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2016 Mitsubishi Outlander recalls & problems

The 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander has 8 safety recalls and 145 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (64 complaints).

Recalls8safety recalls
Complaints145filed by owners
Crashes · fires8 · 1reported in complaints
NHTSA overall4–5 ★crash-test stars
2016 Mitsubishi Outlander in an NHTSA crash test
NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

StructureApr 20, 2026

Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Support device/strut

Recall 26V252000108,046 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
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.
Fix
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.
StructureAug 7, 2025

Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Support device/strut

Recall 25V507000121,529 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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
Parking brakeNov 30, 2020

Parking brake

Recall 20V74100021,758 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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.
Seat beltsJul 13, 2020

Rear/other › Buckle assembly

Recall 20V403000177,000 vehicles

Problem
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Outlander and 2018-2019 Outlander PHEV vehicles. The second-row center seat belt buckle may interfere with the right-side seat belt buckle when the seat backs are folded down. The interference may cause the right-side seat belt buckle cover to come off, making the buckle latch inoperable and unable to restrain an occupant.
Risk
An unrestrained occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix
MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will modify the second-row center seat belt buckle cover, install a new warning label to the second-row seat support base, and provide a new warning label insert for the owner's manual, free of charge. The recall began September 1, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-20-004.
Parking brakeJan 26, 2018

Parking brake

Recall 18V070000170,354 vehicles

Problem
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Outlander and 2013-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles. Water may enter the rear brake calipers causing the parking brake actuator shafts to corrode and possibly bind.
Risk
If the parking brake actuator shaft binds, the parking brake may not engage or disengage fully. If the parking brake does not engage properly, the vehicle may move unexpectedly if it is parked on a slope, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear brake calipers and replace the parking brake boot and lever or the brake caliper body, as necessary. Dealers will also replace the piston assembly of the rear brake caliper. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-002.
Electrical systemSep 29, 2017

Starter assembly › Relay

Recall 17V609000132,552 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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.
Latches/locks/linkagesApr 6, 2017

Doors › Latch

Recall 17V23300035,674 vehicles

Problem
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2016 Outlander and Outlander Sport vehicles. The inside door latch mechanisms may not latch securely in high temperatures, allowing the doors to open while vehicle is in motion.
Risk
If a door opens while the vehicle is being driven, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix
MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-002.
Power trainJul 28, 2016

Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Recall 16V56300082,436 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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.

Components: Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power train › Automatic transmission

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2016 Mitsubishi Outlander SUV FWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk18.5%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

2016 Mitsubishi Outlander SUV AWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk16.4%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

2016 Mitsubishi Outlander NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2016 Mitsubishi Outlander NHTSA side pole crash test
NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Outlander 2WD

27mpg combined
City / highway25 / 30 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AV-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

Outlander 4WD

26mpg combined
City / highway24 / 29 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AV-S6) · 4-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

Outlander 4WD

22mpg combined
City / highway20 / 27 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission › Torque converter6410079,800 mi
Engine2021150,000 mi
Unknown or other1501021,200 mi
Service brakes1430226,907 mi
StructureBody; Body › Tailgate › Hinge and attachments1210136,498 mi
Vehicle speed control1210061,036 mi
Electrical system1221215,000 mi
Exterior lighting1200060,000 mi
Air bags850454,900 mi
Latches/locks/linkages6000—
Parking brake600049,000 mi
Steering510012,867 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.