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2018 Mitsubishi Outlander

Plug-in hybrid Gas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
9 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
C
Safety Signal
71 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns 6
Complaints12 crash · 1 fire · 11 injured reported 93
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 27 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander is sold in the U.S. as a plug-in hybrid and gas compact SUV with 9 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Outlander 2WD, is EPA-rated at 27 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 93 complaints, most often about the electrical system. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Mitsubishi Outlander — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
Mitsubishi Outlander · Photo: Alexander Migl · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombRangekWh/100miCharge (240V)Annual fuel*
Outlander PHEVPlug-in hybridAWD2.0L 4-cyl + 60 kW DCPM252625 (37 MPGe blended)22 mi electric453.5 h$2,700
Outlander 2WDGasFWD2.4L 4-cyl253027———$2,500
Outlander Sport 2WDGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl243027———$2,500
Outlander 4WDGas4WD2.4L 4-cyl242926———$2,600
Outlander Sport 4WDGas4WD2.0L 4-cyl232926———$2,600
Outlander Sport 2WDGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl232925———$2,700
Outlander Sport 2WDGasFWD2.4L 4-cyl232925———$2,700
Outlander Sport 4WDGas4WD2.4L 4-cyl232825———$2,700
Outlander 4WDGas4WD3.0L 6-cyl202722———$3,750

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 39830, 39676, 39678, 39687, 39689, 39677, 39679, 39690, 39688.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
Outlander PHEV7 / 10Federal Tier 3 Bin 30 / California LEV-III SULEV30All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standardsSmartWay Elite
Outlander 2WD, Outlander 4WD, Outlander Sport 2WD, Outlander Sport 4WD5 / 10Federal Tier 3 Bin 70 / California LEV-III ULEV70All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
Outlander 4WD, Outlander Sport 2WD5 / 10California LEV-III ULEV70 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 70All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleSport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
Doors5
GVWR classClass 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)

Engine Basics

Cylinders4
Displacement2.4 L
Engine configurationIn-Line

Engine Output

Horsepower166 hp

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Seating

Seat rows3
Seating capacity7 seats

Transmission

Drivetrain4x2

Driver assistance

Standard: Anti-lock brakes, Backup camera, Electronic stability control

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim. Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length185.0 in
Width (body, without mirrors)71.3 in
Height66.1–67.3 in
Wheelbase105.1 in
Track, front60.6 in
Track, rear60.6 in
Curb weight3,406–4,178 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear56/44 to 57/43

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 3 configurations: 4-door SUV Es Awc, 4-door SUV Se/Gt S Awc, PHEV 4-door SUV. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

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What to check before you buy →

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Recalls (6)

Source: NHTSA recall database
●moderate

Structure

SR-26-001
108,046 vehicles 2% reported repaired
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.
NHTSA campaign 26V252000 reported Apr 20, 2026 Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Structure

SR-25-002
121,529 vehicles 21% reported repaired
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
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V507000 reported Aug 7, 2025 Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Seat Belts

SR-20-004
177,000 vehicles 55% reported repaired
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.
NHTSA campaign 20V403000 reported Jul 13, 2020 Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

SR-18-008
58,916 vehicles 86% reported repaired
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.
NHTSA campaign 18V621000 reported Sep 14, 2018 Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Electrical System

SR-18-007
9,166 vehicles 90% reported repaired
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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 18V620000 reported Sep 14, 2018 Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
○minor

Wheels

SR-18-006
14,791 vehicles 98% reported repaired built Aug 8, 2017 – Jul 26, 2018
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.
NHTSA campaign 18V591000 reported Sep 5, 2018 Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

NHTSA defect investigations

Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds closed

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021. On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject mat

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005 · the investigation’s page →

Whether any of this applies to one specific Outlander

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2018 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Mitsubishi publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander

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Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
93complaints filed

12 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 11 injuries · 0 deaths reported

11 per 10,000 built · Mitsubishi reported 84,765 Outlander built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2018: 11 · 2019: 18 · 2020: 15 · 2021: 7 · 2022: 5 · 2023: 12 · 2024: 7 · 2025: 12 · 2026: 6

Most-cited components

Electrical System 20
Air Bags 16
Unspecified 14
Service Brakes 13
Engine 12
Power Train 10

