YearToAvoid

2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 29 engine complaints for the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander, 20% of its 145 total complaints. Owners report stalling, sudden acceleration or power loss, and rough shifting, with failures reported at a median 52,450 miles. No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this component.

Engine complaints
29
20% of 145
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
52,450 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe sudden hesitation or reduced power when accelerating from low speeds, sometimes tied to shifting problems.
  • Some report the engine stalling or struggling to restart after being parked, with the vehicle briefly failing to move.
  • Several describe the engine revving high without shifting into the next gear unless the driver eases off the gas.
  • Owners report a louder, ticking engine with vibration at idle and a hot smell, along with reduced power over time.
  • One owner described unexpected forward surge while stopped, later diagnosed as a failed torque converter.
  • Some complaints reference a related NHTSA recall campaign for throttle hesitation that dealers reportedly did not apply to their VIN.

When 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 10, 2016, latest Aug 27, 2026.

2016 Mitsubishi Outlander engine complaints: complaints filed per month3Jun 2016Jun 2018Jul 2019Mar 2020Mar 2021Mar 2022Feb 2025Aug 2026
29 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2016 to Aug 2026; peak Aug 2020 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Outlander model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201021 (35%)
  2. 201126 (45%)
  3. 20123 (14%)
  4. 20135 (19%)
  5. 20144 (9%)
  6. 201515 (29%)
  7. 201629 (20%)
  8. 201710 (20%)
  9. 201814 (25%)
  10. 20194 (14%)
  11. 20202 (6%)
  12. 202219 (9%)
  13. 20237 (15%)
  14. 20245 (19%)
  15. 20253 (20%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems in the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander?
NHTSA lists 29 engine-related complaints for the 2016 Outlander, which is 20% of the 145 total complaints filed for that model year.
At what mileage do engine problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for engine-related complaints on the 2016 Outlander is 52,450 miles.
Is there a recall for the 2016 Outlander engine issues?
NHTSA's recall data provided here shows no related recalls listed for the engine component on the 2016 Outlander, though some owner complaints mention a separate recall campaign for hesitation.
What kinds of engine failures do owners describe?
Owners describe stalling, hesitation or power loss during acceleration, rough or delayed shifting, and in one case an unexpected forward surge linked to a failed torque converter.

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.