2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
93/100
#2 most-complained of 15 Outlander years
The 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander ranks 2nd worst of 15 model years, with a complaint index of 93, 145 complaints, and 8 recalls. Transmission & Powertrain problems dominate at 44% of complaints, making it an Avoid year relative to other Outlander years.
- Complaints
- 145
- Recalls
- 8
- Crashes / fires
- 8 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 24 city / 29 hwy
Top 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Owners report brake pedal failing to stop the vehicle even when depressed firmly, sometimes with abnormal noise or dashboard warning lights.
- Some describe the steering wheel and brakes locking up suddenly at highway speed, leading to loss of control.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple frontal and side-impact collisions despite significant vehicle damage.
- One owner reported the vehicle surging forward unexpectedly at a stop, later diagnosed as a torque converter failure affecting the transmission.
- A fire was reported starting in the engine/battery area of a garaged, rarely driven vehicle.
- An owner noted hood paint chipping shortly after purchase with very low mileage.
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 a bad year?
- Relative to other Outlander model years, yes. It ranks 2nd worst out of 15 years with a complaint index of 93 and carries an Avoid verdict.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Outlander?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues are the top problem area, accounting for 64 complaints, or 44% of all reports, with a median failure mileage of 79,800.
- How many recalls does the 2016 Outlander have?
- NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2016 Outlander, covering brakes, structure/body, electrical relays, transmission software, and seat belts.
- Does the 2016 Outlander have a CVT recall?
- Yes. Recall campaign 16V563000 covers the constant velocity transmission control unit, which Mitsubishi addressed by reprogramming the CVT software free of charge.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Outlander?
- EPA rates the 2016 Outlander at 26 mpg combined (24 city / 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,500.