YearToAvoid

2016 Mitsubishi Lancer Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer has a complaint index of 58 and ranks 6th worst of 13 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Transmission & Powertrain issues drive 70% of its 30 complaints, and NHTSA lists 2 recalls including a CVT software fix.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
58/100
#6 of 13 Lancer years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
30
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
2
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
1
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Top issue
Transmission & Powertrain
Best nearby year
2017
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
26
24 city / 31 hwy
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Top 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Transmission & Powertrain21 (70%)
  2. Engine6 (20%)
  3. Electrical System4 (13%)
  4. Other3 (10%)
  5. Structure & Body2 (7%)
  6. Airbags1 (3%)
  7. Fuel System1 (3%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers1 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Vehicles hesitate for a second or up to four seconds when accelerating from a stop before suddenly lurching forward.
  • After a stop, some cars fail to accelerate at all when the pedal is pressed, with the service transmission warning light flashing on and off.
  • Drivers report sudden, complete loss of motive power while driving at moderate speeds, sometimes requiring a tow.
  • Random loss of acceleration occurs after extended driving, particularly when slowing to a stop and trying to speed up again.
  • One owner's sunroof reportedly shattered spontaneously at highway speed with no impact.
  • A car reportedly wouldn't crank for a couple of minutes, then started up while struggling.
2016 Mitsubishi Lancer complaints: complaints filed per month3Mar 2017Oct 2019Mar 2021Jan 2022Sep 2022May 2023Sep 2024May 2025
30 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2017 to Aug 2026; peak Mar 2021 (3).

2016 Mitsubishi Lancer recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 17V609000Sep 29, 2017Electrical System132,552 vehicles

    Electrical system:starter assembly:relay

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  2. NHTSA 16V563000Jul 28, 2016Transmission & Powertrain82,436 vehicles

    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.

    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.

2016 Mitsubishi Lancer fuel economy and fuel cost

City
24 MPG
Highway
31 MPG
Combined
26 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,500
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2016 compared with other Lancer years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Good4216025.5
2015Avoid7523125.5
2016Caution5830226
2017Best176028

All Mitsubishi Lancer years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?
NHTSA data gives it a complaint index of 58 and a Caution verdict, ranking 6th worst out of 13 Lancer model years. Transmission & Powertrain complaints make up 70% of the total.
What problems does the 2016 Lancer have?
Owners most often report transmission and powertrain issues, including hesitation and loss of acceleration, at a median mileage of 69,000 miles. Engine and electrical system complaints follow at lower shares.
Does the 2016 Lancer have a transmission recall?
Yes. Recall 16V563000 covers 2016 Lancer and Outlander vehicles with a CVT control unit that Mitsubishi addressed by reprogramming the software free of charge.
How does the 2016 Lancer compare to other years?
Its complaint index of 58 is worse than 2013 (8), 2014 (42), and 2017 (17), all rated Good or Best, but better than 2008-2010 and 2015, which are rated Avoid.
What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Lancer?
EPA rates it at 26 mpg combined (24 city/31 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,500.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.