How does 2018 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 37
- Recalls
- 2
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 4
- Injury reports
- 3
- Segment avg
- 42
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2018 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER SPORT