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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

145 reports
29,000 miles · Oct 21, 2019
Exterior Lighting

SINCE WE'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE, WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT ISSUES WITH THE LIGHTS. AT NIGHT, YOU CAN HARDLY SEE. WHEN I ADDRESSED WITH SERVICE, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AND TO RESOLVE, I WOULD NEED TO BUY THE NEWER MODEL. THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY MY HUSBAND ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES! THIS MORNING WHEN I LEFT FOR…

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SINCE WE'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE, WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT ISSUES WITH THE LIGHTS. AT NIGHT, YOU CAN HARDLY SEE. WHEN I ADDRESSED WITH SERVICE, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AND TO RESOLVE, I WOULD NEED TO BUY THE NEWER MODEL. THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY MY HUSBAND ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES! THIS MORNING WHEN I LEFT FOR WORK, THEY ARE OUT YET AGAIN. THIS IS NOW A SAFETY ISSUE! ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, I WAS COMING HOME ON ROUTE 95 IN 8 LANES OF TRAFFIC WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS BECAUSE THEY WENT OUT AGAIN. AT THIS POINT, WE'RE DONE! AS WE SPEAK I'M WORKING WITH A LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO GET OUT OF THIS DEATH TRAP AND I FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO ESCALATE THIS ISSUE TO ENSURE OTHERS ARE NOT IMPACTED.

NHTSA ODI #11270053

60,000 miles · Oct 12, 2019
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS KEEP BURNING OUT.. NOW HAVING TO REPLACE FOR THE THIRD TIME.

NHTSA ODI #11268116

48,700 miles · Oct 9, 2019
EngineUnknown Or Other

THE CAR THROTTLES WHEN ACCELERATING FROM SLOW SPEEDS. THERE HAS BEEN 6 RECALLS ON THE CAR WHICH SUCH AN UNFORTUNATE THING . I AM GETTING A DENIAL FROM NORTHSTAR MITSUBISHI THAT THIS WAS A RECALL ISSUE

NHTSA ODI #11267376

Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

DRIVE 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT. OCT 2018 STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL GAUGE SENDER BEHAVING ERRATICALLY. FILL WITH GAS AND MAY SHOW FULL TANK OR 3/4 TANK, WITHIN LESS THAN MILE THE MILES UNTLL NEXT FILL WILL JUMP UP. WHILE DRIVING IT WILL JUMP ALL OVER THE PLACE - IN LESS THAN BLOCK IT WENT FROM 390 TO 44…

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DRIVE 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT. OCT 2018 STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL GAUGE SENDER BEHAVING ERRATICALLY. FILL WITH GAS AND MAY SHOW FULL TANK OR 3/4 TANK, WITHIN LESS THAN MILE THE MILES UNTLL NEXT FILL WILL JUMP UP. WHILE DRIVING IT WILL JUMP ALL OVER THE PLACE - IN LESS THAN BLOCK IT WENT FROM 390 TO 440. HAS BEEN AS HIGH AS 460. THE LAST TIME I TOOK IT IN I WENT OVER 300 MILES WITH THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWING 3/4 FULL. HAS A 16 GALLON TANK SO ON 4 GALLONS I WOULD HAVE AVERAGED ABOUT 75 MILES TO THE GALLON. HAVE INCLUDED CHART OF ONE FILL UP SHOWING THE MILEAGE AND WHAT THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWS FOR MILES TO NEXT FILL. HAVE ALSO INCLUDED SOME PICTURES TO SHOW DIFFERENCES. SOME INSTANCES I PARK THE CAR AND IT WILL SHOW THE MILES TO FILL AND WHEN I START IT AGAIN THAT WILL HAVE RISEN BY 10'S OR DROPPED BY 10'S. DRIVE 7 MILES ONE WAY TO WORK AND IT HAS GIVEN AS MANY ARE 6 DIFFERENT READINGS DURING THE DRIVE. HAS BEEN ONE YEAR AND STILL NO FIX AND AM AFRAID OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL DIFFERENT TIMES - DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, CITY STREETS, TURNING, STRAIGHT. NO CONSISTENCY, JUST HAPPENS. HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES - THEY KEPT IT TWICE FOR A WEEK EACH TIME - AND THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. ALSO CALLED MITSUBISHI AND THEY SAY DEALER CONTACTED THEM AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. AT WITS END ON WHAT TO DO WITH IT. ANY HELP??? VEHICLE HAD JUST OVER 20,000 MILES WHEN BEGAN - CURRENTLY HAVE JUST OVER 24,000. THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI #11266118

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2019
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

I HAVE A 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTANDER 2WD. I NOTICED AS I'M DRIVING THE RPM NEEDLE IS JUMPING UP AND DOWN. ALSO I'M LOSING POWER AS I'M DRIVING. SOMETIMES THE RPM GOES ALL THE WAY TO 4 BEFORE IT SHIFTS. I ALMOST GOT HIT IN THE BACK BECAUSE IT LOST SPEED WHILE GOING ABOUT 60MPH AND THEN IT DROP SPEED. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OU…

