The Lemon IndexAll carsMitsubishiOutlander Sport2018
201720191st generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: transmission & drivetrain
Fewest complaints of its generation (1st generation).
8 owner complaints, first 3 years 25–27 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2018 Nissan Kicks 1612018 Mazda CX-9 562018 Mitsubishi Outlander 102
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 7 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 18V620000 (electrical) and 18V621000 (automatic emergency braking) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any shudder, whine or slipping from the CVT? Ask for CVT fluid service records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Mitsubishi sent dealers 103 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “This is a Technical Information Notice sent to dealers”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Mitsubishi's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 8 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 7K to 93K miles (11K to 150K km) on the car (7 of all 8 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
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
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport owner · NHTSA complaint 11302683
More owner reports
My 2018 Outlander Sport se has very poor acceleration when taking off from a complete stop. After reading about a similar recall for the 2015-2016 Outlander Sport I feel my vehicle is experiencing the same symptoms.
NHTSA complaint 11323806
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 11205710
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 8.9M views · 2011–2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
- Gauges, lights & wiring630K views
How to reset oil light: 2011-Present Mitsubishi Outlander SportUncharted Adventures WV · 493K views · 3 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical345K views
2019 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport No Crank - Battery Light On - Towed In DiagnosisSouth Main Auto LLC · 128K views · 7 videos - Oil changes & service102K views
How to: Change the Oil on a Mitsubishi Outlander Sport (2015)LittleFixersClub · 87K views · 2 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door45K views
2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport A/C Not WorkingAl Young Cuda · 32K views · 2 videos
Show 3 more
- Transmission & shifter43K views
2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT | MOTOR MOUNTS & TRANSMISSION MOUNTS REPAIR | Howto/DiyThe PullUpKing 👨🏾🔧 · 24K views · 2 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank12K views
2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. Recall. Alert. Crank no start. Attention! Fuel pump recalls!TS Mobile Mechanic · 12K views - Driveshaft, axles & 4x49K views
2011–2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport CV Axle Replacement DIYKevins Mobile Automotive Repair · 9K views
Before you buy, watch
Is the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Reliable?Rogan's Rated Car · 46K views
2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport blower motor problemsDriveway Mechanic · 17K views
2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE AWD Premium Start Up, Exhaust, Test Drive, and In Depth ReviewSaabkyle04 · 401K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2018 is the same generation.
Problems Mitsubishi told dealers about
Mitsubishi sent dealers 103 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This is a Technical Information Notice sent to dealers
- This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers
- Shudder or surge condition possibly
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Electrical · recall issued 2018
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.
- Automatic emergency braking · recall issued 2018 Plug-in hybrid only
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 Stabili…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Mitsubishi Outlander Sport recall, all years · All Mitsubishi recalls
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Outlander SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Mitsubishi Outlander SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,200–$2,400 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
Every Mitsubishi Outlander Sport year. 2018 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 8 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2018 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mitsubishi-outlander-sport/?y=2018" title="Mitsubishi Outlander Sport reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="422" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/mitsubishi-outlander-sport/2018/">Lemon Index</a> (2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about a fifth as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 20; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (38%), electrical (25%) and suspension (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have?
2 safety recalls (latest: automatic emergency braking). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport get?
25 to 27 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 38% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport cost in fuel a year?
About $2,200 to $2,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
Is there a better Mitsubishi Outlander Sport year than the 2018?
Not nearby: the 2018 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport years within 3 model years of it.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works