2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has a Complaint Index of 36 and ranks 10th worst out of 15 model years, but carries a Caution verdict because of 8 recall campaigns. Engine problems are the top issue, with 11 complaints and a median failure mileage of 12,000.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 36/100
- #10 of 15 Outlander Sport years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 26
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 8
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 23 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine11 (42%)
- Transmission & Powertrain7 (27%)
- Electrical System6 (23%)
- Brakes4 (15%)
- Other4 (15%)
- Structure & Body4 (15%)
- Steering3 (12%)
- Airbags1 (4%)
- Fuel System1 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report sudden loss of acceleration or hesitation when pressing the gas pedal from a stop, sometimes followed by a delayed surge forward.
- Some drivers describe the vehicle failing to accelerate while merging onto the highway despite pressing the accelerator.
- Several owners report the engine stalling or losing power at various speeds without warning.
- One driver reported the steering wheel jerking unexpectedly during a low-speed turn, resulting in a crash where the airbags did not deploy.
- Owners report the driver's door opening on its own while driving at low speed, causing damage.
- Some owners had trouble getting recall parts, including engine cooling and door latch repairs, within a reasonable time.
2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport recalls
8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V741000Nov 30, 2020Brakes21,758 vehicles
Parking brake
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 20V279000May 18, 2020Structure & Body141,200 vehicles
Structure:frame and members
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Sportback, 2008-2013 Outlander, and 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
Risk: A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied or the front cross member will be replaced with a new one. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-20-003.
- NHTSA 18V103000Feb 9, 2018Visibility & Wipers158,651 vehicles
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:linkages
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles. Water may enter between the hood and windshield and cause the front wiper link ball joint to corrode, possibly resulting in the wiper link separating and the wipers becoming inoperative.
Risk: Loss of wiper function can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rod of the wiper link and the wiper motor crank arm, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 10, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-004.
2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,600
- 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 Outlander Sport years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport reliable?
- It carries a Caution verdict based on NHTSA data, with a Complaint Index of 36 that ranks 10th worst among 15 model years. The rating is capped to Caution mainly because of 8 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Outlander Sport?
- Engine issues are the top complaint area, accounting for 11 of 26 complaints (42%), with a median failure mileage of 12,000.
- Does the 2016 Outlander Sport have a CVT recall?
- Yes. Recall 16V563000 covers a constant velocity transmission software issue, and Mitsubishi dealers reprogrammed the CVT control unit for free.
- How many recalls does the 2016 Outlander Sport have?
- NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2016 Outlander Sport, covering brakes, structure and body, electrical system, and transmission components.
- How does the 2016 model compare to other Outlander Sport years?
- The 2016 model's Complaint Index of 36 is better than 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2019, which are rated Avoid, but worse than 2021, 2022, and 2023, which rate Good or Best.