The Mitsubishi Outlander is a funky-looking crossover that is now in need of an overhaul, both cosmetically and in performance. The crossover sees healthy sales figures for the past two years but hasn’t been enough to compete with the giants like the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4. The Outlander also sees a bevy of complaints against it, the most common one being with its headlights. Apart from this, the crossover also sees issues with squeaky brakes and engine stalling issues. The crossover was recalled 4 times in 2018 for various reasons. Let’s see why the car was recalled and what the most common issues were.
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Problems
Electrical issues:
- Battery drain: The Outlander battery issues have been mass-reported by the owners. The most common complaint is how quickly it drains and leaves the crossover dead. The issue pops up randomly and the battery charge drops to zero in some time. The dealerships have suggested putting in a trickle charger but the same is to be done at the owner’s expense.
- Random activation of the Emergency Parking Brake (EPB): The EPB of the Mitsubishi comes on at random due to a wiring issue in the harness. This random activation is very dangerous while driving and can cause the car to slow down drastically and cause an accident.
- Headlights burning out: People have reported various Outlander headlight issues, the most common of which is the headlights burning out. The problem pops up at low mileage and the only remedy is to get the whole unit changed. The worst part is that the repair isn't covered under warranty and the owners have to pay from their pockets.
Mechanical issues:
- Engine stalling: The Outlander engine stalling issue is a widely reported one and has caused a lot of inconvenience to the owners. People have reported the crossover losing power and stalling in the middle of the highway at highway speeds. Some complainants claim the stalling happens at lower speeds as well. The dealerships could not find out a solution to this problem.
- Brake noise: People report grinding noises coming from the brakes of the Outlander. The grinding noises are very disturbing when driving and reduce the braking force of the crossover.
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Recalls
|
S. No |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
September 5, 2018 |
18V591000 |
Equipment |
Incorrect information on the Certification Label about rear-wheel rim size may cause the use of wrong rim size, increasing the risk of a crash. The affected vehicles fail to comply with the FMVSS Number 110, “Tire Selection and Rims”. |
The recall began on September 26, 2018. The dealers will notify the owners and send the correct labels. The owners can also get the correct stickers installed by dealerships free of charge. |
|
2. |
September 14, 2018 |
18V621000 |
Forward Collision Avoidance |
An incorrect software in the Hydraulic Unit Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may disable many other assistance features like ABS, ESC, and BAH. This increases the risk of a crash. |
The recall began on October 26, 2018. The dealers will update the Hydraulic Unit Electronic Control Unit (ECU) software. |
|
3. |
September 14, 2018 |
18V620000 |
Forward Collision Avoidance |
An incorrect software in the Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) ECU may increase the braking distance, increasing the risk of a crash. |
The recall began on October 16, 2018. The dealers will reprogram the Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) ECU software. |
|
4. |
July 13, 2018 |
20V403000 |
Seatbelts |
The right seatbelt buckle cover may come off due to interference with the left-side buckle and make the buckle latch inoperable. This causes hindrance in properly restraining the occupant and which increases the risk of injury in a crash. |
The recall began on September 1, 2020. The dealers will modify the second-row center seatbelt buckle cover and change warning labels on the support base and owner’s manual. . |
Should you buy the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander?
The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander is a superb offering in the segment but has its own issues to deal with. The headlights are the main problem with the headlights burning out. The overall throw has been pretty low and does not help in driving at night time. Apart from this, the battery is a big issue as well but is nothing that is not solvable. That said, the Outlander does need an overhaul but that’s something completely unrelated. If you want a no-frills crossover, go for it. The Outlander also makes a good car for people looking for a pre-owned bet due to the overall reliability on offer.
