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2016 Mitsubishi Lancer

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 27.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 12 of 30 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

30 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2023
Power Train

I started to experience hesitation in the cars power and shifting “gears” in the cvt, it started to feel very rough and the rpm would jump up and down. The owner of the dealership tried to tell me it was normal. I knew something was wrong. I left the dealership and not even kidding… 20 minutes later my cvt gave out and the light…

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I started to experience hesitation in the cars power and shifting “gears” in the cvt, it started to feel very rough and the rpm would jump up and down. The owner of the dealership tried to tell me it was normal. I knew something was wrong. I left the dealership and not even kidding… 20 minutes later my cvt gave out and the light came on. I purchased the vehicle with 27,700 miles. I was shocked, they had it replaced but i never received any paperwork on where it was replaced. The car started to feel fine for about 20k miles and then boom it’s back. I am going to take my car into the dealership once again and I am just not a happy overall owner. I have had over $21,000 in repairs on this vehicle! We’re talking from wiper motor going out to exhaust pipes needing replaced. The warranty company has luckily saved me with most repairs but i’m sure they are not happy either. I am now at 95k miles and on my way to take it in to see what’s wrong this time. The car has terrible acceleration and just doesn’t want to shift. I shouldn’t be feeling a huge jerk around 30mph from a cvt. I also told the owner of my dealership and his mechanics that their is a weird odor that smells like radiator fluid coming from the passenger floor. It’s completely soaked all the time and even has a weird texture to it. The owner and mechanics once again tried to make me feel stupid. This is unrepaired and has been happening since i bought the vehicle. I have been trying to get it fixed but i’m told “you spilled something” which is documented in the repairs notes. I just want to drive this car without something else giving out. I believe my dealership can’t give me the help my car needs and i’m concerned knowing i still owe $11k on the vehicle. Main Concern - 2nd CVT failing (something was missed that’s causing this) - Passenger Floor Boards Wet (getting no help and being told i spilled something)

NHTSA ODI #11516229

Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2022
EngineVehicle Speed Control

Vehicle accelerates by it self

NHTSA ODI #11497959

57,130 miles · Sep 12, 2022
Structure

The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated while driving down his driveway at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal popping sound coming from underneath the front end of the vehicle. The contact engaged the parking brake. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and raised up on a lift. The vehicl…

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The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated while driving down his driveway at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal popping sound coming from underneath the front end of the vehicle. The contact engaged the parking brake. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and raised up on a lift. The vehicle was diagnosed with a severely corroded front subframe. Additionally, there were large holes in the subframe. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the vehicle was not drivable. The dealer and other unknown dealers were notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the 10 years/ 100,000 mile corrosion warranty could not cover the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 57,130.

NHTSA ODI #11483994

60,000 miles · Aug 31, 2022
Electrical SystemEngine

The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 50 MPH, the RPM increased from 2,000 to 5,000. Additionally, speedometer became inoperable, he brake was not working as designed, and the Service Transmission message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent …

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The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 50 MPH, the RPM increased from 2,000 to 5,000. Additionally, speedometer became inoperable, he brake was not working as designed, and the Service Transmission message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to the dealer. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact stated the failure was similar to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V609000 (Electrical System). The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #11482208

125,000 miles · Mar 18, 2022
Electrical System

The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated he was not sure if any warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to safely pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to his residence. The contact had not …

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The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated he was not sure if any warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to safely pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to his residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched the failure and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V609000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

NHTSA ODI #11457333

40,000 miles · Mar 8, 2022
Power Train

The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact then stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle stalled without warning. After multiple failed attempts to restart the vehicle…

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The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact then stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle stalled without warning. After multiple failed attempts to restart the vehicle, the contact towed it to his home where it remained. The contact called the manufacturer on multiple occasions and was initially informed that his vehicle was previously included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V563000 (Power Train) however, no further assistance could be offered because of the prior recall repair. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #11455748

Mileage unknown · Jan 1, 2022
Power Train

It I not wanting to go or like ir catch gears

NHTSA ODI #11445778

Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2021
Power Train

Car has 76,470 miles. Took to dealership due to loss of power and jerking hard during takeoffs and said that it needed new transmission. Dealership looked at it said it had internal failure codes for transmission. When doing research there was a recall in 2016 for this specific car for issues that this car is having and the spec…

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Car has 76,470 miles. Took to dealership due to loss of power and jerking hard during takeoffs and said that it needed new transmission. Dealership looked at it said it had internal failure codes for transmission. When doing research there was a recall in 2016 for this specific car for issues that this car is having and the specific transmission. Spoke with woman on hotline and was told to file a report since some cars could have been overlooked in the recall possibly. Recall was for 2016 Mitsubishi lancers with CVT transmission and was made during the time frame that the recall was going on.

NHTSA ODI #11441857

Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2021
Power Train

I was driving on the way home, my car started to skip and jerking. Went to Mitsubishi and told me I needed a whole new transmission replacement on a 2016 Lancer with only 81,000 miles on it. It seemed to never catch up to speed smoothly. Which I was terrified I was going to wreck otw home that day.

NHTSA ODI #11439506

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2021
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

Our 2016 lancer has suddenly started hesitating/ taking seconds to shift from park to reverse/drive. Also while driving vehicle its rpms fluctuate causing a shudder and surge in power or acceleration. This is a very alarming problem as it puts mine and my kids safety as it hesitates to shift and while driving it loses power and …

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Our 2016 lancer has suddenly started hesitating/ taking seconds to shift from park to reverse/drive. Also while driving vehicle its rpms fluctuate causing a shudder and surge in power or acceleration. This is a very alarming problem as it puts mine and my kids safety as it hesitates to shift and while driving it loses power and then powers up by itself. We have taken to a transmission shop (HIgH TECH Transmission) and now a dealer (Mission Mitsubishi) and both have replicated problem and pulled code but dealer will not honor recall or repair it. There was a safety recall for 2016 lancers with a cvt8 (SR-16-006) that produces a code P084A as well which and that if both were present a replacement transmission should be approved. All information was pulled from Mitsubishi website, and I called them and spoke to Carla did not give a last name and she advised me that our lancer doesn’t have a recall and I said well is it possible you’ll missed some vehicles that have the same problem from the recalls you’ll have already put out? And she got snappy and said to contact safer car.gov; so here I am, presenting facts to you'll that my 2016 lancer may and hopefully is part of a recall which in result to not being identified or checked out caused more damage as stated it would on the manufacturers website. And needs to be fixed due to not being identified in recall so preventive measures could have been taken. Please our vehicle is experiencing the problem as a recall Mitsubishi put out but failed to identify our lancer and now is experiencing hesitation in CVT trans, and shudder/surge in transmission.

NHTSA ODI #11438417

Official recalls

2

17V609000 · Electrical System:starter Assembly:relay

Sep 29, 2017

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

16V563000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Jul 28, 2016

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Power Train:automatic Transmission

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.

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA19001 · Electrical Overstress

Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.  During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications.  The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU.  In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment.  FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle.  Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW.  These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes.  An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time.   In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU.  This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners.  Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation.  The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage.  There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation.  The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU.  If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC.  Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC.  All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled.  In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024.  With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.