2016 Mitsubishi Outlander: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander: 8 recalls, 145 owner complaints and up to 27 mpg combined.
Recalls
8 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.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #17V233000 · 2017 · 35,674 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If a door opens while the vehicle is being driven, it can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Mmna will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017.
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.
Parking brake Vehicle recall #18V070000 · 2018 · 170,354 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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…
Seat belts Vehicle recall #20V403000 · 2020 · 177,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: An unrestrained occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The 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.
Parking brake Vehicle recall #20V741000 · 2020 · 21,758 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Mmna will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear brake caliper assemblies, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 4, 2021.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #25V507000 · 2025 · 121,529 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Mmna will replace the left and right liftgate gas springs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2025.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #26V252000 · 2026 · 108,046 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Mmna will replace the left and right liftgate gas springs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 17, 2026.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 6 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (64): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (40), warning light on (19), stalls / loses power (12).
- Engine (20): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (6), warning light on (4).
- Other / unknown (15): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (3).
- Brakes (14): the most common themes are warning light on (4), noise or vibration (3).
The 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander has 145 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 23 Outlander model years for complaints (2.5× the average Outlander year). Complaints peaked in 2021 (23 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 60,518 miles. Neighboring years: 2015 (53 complaints, 5 recalls), 2017 (51 complaints, 6 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 30 | 27 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | 4-Wheel Drive | 24 | 29 | 26 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 22 | Premium |
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 Outlander.
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.
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FAQ
Does the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 8 vehicle recalls for the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander. 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 Outlander problems?
Owners have filed 145 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (64), engine (20), other / unknown (15).
What gas mileage does the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander get?
EPA ratings run up to 27 mpg combined (2.4 L, Automatic (AV-S6)), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander 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.