2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander ranks 2nd worst out of 20 model years, with a complaint index of 95 and 145 complaints across 8 recalls. Transmission & Powertrain problems dominate at 44% of complaints, making this year rated Avoid relative to other Outlander years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 95/100
- #2 of 20 Outlander years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 145
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 8
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 8
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 24 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain64 (44%)
- Engine29 (20%)
- Brakes23 (16%)
- Electrical System23 (16%)
- Structure & Body20 (14%)
- Other15 (10%)
- Airbags8 (6%)
- Fuel System5 (3%)
- Steering5 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (3%)
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 brake failure where pressing the pedal did not stop the vehicle, sometimes with ABS and check engine lights on.
- Some describe the steering wheel and brakes locking up unexpectedly at highway speed, leading to a crash.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple collisions, including a 40 mph frontal impact and a side collision with an animal.
- One owner reported a garage fire starting in the engine/battery area after attempting a jump start on a rarely driven, low-mileage vehicle.
- Owners describe the vehicle surging forward unexpectedly while stopped, later diagnosed as a failed torque converter and transmission.
- Paint reportedly chipped on the hood after very low mileage and minimal use.
2016 Mitsubishi Outlander recalls
8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V252000Apr 20, 2026Structure & Body108,046 vehicles
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support device/strut
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 25V507000Aug 7, 2025Structure & Body121,529 vehicles
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support device/strut
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.
Risk: 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
- 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.
2016 Mitsubishi Outlander fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24 MPG
- Highway
- 29 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 Outlander years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2016 Outlander has a complaint index of 95, the second highest among 20 model years, with 145 complaints and 8 recall campaigns, resulting in an Avoid verdict relative to other Outlander years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Outlander?
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints make up 44% of all reported issues, with a median mileage at failure of 79,800 miles for that category.
- Does the 2016 Outlander have a CVT recall?
- Yes. Recall 16V563000 covers 2016 Outlander vehicles with a CVT control unit that Mitsubishi addressed by reprogramming with modified software.
- How many recalls does the 2016 Outlander have?
- NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2016 Outlander, covering brakes, structure and body, electrical system, seat belts, and transmission components.
- Were there any injuries or fires reported for the 2016 Outlander?
- NHTSA records show 6 injuries, 8 crashes, and 1 fire associated with complaints about the 2016 Outlander, with no deaths reported.