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2016 Mitsubishi Outlander

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Outlander years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander are substantially higher than the model-year median of 47.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

82 reports with mileage · 63 unknown

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 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

12 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2026
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

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 fixe…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11752307

Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2024
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

Complete loss of headlights while driving at night. Having to replace headlights monthly. Heater fuse keeps blowing.

NHTSA ODI #11566762

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2023
Electrical SystemPower Train

I am having a problem with accelerating while driving. Car starts to jerk or stutter while driving.

NHTSA ODI #11539233

Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2023
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat BeltsCrashInjury

I have had multiple issues with this SUV. The main issue I am writing this for is because the car was hit stopped at a red light by another car going over 40 mph. The car rolled back then slammed into my car again going just as fast. The airbags did not deploy and the seatbelts did not lock. The impact actually broke the seats t…

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I have had multiple issues with this SUV. The main issue I am writing this for is because the car was hit stopped at a red light by another car going over 40 mph. The car rolled back then slammed into my car again going just as fast. The airbags did not deploy and the seatbelts did not lock. The impact actually broke the seats the passenger and I were sitting in. There were extensive injuries that happened because of this. The SUV was deemed a total loss because of the extensive damage done to the car. There were no warning messages, no recalls, etc. The SUV was inspected by a mechanic and insurance company and both said that the airbags should have gone off and the seatbelts should have locked based on the amount of damage to the SUV. I also took this SUV into the Mitsubishi dealership for all services/maintenance and nothing ever came up about any issues.

NHTSA ODI #11525307

Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 2022
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

Car throws itself forward, stalls out on highway

NHTSA ODI #11494690

111,130 miles · Mar 2, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

I WAS AT A STOP SIGN TURNING ONTO A HIGHWAY, I ACCELERATED AND MY CAR WAS MOVED INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND MY CAR TURNED OFF AND THEN TURNED BACK ON JUST A SECOND OR SO LATER AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AGAIN. I AM NOT CERTAIN WHAT HAPPENED AS THERE WERE NO CODES THROWN AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO OPERATE AFTER TURNING ITSELF BACK…

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I WAS AT A STOP SIGN TURNING ONTO A HIGHWAY, I ACCELERATED AND MY CAR WAS MOVED INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND MY CAR TURNED OFF AND THEN TURNED BACK ON JUST A SECOND OR SO LATER AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AGAIN. I AM NOT CERTAIN WHAT HAPPENED AS THERE WERE NO CODES THROWN AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO OPERATE AFTER TURNING ITSELF BACK ON. I AM WONDERING IF THERE IS SOMETHING IN THE COMPUTER PROGRAMMING THAT IS FAULTY. WHEN I GOT HOME, I CHECKED ALL THE CONNECTIONS AND DID NOT SEE ANY OBVIOUS FAULTS. I ALSO CHECKED ALL FLUID LEVELS AND CAPS JUST TO BE CERTAIN IT WASN'T SOMETHING RELATED TO ANY OF THAT SOMEHOW. IT IS SCARY THOUGH BECAUSE THERE WERE VEHICLES COMING TOWARD ME FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS.

NHTSA ODI #11398752

900 miles · Jan 30, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or OtherFire

ON SEPTEMBER 2019 AROUND 10:45 PM, MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT 2016 WAS THE CAUSE OF GARAGE FIRE AT MY HOUSE. THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE /BATTERY AREA AFTER I HAD TRIED TO GIVE A JUMP START A DAY BEFORE BUT THE CAR DID NOT START. FIRE WAS MOSTLY CONTAINED UNDER THE HOOD. SINCE 2016, THE CAR WAS MOSTLY GARAGED AND SPARING…

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ON SEPTEMBER 2019 AROUND 10:45 PM, MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT 2016 WAS THE CAUSE OF GARAGE FIRE AT MY HOUSE. THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE /BATTERY AREA AFTER I HAD TRIED TO GIVE A JUMP START A DAY BEFORE BUT THE CAR DID NOT START. FIRE WAS MOSTLY CONTAINED UNDER THE HOOD. SINCE 2016, THE CAR WAS MOSTLY GARAGED AND SPARINGLY DRIVEN AND HAD VERY VERY LOW MILES NOT ENOUGH TO GET FIRST SERVICE IF I RECALL CORRECTLY. THE INTERIOR STILL SMELLS FRESH CAR. I HAD REGISTERED THE CAR WITH DMV AS NON OPERATIVE STATUS AND DID NOT RENEW MY INSURANCE AS I WAS NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR QUITE SOME TIME. EVEN WHEN I DROVE COUPLE OF TIME, MITSUBISHI SMELLED LIKE ROTTEN EGGS ESPECIALLY WHEN I WOULD START OR PARK AFTER A SHORT DRIVE. I ASKED THE LOCAL DEALER AND WAS NOT TOLD TO IGNORE IT. I HAVE FEW DOCUMENTS FROM DMV, INSURANCE AND PHOTOS THAT I WILL ATTACH. I NEED TO BE TOTALLY REIMBURSED FOR THE PRICE OF THE CAR. I DO HAVE FEW LOAN PAYMENT RECEIPTS , IF NEEDED TO PROVE. AFTER THE FIRE, NEITHER HOME NOR AUTO INSURANCE WILL COVER THE DAMAGE OF THE CAR. THE BURNT CAR IS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY. PLEASE HELP ASAP.

NHTSA ODI #11302972

Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2019
Electrical SystemSeats

WHEN DRIVING THE DOORS DON'T LOCK AUTOMATICALLY, I HAD SOMEONE(STRANGE R) WALK UP TO MY CAR AND OPEN THE DOOR WHILE AT STOP LIGHT. I JUST KNEW THE DOORS LOCK AUTOMATICALLY AS MY PAST SATURN, CHEVY, FORD CAR PURCHASES. I ASK MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP AND THEY SPECIFIED THAT MY YEAR MODEL WASN'T BUILT WITH AUTO LOCKS. ALSO, THE DOOR P…

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WHEN DRIVING THE DOORS DON'T LOCK AUTOMATICALLY, I HAD SOMEONE(STRANGE R) WALK UP TO MY CAR AND OPEN THE DOOR WHILE AT STOP LIGHT. I JUST KNEW THE DOORS LOCK AUTOMATICALLY AS MY PAST SATURN, CHEVY, FORD CAR PURCHASES. I ASK MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP AND THEY SPECIFIED THAT MY YEAR MODEL WASN'T BUILT WITH AUTO LOCKS. ALSO, THE DOOR PANELS DOOLIGHT UP AT NIGHT WHEN DRIVING, MAYBE IT'S AN ELECTRIC MATTER TOO.

NHTSA ODI #11194807

15,000 miles · Mar 28, 2019
Electrical System

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.

NHTSA ODI #11192185

40,000 miles · Nov 26, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineService BrakesCrashInjury

TL* 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 ATTEN…

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TL* 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 ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V609000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT CALLED DON JACKSON CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM AT (770) 969-7259 (LOCATED AT 3950 JONESBORO RD, UNION CITY, GA 30291) AND WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #11154074

Official recalls

8

26V252000 · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support Device/strut

Apr 20, 2026

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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 NHTSA.gov June 3, 2026. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V507.

25V507000 · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support Device/strut

Aug 7, 2025

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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

20V741000 · Parking Brake

Nov 30, 2020

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

20V403000 · Seat Belts: Rear/other:buckle Assembly

Jul 13, 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 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

18V070000 · Parking Brake

Jan 26, 2018

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

17V233000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Apr 6, 2017

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.