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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

15 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2025
Power TrainUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11689068

Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2023
Unknown Or Other

On 10/10/23, my boyfriend was driving the listed vehicle home. He had it in cruise control, note vehicle does not have adaptive cruise. Suddenly the vehicle started speeding up and redlining the RPM'S, he tried pressing the brakes and it did nothing. He finally was able to put it in neutral and get it to stop. Upon stopping. He …

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On 10/10/23, my boyfriend was driving the listed vehicle home. He had it in cruise control, note vehicle does not have adaptive cruise. Suddenly the vehicle started speeding up and redlining the RPM'S, he tried pressing the brakes and it did nothing. He finally was able to put it in neutral and get it to stop. Upon stopping. He tried shutting the vehicle off with the push button, but it would not shut off at first. Finally after several attempts he got it to shut off but noticed the vehicle trying to run other systems on its own while it's supposedly off.

NHTSA ODI #11549382

Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2023
Unknown Or Other

I was driving down the highway with my son in the car and it started jerking and the reving up to high rpms. I decided to get off the highway where my car would not go over 40mphs and still reving. Took to a family mechanic who said to take it to the dealership for transmission problems.

NHTSA ODI #11513756

Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2022
Forward Collision AvoidancePower TrainUnknown Or Other

car go's fast and take off at a hi speed' transmission slips out of gear; and stops' and can't get to go' stop at light car rolls a head' jumps to go and stops and go's slow' and jump's to go

NHTSA ODI #11485066

Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2022
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

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 reli…

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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

NHTSA ODI #11455238

Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2022
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

When driving my 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander SE down the highway last week my car began to make a shudder like feeling when I stepped on the gas. When attempting to accelerate my car my RPMs jumped and then dropped significantly making the car shake and not accelerate and instead the speed declined. I was on the highway driving and…

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When driving my 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander SE down the highway last week my car began to make a shudder like feeling when I stepped on the gas. When attempting to accelerate my car my RPMs jumped and then dropped significantly making the car shake and not accelerate and instead the speed declined. I was on the highway driving and feel very fortunate that no one was behind me when my car jerked causing them to possibly rear end me and I am glad that my car did not jolt forward hitting the person in-front of me but it was a very real possibility. My car is around 98,000 miles and has had every oil change and maintenance it has needed on time and I am the second owner of this car. No check engine light or anything came on while my car was practically breaking down on the highway and there was no warning. The next day the check engine light came on for about 10 mins and then cleared itself even though the car was continuing to shake and drop and rev RPMS. I took my car to an automotive place and they told me I would need to have a new transmission put in the car and he thought I had very low miles to be having this issue and because the engine light was no longer on he test drove the car and confirmed and ran the error code in the history. After some research I noticed that there was a recall in 2016 for the transmission of my car 16v563000 stating that there is a delay in the transmission and the consequence could cause a crash and to fix the problem "software needed to be upgraded" I asked North America Mitsubishi for a report of the specific work done to the transmission to provide to my mechanic. They stated they cant do that and I don't need it and can get my transmission done at Mitsubishi where they can see the previous work done for the recall. There is a technical service bulletin for this issue its so common, I am 1 year over the 5 yr warranty and they say I have to pay for a new transmission. I was told theres no recall and nothing they can do.

NHTSA ODI #11449901

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2021
Unknown Or Other

MY 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SE, is having hesitation when accelerating. This vehicle's vin number was NOT INCLUDED IN THIS SAFETY ISSUE. CONSEQ: A HESITATION DURING ACCELERATION CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF THE CRASH. PROBLEM IS WITH THE CVT - EUC transmission

NHTSA ODI #11427824

62,000 miles · Mar 4, 2021
StructureUnknown Or Other

KEY FOR DOORS DOES NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEY. ORIGINAL OWNER NEVER USED KEY TO UNLOCK. THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALLS. THIS IS A DANGER WHEN YOU CANNOT GET IN CAR WITH OUT REMOTE.

NHTSA ODI #11399083

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

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.