MitsubishiOutlander2018Overview/mitsubishi/outlander/2018/base/

2018 Mitsubishi Outlander

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 Outlander.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (AV-S6)

The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander is an SUV that requires 4.8 qt of 0W‑20 API oil and pairs its powerplant with an automatic AV‑S6 transmission. Its fuel‑economy performance is rated at 25 mpg city, 30 mpg highway and 27 mpg combined by the EPA. In terms of reliability, the model records 55 total owner complaints and six recalls, a sharp drop from the 233 complaints logged in 2015 and close to the 13 complaints reported for 2025. Thus, the 2018 Outlander sits toward the lower end of the complaint spectrum for the nameplate’s recent history.

Model year202520242023202220202019201820172016

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.8 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy25/30/27 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter MZ690072. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225/55R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterMZ690072
Engine air filterMR968274
Fuel filter1770A312 alt 1770A309
Spark plug1822A088 alt 1822A067
Front wiper bladesMZ693021 alt MZ693015
Serpentine belt1340A150 alt 1340A132
Thermostat1305A803 alt MD194988
Cabin air filter7803A109

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length185 in
Overall width71.3 in
Overall height66.1 in
Wheelbase105.1 in
Curb weight3406 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined25 / 30 / 27 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Outlander of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

9.2–9.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.20 sec — 2018 PHEV Plug-In Hybrid GT
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2018PHEV Plug-In Hybrid GT 2.0L I-4 + Elec 2x60-kW 12.0-kWh9.20 sec17.20 sec190 hpAWD
2018PHEV Plug-In Hybrid GT 2.0L I-4 + Elec 2x60-kW 12.0-kWh9.70 sec17.50 sec190 hpAWD
2017GT V6 3.0L V67.60 sec16.00 sec224 hpAWD
2016SEL 2.4L I-49.20 sec17.00 sec166 hpAWD
2016SEL 2.4L I-49.30 sec17.30 sec166 hpAWD
2021PHEV GT S-AWC 2.4L I-4 + Elec8.50 sec16.70 sec221 hpAWD
2014GT V6 3.0L V67.80 sec16.20 sec224 hpAWD
2014SE 2.4L I-49.10 sec17.00 sec166 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.8 qt of 0W-20 API engine oil, GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidMitsubishi Diamond Queen CVTF-J4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.1
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.7
Brake FluidDOT 3
Clutch FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilGL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity0.8-1.0

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)44.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)66.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts155.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)9.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub166
Rear Wheel Hub166

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)600 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerMitsubishi
Spark Plug Gap.039

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.05-1.15 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity2.35-3.00 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.06-1.15 lbs.
Oil GroupPAG

Service checks

RPM47.0 @ Idle rpm
RPM47.0 @ Idle rpm
Engine Compression116
Engine Compression167

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque28-36
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 67-; Rear: 38-
Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque28-36
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 67-; Rear: 38-
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .960; Rear: .330
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0006
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .0024; Rear: .0032
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .960; Rear: .330

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
290.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
144.0 inch lbs.44 in
215.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
390.0
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
181.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 6081 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
181.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 6081 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
125-27 ft. lbs.25–27 ft. lbs
2Turn 90 degrees90 degrees
3Turn 90
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
130.0 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
295.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
118.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
290.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

Prep Step1: 20.0 ft. lbs.

245.0
Engine Valve Cover Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.3 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4.12.3 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant at 120,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 120,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Wheel Cylinder (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
Every 45,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed)
Every 60,000 miFuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
At 105,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander sits in a period of moderate complaint activity, with 55 complaints and 6 recalls, comparable to the 51 complaints and 6 recalls of 2017 but higher than the 29 complaints and 5 recalls of 2019. Across the generation, the trend shows a peak in 2015 (233 complaints, 12 recalls) followed by a gradual decline into the late 2010s, then a sharp uptick again in 2022 (208 complaints, 7 recalls). In 2018 the top complaint areas—Air Bags (8), Structure (5), Unknown Or Other (5), and Exterior Lighting (4)—are relatively small in proportion to the overall complaint volume, and there were no crash or fire complaints reported. This places 2018 near the bottom of the complaint curve after the 2015 peak, suggesting fewer systemic issues than earlier years. Given the low recall count and absence of safety‑critical complaints, 2018 represents a solid buying year, though buyers should still verify maintenance and inspection history.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
116
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
55
Owner complaints
7 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 55 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags8
Structure5
Unknown Or Other5
Exterior Lighting4
Seats3
Engine3
Seat Belts2
Power Train,Engine2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V591000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 05/09/2018

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… Remedy: 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…

20V403000Seat Belts: Rear/Other:Buckle AssemblyReported 13/07/2020

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 116 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB-23-55-0012026-02-12Visibility/WiperThis revised Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions on how to remedy noise from…
TECH TALK 2892025-11-21Electrical SystemTech Talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. It covers various topics…
TIN-25-SR-002A2025-10-08StructureThis Technical Information Notice informs dealers that MMNA is investigating the field…
TSB-19-54-013REV2024-07-23Electrical SystemThis Technical Service Bulletin instructs the dealer to update the Smartphone Link…
TSB-20-54-002REV2024-07-23Electrical SystemThis Technical Service Bulletin instructs the dealer to update the Smartphone Link…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Outlander. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2018 Outlander take?

4.8 qt of Synthetic 0W-20 API certified., per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 Outlander have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Outlander get?

EPA figures are 25 city / 30 highway / 27 combined mpg.