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2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 145 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander, most often about the transmission (44% of complaints, typically around 80,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Outlander model year since 2000 and has 8 recalls.
Most common 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander problems
Transmission
64 complaints · 44%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal. Over time, the failure worsened as the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic but was later referred to a dealer for…
The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal. Over time, the failure worsened as the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic but was later…
Brakes
22 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 42,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components.
The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander. While driving various speeds, the parking brake handle was levered, but failed to stick. The contact mentioned that there was a clicking noise coming from the parking brake handle. In addition, the windshield wipers were hesitant and failed to operate in a timely manner.…
The contact owned a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander. While driving 35 MPH, the check engine, ABS, and temperature warning indicators illuminated. While depressing the brake pedal to slow the down, the vehicle failed to stop and crashed into a cement barrier. The contact sustained back and neck injuries that required medical…
Engine
20 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles.
My engine has gotten louder and vibrates at lights. Was taken to the dealer they claim no codes but it is louder and ticking and has lost more power to the engine than before. The car hesitates and smells hot like a part is hot
The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the low beam head light failed to illuminate. Also, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle would not properly accelerate. In addition, water was present coming into the floor boards of the vehicle. The cause…
Other or unspecified
15 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 21,000 miles.
The shifter assembly came apart after I shifted from park to drive. Plastic pieces and indicator covers popped out through the center console and were visible. While I was driving the bunched up plastic pieces would cause my vehicle to go into neutral, and I would have to hold my shifter in drive to prevent it from…
On a constant basis when I'm driving my vehicle I have to continuously release my foot off the gas pedal for it to attempt to shift into the next gear otherwise it continues to rev up the rpms higher and higher on it's own and it's an automatic transmission. When driving up hill on the highway I literally have to…
Body and structure
12 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 36,500 miles. Parts named most often: body.
The doors do not lock automatically after reaching a certain speed, the driver must always lock the doors manually, there is no setting to have them lock after driving, if you do lock them manually they will unlock, sometimes while in motion.
The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander. After opening and closing the rear driver side door, the rear door open indicator illuminated. The contact had to open and close the door three times in order for the warning indicator to dim. The contact stated that the failure occurred at least 30 times on all four doors…
Speed control
12 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 61,000 miles.
On random when driving on several occasions my headlight will go out. Both at the same time. This morning while driving on the highway to work, the lights both just went completely out leaving me in the dark. I had to drive with my brights on for safety. The second problem in the acceleration, you can push the gas but…
I purchase my 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander in december of 2016. I had my vehicle come to a complete while accelerating and in motion. This could of killed me and my family. My vehicle has had consistent acceleration and hesitating issues while accelerating and in motion. Something is wrong with the transmission or…
Electrical
12 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 15,000 miles.
When driving the heater will shut off as the engine looses power and then start back up and the power will pick back up. It is not due to having the heat feature on auto I do not use that feature.
New less then 3000 miles, traveling on utah highway 65-80mph in cold winter weather. The airbag system maintenance needed warning comes on randomly, cause unknown. However we noticed when ever we are using both charging outlets in the front to charge our phone and ipad we had the problem. When we unplugged the…
Lights
12 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles.
On random when driving on several occasions my headlight will go out. Both at the same time. This morning while driving on the highway to work, the lights both just went completely out leaving me in the dark. I had to drive with my brights on for safety. The second problem in the acceleration, you can push the gas but…
Low beam headlight bulbs have burned out for the 2nd time since I have bought this car in 1 years time. Last time was september 2018 and now again december 2018. There is no water or condensation inside of the assembly. Just replacing both bulbs and they will work again, but for how long?
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2016 Mitsubishi Outlander recalls
Body and structure: support device/strut
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: support device/strut
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
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: parking brake
Risk: If the parking brake operating shafts bind, the parking brakes may not engage or disengage fully. If the parking brakes do not engage properly, the vehicle could rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mmna will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear brake caliper assemblies, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed may 4, 2021. Owners may contact mmna customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mmna's number for this recall is sr-20-005.
Full defect summary
Mitsubishi motors north america, inc. (mmna) is recalling certain 2016 outlander and outlander sport vehicles. The rust prevention coating on the rear brake operating shafts could have been peeled off during the assembly process. As a result, water entering the rear brake caliper boot may cause the parking brake operating shafts to corrode and possibly bind.
Seat belts: buckle assembly
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: parking brake
Risk: If the parking brake actuator shaft binds, the parking brake may not engage or disengage fully. If the parking brake does not engage properly, the vehicle may move unexpectedly if it is parked on a slope, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mmna will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear brake calipers and replace the parking brake boot and lever or the brake caliper body, as necessary. Dealers will also replace the piston assembly of the rear brake caliper. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin march 27, 2018. Owners may contact mmna customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mmna's number for this recall is sr-18-002.
Full defect summary
Mitsubishi motors north america, inc. (mmna) is recalling certain 2014-2016 outlander and 2013-2016 outlander sport vehicles. Water may enter the rear brake calipers causing the parking brake actuator shafts to corrode and possibly bind.
Electrical: relay
Risk: If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mmna will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected relays, free of charge. The recall began october 24, 2017. Owners may contact mmna customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mmna's number for this recall is sr-17-005.
Full defect summary
Mitsubishi motors north america, inc. (mmna) is recalling certain 2015-2017 outlander, 2015-2016 lancer and outlander sport, and 2015 lancer evolution vehicles. These vehicles may have defective relays that can result in an engine stall, reduced engine power or the engine overheating.
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: If a door opens while the vehicle is being driven, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Mmna will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches, free of charge. The recall began august 25, 2017. Owners may contact mmna customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mmna's number for this recall is sr-17-002.
Full defect summary
Mitsubishi motors north america, inc. (mmna) is recalling certain 2016 outlander and outlander sport vehicles. The inside door latch mechanisms may not latch securely in high temperatures, allowing the doors to open while vehicle is in motion.
Transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Risk: A hesitation during acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mmna has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the CVT control unit with modified software, free of charge. The recall began on august 15, 2016. Owners may contact mmna customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mmna's number for this recall is sr-16-006.
Full defect summary
Mitsubishi motors north america, inc. (mmna) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 outlander sport vehicles and 2016 outlander and lancer vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a constant velocity transmission (CVT) that, in certain driving conditions, may cause a delay in the vehicle accelerating.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (64 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles); brakes (22 complaints, typically around 42,000 miles); engine (20 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander have?
- 8 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 20, 2026 (body and structure). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2016 a bad year for the Mitsubishi Outlander?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Outlander model year since 2000, with 145 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.