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Mitsubishi Outlander transmission failure problems

27 of the 1,329 owner complaints about the Mitsubishi Outlander describe complete transmission failure, most of them for the 2016 model year.

owner complaints
27
worst model year
2016
typical mileage
95,606
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2020
    1
  • 2017
    1
  • 2016
    13
  • 2015
    6
  • 2013
    3
  • 2012
    1
  • 2011
    1
  • 2007
    1

What owners say

Filed May 4, 2026 · IN

The CVT transmission went out at 115k and has to be replaced and can not be repaired

Filed Feb 17, 2026 · Transmission · MN

transmission went out

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 Sep 20, 2024 · Transmission · 200,000 miles · IN · fire

The contact owned a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, a warning message displayed reading "Transmission Failure Reduced Power', prompting the contact to pull to the shoulder of the roadway. After which the contact observed smoke emanating from the engine compartment. By the time the contact and her family were able to exit the vehicle and move to a safe distance, the vehicle had become engulfed in flames that were originating from the engine compartment. Local emergency services arrived and were able to extinguish the fire. All warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard but had yet to be deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. A fire report was filed. A police report was filed with no injuries reported. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.

Filed Apr 14, 2023 · Acceleration, Transmission · IA

The Transmissions in these vehicles are junk and very dangerous. I was driving out of town and all of a sudden the RPM´s started revving up. Then I tried to slow down and pull over and the vehicle did not want to down shift and it stalled on the highway with traffic. This is not the first time the transmission went out on the same vehicle. I had a hard time finding a transmission to put in and when I did it only lasted a year. Please, you can not put these cars out there with this type of transmission in them. They are junk. Please make this right.

Filed Nov 21, 2022 · Acceleration, Engine · MA

The car will no longer drive. It would throw itself forward uncontroably right before the transmission failed. Car has less than 50k mileage on it and was working normally previously.

Filed Sep 28, 2022 · Transmission · 79,800 miles · PA

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 assistance. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The failure was linked to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V563000 (Power Train) however, both the dealer and the manufacturer informed the contact that the recall was serviced under a prior owner. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was 79,800.

Filed Sep 28, 2022 · Transmission · 79,800 miles · PA

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 referred to a dealer for assistance. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The failure was linked to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V563000 (Power Train) however, both the dealer and the manufacturer informed the contact that the recall was serviced under a prior owner. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was 79,800.

Filed Jul 18, 2022 · Electrical, Transmission · 140,040 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle decelerated and accelerated unintendedly. Additionally, the steering wheel seized. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and restarted the vehicle after several activation and deactivation of the starter. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle and driving, the vehicle was jerking. The vehicle was taken to three different independent mechanics and diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact attempted to inform the manufacturer of the failure but was unable to speak with a representative. The approximate failure mileage was 140,040.

Filed Mar 4, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · GA

The Secret To Easily Protecting Your Gutters Here's The Secret To Automatically Protect Your Gutters Without Hassle: Innovative Gutter Guards! Let us protect your Stacey Dodier 1 message In 2019 I purchased a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander from Mitsubishi dealership in Lagrange, Ga. I was assured that the vehicle was safe and reliable. As a precaution I purchased an extended power train warranty for $2,325. After my purchase the dealership sent emails reminding me to complete basic services such as oil change and tire rotation without any mention of transmission fluid exchange. Fast forward to January 2022 I was riding on the interstate and the transmission light flashed quickly. The vehicle stalled on the highway and I barely had time pull over and avoid being hit by other drivers. At that moment I knew something was terribly wrong with my vehicle. I had the car towed to Heritage Mitsubishi in Morrow, Ga. Around January 25th a service advisor from the Heritage Dealership informed me that the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander that I owe almost $16,000 on needs a new transmission which would in total cost $8800. I was totally shocked and when I asked why the advisor said that the CVT transmission is expensive and the person who sold you the car should have told you to change transmission fluid every 30,000 miles. I was in shock because I had never worried about transmission issues with any other vehicles. As of now the engine light is on and I still don't feel Safe driving this vehicle

Related recalls

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

Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)Reported June 25, 2014 · 5 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2007 and 2009 Outlander vehicles. During servicing, the affected vehicles were repaired with replacement transfer case assemblies whose oil seal may come out of position.
Risk
If the oil seal dislodges, automatic transmission fluid (ATF) may enter the transfer case assembly, reducing the ATF pressure in the transmission, resulting in poor transmission shifting or the inability of the vehicle to be driven, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transfer assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on July 30, 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1‑888‑648‑7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-005.

Recall number 14V365000 · Recall details

Questions about the Mitsubishi Outlander transmission failure

Which Mitsubishi Outlander years have complete transmission failure problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2016 (13 complaints), 2015 (6 complaints) and 2013 (3 complaints).

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