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I HAVE A 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTANDER 2WD. I NOTICED AS I'M DRIVING THE RPM NEEDLE IS JUMPING UP AND DOWN. ALSO I'M LOSING POWER AS I'M DRIVING. SOMETIMES THE RPM GOES ALL THE WAY TO 4 BEFORE IT SHIFTS. I ALMOST GOT HIT IN THE BACK BECAUSE IT LOST SPEED WHILE GOING ABOUT 60MPH AND THEN IT DROP SPEED. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL BUT FOR SOME REASON THEIRS NO RECALL BASED ON MY VIN#. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY. ITS ONLY 36,000 MILES

NHTSA ODI #11265994

58,000 miles · Sep 14, 2019
Structure

TAIL GATE LIFTERS NOT WORKING. WILL NOT HOLD UP TAIL GATE.

NHTSA ODI #11255456

70,300 miles · Sep 11, 2019
Power Train

I WENT INTO MY DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL CHANGE SATURDAY 9/7/19 AND AFTER I LEFT WITHIN A FEW HOURS A "TRANSMISSION SERVICE REQUIRED" ALERT CAME ON THE CAR BEGINS TO STUTTER AS I ACCELERATE AT A CERTAIN LEVEL AND THEN LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT. I COULD NOT GO BACK THE SAME DAY BECAUSE THEY HAD CLOSED.SUNDAY I HAD MY NEIGHBORHOOD MECHAN…

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I WENT INTO MY DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL CHANGE SATURDAY 9/7/19 AND AFTER I LEFT WITHIN A FEW HOURS A "TRANSMISSION SERVICE REQUIRED" ALERT CAME ON THE CAR BEGINS TO STUTTER AS I ACCELERATE AT A CERTAIN LEVEL AND THEN LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT. I COULD NOT GO BACK THE SAME DAY BECAUSE THEY HAD CLOSED.SUNDAY I HAD MY NEIGHBORHOOD MECHANIC RUN THE SCANNER ON THE CAR AND THE CODE ABOUT A TRANSMISSION PRESSURE SWITCH SENSOR WAS READING. MONDAY MORNING I CALL THEM AS SOON AS THE SERVICE CENTER OPENS AND THEY TELL ME TO BRING IT IN. WHEN I BRING IT IN, I WAIT ABOUT AN HOUR OR SO AND THEY COME TELL ME I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION, WE HAVE ORDERED THE PART THAT WILL COME IN ON WEDNESDAY. I LEAVE TO GO BACK TO WORK WHICH WAS ABOUT 40 MILES AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND THE CAR COMPLETELY STALLS AS IM MAKING A U-TURN TO MY JOB'S PARKING LOT.

NHTSA ODI #11254709

26,580 miles · Jul 24, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

MY NAME IS [XXX], E-MAIL ADDRESS IS [XXX]. I WAS AT THE VICTORY MITSUBISHI DEALER FOR SERVICE ON 7/20/19. I COMPLAINT ABOUT HESITATION AND REDUCE POWER WHEN ACCELERATING. I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V563000 AND MITSUBISHII RECALL NUMBER SR-16-006 ON THIS SAFETY ISSUE, THEY REFUSED TO ENTERTAIN THIS POTENTIAL …

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MY NAME IS [XXX], E-MAIL ADDRESS IS [XXX]. I WAS AT THE VICTORY MITSUBISHI DEALER FOR SERVICE ON 7/20/19. I COMPLAINT ABOUT HESITATION AND REDUCE POWER WHEN ACCELERATING. I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V563000 AND MITSUBISHII RECALL NUMBER SR-16-006 ON THIS SAFETY ISSUE, THEY REFUSED TO ENTERTAIN THIS POTENTIAL RISK BECAUSE MMNA DID NOT LIST MY VIN NUMBER AS POSSIBLE VEHICLE COVERED BY THIS RECALL. THEY INSTEAD OFFERED TO CHARGE ME THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANING AND CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. I PAID FOR THE TRANSMISSION FUEL CHANGE AT APPROXIMATELY 26.600 MILES IN ADVANCE OF THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. THE CAR IS STILL HESITATING AT VARIOUS TEMPERATURES. I NEED THIS FIXED!! AND I WOULD LIKE AN APOLOGY FROM THE FACTORY TRAINED SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT DID NOT LISTEN TO MY COMPLAINT! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT *TR

NHTSA ODI #11234515

53,000 miles · Jul 19, 2019
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 45 MPH, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BEFORE THE ENGINE SHUT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 45 MPH, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BEFORE THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAITED A COUPLE OF MINUTES BEFORE RESTARTING THE VEHICLE AND THEN DROVE HOME. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V563000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT CALLED MARK MITSUBISHI PHOENIX (LOCATED AT 1901 E BELL RD, PHOENIX, AZ 85022, (602) 888-2840) AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR JULY 20, 2019. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

NHTSA ODI #11233414

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2019
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO RELEASE. THE CONTACT STATED SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE CAUSING IT TO CRASH INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO RELEASE. THE CONTACT STATED SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE CAUSING IT TO CRASH INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE FAILURE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAINED ANY INJURIES OR SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11233210

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.