2016 Mitsubishi Lancer: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer: 2 recalls, 30 owner complaints and up to 30 mpg combined.

Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Transmission & drivetrain, Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #16V563000 · 2016 · 82,436 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A hesitation during acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Electrical Vehicle recall #17V609000 · 2017 · 132,552 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.
The fix: Mmna will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected relays, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2017.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (21): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (14), warning light on (5), stalls / loses power (5).
- Electrical (4): the most common themes are electrical failure (2).
- Speed control / throttle (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Other / unknown (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer has 30 owner complaints, ranking #9 of 18 Lancer model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 48). Complaints peaked in 2021 (6 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 63,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2015 (23 complaints, 1 recalls), 2017 (6 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 34 | 30 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 33 | 28 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 31 | 26 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 30 | 25 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer problems?
Owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (21), electrical (4), speed control / throttle (4).
What gas mileage does the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer get?
EPA ratings run up to 30 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (AV-S6)), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.