Is the 2018 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER reliable?

The 2018 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER has 80 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER?

Top problems: ENGINE (11 complaints, avg repair $500); AIR BAGS (10 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (9 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER?

Yes, there are 6 recall(s): EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT, STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT. Contact any Mitsubishi dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER?

The 2018 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER gets 27 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1778. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2018 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER is approximately $1,723/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2018 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER has 80 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.3x the segment average of 62. The most common issue is engine problems (14% of all complaints), specifically: while driving if key is hit, the car will shut off.. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year.

11 crash reports 10 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

1.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

11 complaints

14%

• WHILE DRIVING IF KEY IS HIT, THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF.
• WHEN REVERSING THE VEHICLE IF YOU SWITCH IT INTO DRIVE TO FAST THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLS OUT, REQUIRING YOU TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, SHUT IT OFF, RESTART THE VEHICLE THEN GO. THIS IS COMPLETELY DANGEROUS. IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN AND SHOULD NOT BE HAPPEN ON A BRAND NEW VEHICLE. THI
• 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 W

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WHILE DRIVING IF KEY IS HIT, THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER

Based on 46 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 25K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 28K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 37K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 20K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

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 (6)

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS05/09/2018

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Mitsubishi Outlander vehicles equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels. The Certification Label lists an incorrect rear wheel rim size. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Risk: The incorrect rim size information on the label can cause the operator to replace the rim with an incorrect rim size, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: MMNA will notify owners and send them a corrected certification label, free of charge. Owners can also choose to have the label replaced by a dealer, free of charge. The recall began September 26, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-006.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,778

Per month

$148

Per mile

14.8¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,920/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,600/yr

Based 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 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,723

Full coverage / month

$144

Liability only / year

$626

vs US avg

+3%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1723

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Mitsubishi New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

5 yr / 60K mi

Powertrain

10 yr / 100K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

7 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / unlimited mi

10 year powertrain not transferable

These are the terms for a new Mitsubishi. If you're buying a used 2018 OUTLANDER, 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

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 80 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: WHILE DRIVING IF KEY IS HIT, THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: TAKATA RECALL.. I WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V621000 (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). WHILE DRIVING 28 MPH, THE VEHIC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: ON 27MAY2018, I STARTED MY 2018 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PHEV AND PUT IT IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF THE GARAGE. FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, THE ALARM DINGED AND THE CAR WOULD NOT REVERSE. MY CONSOLE INDICATED THE CHARGE CORD WAS STILL PLUGGED IN. SO I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR TO UNPLUG THE CORD, NOT REALIZING
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Mitsubishi dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)