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

The driver seatbelt come unattached while driving. The car looses electric system while driving
Electrical System Feb 7, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11641330
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: ). 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.
Service Brakes Jun 28, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11529355
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
Air Bags Mar 8, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11722776
Cruse control shuts off saying ACC not available during road trips. This is on highways. It happened 5 times during road trip from milwaukee, wisconsin to wausau wisconsin while in motion.. This happens every time I use the cruse control. It happened on the way to wausau and on the way home round trip apx 600 miles this trip
Vehicle Speed Control at 5,000 miles Apr 20, 2021 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11413095
I am filing this complaint regarding serious safety issues with my 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, VIN: , 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.
Power Train Nov 12, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11624824
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.
Forward Collision Avoidance Nov 5, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11553663

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by Mitsubishi itself: 33 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 42 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 39 per 100,000 built. Every Outlander model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 25k

miles, typically

Half the 55 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 10,000 and 54,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

under 10k 15
10k–20k 11
20k–30k 5
30k–40k 5
40k–50k 2
50k–60k 3
60k–70k 2
70k–80k 2
80k–90k 1
90k–100k 4
100k–150k 4
150k + 1

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆16%
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆14%
SUV AWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆17%
SUV FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆18%
SUV FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆19%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 318
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-07-08
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 311 service bulletins, 7 others

Most often about: Equipment, Electrical System, Seats, Power Train, Visibility/Wiper.

  • 2026-07-08 · Unknown Or Other
  • This dealer letter informs dealers that the second edition of the High Voltage Safety online course is now available.
  • TSB-23-55-001 Service bulletin
    2026-02-12 · Visibility/Wiper
  • This revised Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions on how to remedy noise from the HVAC system (heater, air conditioner, ventilation vents) when the blower motor is turned on.
  • 2026-02-12 · Electrical System
  • Tech Talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. It covers various topics and reviews the previous months publications.
  • 2025-11-21 · Seat Belts
  • Tech Talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. It covers various topics and reviews the previous months publications.
  • TIN-25-SR-002A Service bulletin
    2025-10-08 · Structure — Body
  • This Technical Information Notice informs dealers that MMNA is investigating the field performance of certain liftgate gas springs outside the population of vehicles covered by Safety Recall No. SR-25-002.
  • 2025-01-29 · Electrical System
  • Tech Talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. It covers various topics and reviews the previous months publications.
  • 2024-08-07 · Visibility/Wiper
  • Tech Talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. It covers various topics and reviews the previous months publications.
  • TSB-20-54-002REV Service bulletin
    2024-07-23 · Electrical System
  • This Technical Service Bulletin instructs the dealer to update the Smartphone Link Display Audio software to resolve poor sound quality during Hands-free phone calls.

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

CodeWhat it meansMost often filed underWhere it appears
U0141
U0141 on Mitsubishi →
Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Equipment9 bulletins
B1631Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Air Bags1 bulletin · 1 owner report
P0657Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Equipment2 bulletins
P0AA9Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →1 bulletin · 1 owner report

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander failed the emissions check on 3.9% of first inspections — higher than the 3.0% for every 2018 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 3.3% (every 2018 vehicle: 1.9%).

New York inspections 3.9%

failed emissions

3,024 initial inspections of 2,969 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2018 OutlanderEvery 2018 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check3.9%3.0%3,018
Failed the safety inspection3.3%1.9%3,024
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.33%0.22%3,024
Miles driven a year11,48010,002odometer at inspection
Average odometer95,08982,833odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2018 vehicle” is every 2018 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

Common questions about the 2018 Outlander

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 6 recall campaigns for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander. The most serious on file is 20V403000, covering Seat Belts. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander?

NHTSA gave the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 4-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 4-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it C (71/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander?

Across the 9 EPA-rated configurations of the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander, the best EPA combined figure is 27 mpg (MPGe on the electrified versions). Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander?

Transport Canada measured it at 185.0 in long, 71.3 in wide (body, without mirrors), 66.1–67.3 in tall, on a 105.1 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 3,406–4,178 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander?

Owners have filed 93 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander, most often about electrical system, air bags, unspecified. Of those, 12 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 11 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander?

The EPA smog rating for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander runs 5 to 7 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III SULEV30, California LEV-III ULEV70, Federal Tier 3 Bin 30, Federal Tier 3 Bin 70 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander?

The manufacturer has filed 318 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander, most often covering equipment, electrical system, seats. The most recent is dated 2026-07-08. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander failed the emissions check on 3.9% of first inspections — higher than the 3.0% for every 2018 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 3.3% (every 2018 vehicle: 1.9%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations9 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates9 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls6NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints93NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings5 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins318NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations1NHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationOpen and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative.
Driver-assist crash reportsnoneNHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA11 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

JSON for this page · API