2018 Mitsubishi Outlander
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.

- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV Es Awc, 4dr SUV Se/GT S Awc, PHEV 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl
- Horsepower
- 117–224 hp
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5–7
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline, Plug-in Hybrid, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 27 combined · 25 city / 30 hwy
- Length
- 185 in
- Curb weight
- 3,406–4,178 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 6 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Plug-in hybrid version availableOffered as a plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
- Seats up to 73 rows of seating.
- Few owner complaints93 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 398 for similar models.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 25 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander is a small SUV offered with 3 engines (2.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl and 3.0L 6-cyl), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive, 4-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 185 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 105-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,406 lb (4dr SUV Es Awc).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 27 MPG combined (25 city / 30 highway), 8% better than the 2018 small SUV average of 24.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,500 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned a 4-star overall rating.
It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 93 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2018
- New plug-in hybrid version
- Lightest version 154 lb heavier
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 4 stars overall
Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 Outlander →
Trims, performance & features
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Okazaki, Aichi · Mizushima, Okayama
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2018 Outlander configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV Es Awc | 185 in | 71.3 in | 66.1 in | 105.1 in | 60.6 / 60.6 in | 3,406 lb | 56/44 |
| 4dr SUV Se/GT S Awc | 185 in | 71.3 in | 66.1 in | 105.1 in | 60.6 / 60.6 in | 3,549 lb | 57/43 |
| PHEV 4dr SUV | 185 in | 71.3 in | 67.3 in | 105.1 in | 60.6 / 60.6 in | 4,178 lb | 57/43 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outlander 2WD | 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 / 30 / 27 | +8% | $2,500 | 326 |
| Outlander Sport 2WD | 2.0L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 30 / 27 | +8% | $2,500 | 328 |
| Outlander 4WD | 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | 4-Wheel Drive | 24 / 29 / 26 | +12% | $2,600 | 341 |
| Outlander Sport 4WD | 2.0L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | 4-Wheel Drive | 23 / 29 / 26 | +12% | $2,600 | 343 |
| Outlander Sport 2WD | 2.0L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 29 / 25 | 0% | $2,700 | 347 |
| Outlander Sport 2WD | 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 29 / 25 | 0% | $2,700 | 353 |
| Outlander Sport 4WD | 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | 4-Wheel Drive | 23 / 28 / 25 | +8% | $2,700 | 353 |
| Outlander PHEV Plug-in Hybrid | 2.0L 4-cyl | Automatic (A1) | All-Wheel Drive | 25 / 26 / 25 | +8% | $2,700 | 174 |
| Outlander 4WD | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 22 | -5% | $3,750 | 402 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 16.9% |
| 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 19.1% |


Similar 2018 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander (this car) | 27 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
| 2018 Toyota RAV4 | 32 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2018 Honda CR-V | 30 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2018 Toyota 4Runner | 18 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2018 Hyundai Tucson | 27 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2018 Subaru Forester | 28 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2018 Mazda CX-5 | 29 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
Recalls (6)
Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Support Device/Strut · Apr 20, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V252000 · 108,046 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- MMNA will replace the left and right liftgate gas springs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 17, 2026. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-26-001. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov June 3, 2026. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V507.
Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Support Device/Strut · Aug 7, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V507000 · 121,529 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- MMNA will replace the left and right liftgate gas springs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2025. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-25-002
Seat Belts › Rear/Other › Buckle Assembly · Jul 13, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V403000 · 177,000 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- An unrestrained occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Fix
- MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will modify the second-row center seat belt buckle cover, install a new warning label to the second-row seat support base, and provide a new warning label insert for the owner's manual, free of charge. The recall began September 1, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-20-004.
Forward Collision Avoidance › Software › Pedestrian/Cyclist/Object/Obstacle/ Recognition · Sep 14, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V620000 · 9,166 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 · Sep 14, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V621000 · 58,916 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 system such as automatic emergency braking, Anti-lock Braking (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), or the Brake Auto Hold (BAH) function when any of these systems are in use.
- 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.
Equipment › Other › Labels · Sep 5, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V591000 · 14,791 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
Not every 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 20 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Air Bags — 15 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Engine — 14 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 25,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Outlander years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Outlander | 27 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Outlander | 28 | 185.4 in | Not rated | 1 | 6 |
| 2025 Outlander | 27 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 18 |
| 2024 Outlander | 27 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 27 |
| 2023 Outlander | 27 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 58 |
| 2022 Outlander | 27 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 10 | 229 |
| 2021 Outlander | 27 | 185 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 19 |
| 2020 Outlander | 27 | 185 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 58 |
| 2019 Outlander | 27 | 185 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 56 |
| 2017 Outlander | 27 | 185 in | Not rated | 6 | 78 |
| 2016 Outlander | 27 | 183.5 in | Not rated | 11 | 171 |
| 2015 Outlander | 28 | 183.5 in | Not rated | 12 | 233 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Mitsubishi. How we calculate this →