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2016 Mitsubishi Outlander problems

The most common problem on the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander is transmission and drivetrain, typically around 79,800 miles. It has 2.8 times the complaints of a typical Outlander model year.

Year to avoid2.8x the typical complaints
Year score
32/100
Owner complaints
145
Recalls
8
Service bulletins
142
Worst area
Transmission
Fuel economy
22-27mpg

The worst 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander

Hesitation 20CVT failure 16Transmission failure 13Check engine light 11Headlights 11Jerking 10Stalling 10Slipping 9No deployment 7Shudder 7

Trouble codes owners of the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander mention

P084A 3

Recalls 8

Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strutReported April 20, 2026 · 108,046 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
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 June 3, 2026. This recall expands previous the federal safety agency recall number 25V507.

Recall number 26V252000 · Recall details

Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strutReported August 7, 2025 · 121,529 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
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

Recall number 25V507000 · Recall details

Parking brakeReported November 30, 2020 · 21,758 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 20V741000 · Recall details

Seat belts: rear/other: buckle assemblyReported July 13, 2020 · 177,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
An unrestrained occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
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 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.

Recall number 20V403000 · Recall details

Parking brakeReported January 26, 2018 · 170,354 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 18V070000 · Recall details

Electrical system: starter assembly: relayReported September 29, 2017 · 132,552 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 17V609000 · Recall details

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latchReported April 6, 2017 · 35,674 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
If a door opens while the vehicle is being driven, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 17V233000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)Reported July 28, 2016 · 82,436 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
A hesitation during acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 16V563000 · Recall details

See all 8 recalls for the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander

Technical service bulletins for the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander 142

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 142 bulletins for the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander

2016 Mitsubishi Outlander fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.4L 4‑cylFWD23-2528-3025-27
2.0L 4‑cylFWD23-2429-3025-27
2.4L 4‑cyl4WD22-2427-2924-26
2.0L 4‑cyl4WD232926
3.0L 6‑cyl4WD202722

What 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 15, 2026 · Fuel system, Transmission · HI

This vehicle exhibits a severe and dangerous acceleration hesitation, accompanied by a sudden, momentary loss of engine torque when pulling out from stops or trying to merge onto highways. This unexpected loss of power leaves the vehicle stranded briefly in oncoming traffic, creating an immediate crash hazard. This failure matches the exact physical defect and symptoms detailed in the federal safety agency Recall 16V563000 (Mitsubishi Campaign SR-16-006). The dangerous safety defect is actively persisting whether the remedy was already completed or not (Mitsubishi states that my vehicle is not included in the recall—this is not true—which will be explained in more detail at the end of this description. In a good-faith effort to resolve this dangerous hesitation, the transmission valve body was recently replaced out-of-pocket, but the identical recall symptoms remain entirely unchanged. This proves that the initial software recall remedy was structurally inadequate to permanently secure the mechanical safety of the vehicle. Mitsubishi corporate customer relations was formally notified of this failed recall remedy, but they have refused to provide assistance or resolve the issue. When asked to provide information where and when was a remedy completed on the aforementioned recall, Mitsubishi also stated via email that, “Your vehicle VIN [XXX] is not included in Recall 16V563000 (Mitsubishi Campaign SR-16-006),” which is not true. The communication with Mitsubishi can be seen in attached documents and one can confirm that my vehicle is actually included in Recall 16V563000 (Mitsubishi Campaign SR-16-006) when searching into recalls on the federal safety agency website and reviewing documents (both the federal safety agency and Mitsubishi related documents). Thank you very much for your time and help. It is much appreciated as my family and I are currently desperate while being scared to drive this vehicle with our newborn and [XXX] toddler and Mitsubishi is not being willing to help via email or phone. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA),

Filed Sep 5, 2026 · Suspension · NY

The annual state safety inspection failed due to a severely rust corroded front Cross-Member. A corrosion hole developed right where the air conditioner condensate drain port is located right above it. Earlier manufacturing years of this same vehicle had a major recall for this exact same cause. Continued use without replacing the front Cross-Member could result in a loss of steering and a serious accident if lost at highway speeds.

Filed Aug 27, 2026 · Acceleration, Transmission · 145,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle unintendedly decreased speed. No warning lights illuminated. A dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that an unknown recall had been completed and closed. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

Filed Jul 23, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · IL

The car itself should not be sold considering the number of complaints about the transmission issues. I’ve only had the car a month and Its started to stall and jerks when in acceleration. The gears started to not shift properly and the car would not go over 20 miles without jerking. I took the car back to the lot to get it fixed and then it stopped, was driving back smoothly. The car shop said they changed the transmission oil which supposedly was the problem. 2 weeks later the car is back stalling and jerking with the “transmission service required” light back on yet again.

Filed Feb 17, 2026 · Transmission · MN

transmission went out

Filed Nov 18, 2025 · Brakes · 93,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that upon manually activating the parking brake, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The vehicle was taken to Jack's Independent Service Inc, where it was diagnosed and determined that the parking brake operating shafts were corroded. The dealer related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V741000 (Parking Brake); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

Filed Oct 16, 2025 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred repeatedly after coming to a complete stop. The contact stated that because of the failure, the contact was nearly involved in several crashes. In addition, the contact stated that the failure had not occurred until after the vehicle had been driven for a while or the engine had warmed up. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the recall. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and determined that a software update for the CVT transmission was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V563000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed Sep 23, 2025 · Acceleration, Transmission · CA

On the freeway TRANSMISSION FAILURE SERVICE light came on and the cars acceleration geared, had to immediately pull over on the side of the freeway, restarted the car with emergency lights to get out of the freeway. Vehicle would not accelerate much and the rpm was switching fast up and down. Check engine light came on the next day and the diagnosis read catalytic converter needs replacement. Car does not accelerate on hills, its shifts and tugs on a regular road.

Filed Feb 26, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · NY

I bought a Mitsubishi outlander 2016 and just in couple of month the car doesn’t want to engage on the transmission , the SUV doesn’t go forward or backwards, it sound like the engine tend to try but the car doesn’t move

Filed Nov 22, 2024 · Transmission, Wheels · FL

CVT transmission is slipping really bad and TPS not working .

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander before you buy

Compare the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander

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Other model years

20032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020222023202420252026

Questions about the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander

Is the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?

Owners have filed 145 complaints about the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander, 2.8 times a typical Outlander model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.

What is the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander year score?

The 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander scores 32 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mitsubishi Outlander: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander?

Transmission and drivetrain, with 64 complaints, typically around 79,800 miles. Next is brakes (22).

How many recalls does the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander have?

8 recalls, covering structure, parking brake and seat belts.

Was there a recall on the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander transmission?

Yes, 1 recall: 16V563000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Mitsubishi Outlander have bad transmission?

The Mitsubishi Outlander model years with the most transmission complaints are 2016 (64 complaints) and 2015 (25 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander get?

Official estimates for the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander range from 22 to 27 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.4L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 23-25 city and 28-30 highway.

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