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2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PhevProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 15 owner complaints about the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Phev, most often about the power train. It is covered by 5 safety recalls, and for recall 25V-507 the manufacturer reports only 23% of affected cars repaired.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls5Lowest repair rate 23%Owner complaints152 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage10kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 20, 2026. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Phev has problems

15 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train52
Service brakes40
Electrical system41
Vehicle speed control40
Fuel/propulsion system31
Visibility/wiper20
Seats10
Structure10
Exterior lighting10
2 other systems21

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

5 recalls

2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Phev recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

11%repaired · 2026 Q3

Hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut

New

Recall 26V-252 · Apr 20, 2026 · 108,046 vehicles · 11,952 repaired

Risk. A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

23%repaired · 2026 Q3

Hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut

Recall 25V-507 · Aug 7, 2025 · 121,529 vehicles · 27,510 repaired

Risk. A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

46%repaired · 2022 Q2

Rear/other: buckle assembly

Recall 20V-403 · Jul 13, 2020 · 177,000 vehicles · 81,797 repaired

Risk. An unrestrained occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

90%repaired · 2020 Q1

Electrical system: software

Recall 18V-620 · Sep 14, 2018 · 9,166 vehicles · 8,259 repaired

Risk. If the FCM-ECU software activates the brake for longer than necessary, the driver may react by applying additional braking.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall
86%repaired · 2020 Q1

Electrical system: software

Recall 18V-621 · Sep 14, 2018 · 58,916 vehicles · 50,830 repaired

Risk. If the safety systems do not function as intended, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mitsubishi.

Best & worst years

2018 vs. every other Outlander Phev year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Outlander Phev median. How we score

'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Phev safety ratings

2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SUV AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

★★★★★Overall rating
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Phev frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crash★★★★★
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Phev side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrier★★★★★
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Phev side pole test, NHTSA
Side pole★★★★★
  • Rollover: 4 stars (13.7% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: Optional
  • Lane departure warning: Optional
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Phev, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Pedestrian alert soundsDP22005 · closed Aug 7, 2023
    Led to recall 22V-063
In owners' words

What Outlander Phev owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I PICKED UP THE CAR FROM THE BODY SHOP CODE ON DASHBOARD EV SYSTEM SERVICE REQUIRED NO GAS OR BATTERY SO WENT TO GAS STATION AND VEHICLE WOULDN'T GO INTO PARK WENT HOME CALLED MY WIFE AND HAD HER COME OUTSIDE SHE HAD TO PUT GAS IN. THEN DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP I HAD MY WIFE GET OUT AND GO GET HELP…
Complaint 11287561 · Dec 6, 2019 · 10,330 miles
STARTED UP THE CAR AND STARTED BACKING UP OUT OF MY GARAGE. WHEN I PUT MY CAR INTO REVERSE I SAW MY CHARGING PORT DOOR OPEN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR AT THIS POINT MY CARS BACK END WAS PARTIALLY STICKING OUT OF THE GARAGE I PUT THE CAR INTO PARK BY PUSHING THE PARK BUTTON, I OPENED THE DOOR…
Complaint 11287508 · Dec 6, 2019 · 10,328 miles
STARTED VEHICLE AND IMMEDIATELY GOT MULTIPLE WARNINGS INCLUDING THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT. WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE THE CAR, IT HAD ALMOST NO ACCELERATION. IT WOULD NOT START THE GAS ENGINE AND THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING WAS DISABLED. THE RBS AND ACC WARNINGS WERE DUE TO THE SYSTEMS BEING DISABLED…
Complaint 11197057 · Apr 17, 2019 · 3,547 miles

Own a 2018 Outlander Phev?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.