2016 Mitsubishi Lancer Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Powertrain (other)2156.8%
- Driver assistance410.8%
- Electrical410.8%
- Engine38.1%
- Body & structure25.4%
- Visibility12.7%
- Fuel system12.7%
- Airbags12.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
I bought this vehicle and few weeks later I noticed at a red light. When it turned green i hit the gas. My car took a few seconds, reved and then shot out into the lane. Since then it has had issues over 20 miles and when I stop its a few seconds for the car to accelerate and move which is scary on the road. My 4 sons were horrified! I looked up SR-16-006, after my mechanic said I have exactly everything as the issue of a recall that I should be on. AutoWorx in Pittsburgh on 28th and smallman street. They wouldn't feel comfortable taking my 6k because they said its absolutely the issue covered in the 2016 CVT replacement for a 2.0 engine Lancer Mitshubushi.
It’s throwing a P084A code and it feels like the transmission is about to let loose. I bought the car with 30,000 on it in 2016 and it has a hair over 136,000 and ever since I’ve had it it’s always had this transmission lag jerk in it. Very scuttle but you can feel it. Then all of a sudden it just started going into limp mode, hi low hi low rev, jerking and couldn’t get over 30 mph. This looks like a continuous problem with these transmission and gives Mitsubishi a bad taste in some peoples mouths. I’m out of a decently nice car and probably a couple thousand dollars for a new transmission.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I purchased this car in 2016 brand new from the dealer. Have kept up with its maintenance but in the past couple of months, the car is not taking off. What I mean by that is that the transmission slips and won't allow the car to gain speed there is a delay in the car accelerating. This is the second time that it has happened this year and its very unsafe to use a car this way and its less than 10 years old.
Vehicle accelerates by it self
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 50 MPH, the RPM increased from 2,000 to 5,000. Additionally, speedometer became inoperable, he brake was not working as designed, and the Service Transmission message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to the dealer. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact stated the failure was similar to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V609000 (Electrical System). The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated he was not sure if any warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to safely pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to his residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched the failure and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V609000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
2016 SE 2.4L AWC. Purchased car in February 2022 at 66k miles. In December of 2022 at 78k miles, car lost majority power while traveling at 40 MPH, threw 'Tranmission Servie Required' warning light. Drove 3 blocks home, parked for 2 hours. Turned car on and drove normally without lights. Previous event happened x3 before changing transmission fluid in February 2023. From February to May, roughly 500 miles, no codes occured. However, occasional hesitation when accelerating from a stop. Then, in May 2023, while traveling 80 MPH, RPMs shot to 6000, car began to lose power. Pulled to shoulder, turned car off and on, and was able to travel home without issue, another 15 miles.
Vehicle accelerates by it self
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
I've had the vehicle for 7 years and after inspection performed by the dealer, there is so much subframe rot that my car will not pass the next inspection due in April. I've contacted Mitsubishi and they said there is nothing they can do as there isn't any recall. This model of Mitsubishi has had recalls on many different previous years, such as 2005, 2010 and many online reports of 2014 with the same problem.
The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated while driving down his driveway at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal popping sound coming from underneath the front end of the vehicle. The contact engaged the parking brake. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and raised up on a lift. The vehicle was diagnosed with a severely corroded front subframe. Additionally, there were large holes in the subframe. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the vehicle was not drivable. The dealer and other unknown dealers were notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the 10 years/ 100,000 mile corrosion warranty could not cover the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 57,130.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH, WHEN I HEARD A VERY LOUD SOUND, LIKE A GUNSHOT, AND MY SUNROOF SHATTERED. THERE WAS NO ROCK OR IMPACT TO MY CAR, IT JUST SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED WITH GLASS RAINING EVERYWHERE. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS CLEAR THAT THERE WAS NO ROCK IMPACT TO THE SUNROOF BECAUSE OF THE WAY THAT THE REMAINING GLASS WAS BOWED OUTWARD. HOWEVER, WHEN THEY SUBMITTED THE DOCUMENTATION TO MITSUBISHI CORPORATE, AFTER 8 HOURS OF REVIEW, THEY DECLINED TO COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY, STATING THAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN DUE TO A ROCK IMPACT OR OTHER COLLISION AND NOT BECAUSE OF A GLASS OR MANUFACTURER DEFECT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
I bought this vehicle and few weeks later I noticed at a red light. When it turned green i hit the gas. My car took a few seconds, reved and then shot out into the lane. Since then it has had issues over 20 miles and when I stop its a few seconds for the car to accelerate and move which is scary on the road. My 4 sons were horrified! I looked up SR-16-006, after my mechanic said I have exactly everything as the issue of a recall that I should be on. AutoWorx in Pittsburgh on 28th and smallman street. They wouldn't feel comfortable taking my 6k because they said its absolutely the issue covered in the 2016 CVT replacement for a 2.0 engine Lancer Mitshubushi.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
ACCIDENT THAT RESULTED IN THE CAR BEING DECLARED TOTAL LOSS. THE CAR WAS HIT IN THE UPPER FRONT AND SIDE AREA OF DRIVERS SIDE. DURING THE ACCIDENT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. RESULTED IN INJURIES, OF COURSE. THE CAR WAS MAKING LEFT HANDED TURN FROM RESIDENTIAL AREA ONTO A BUSY MAIN STREET. AND THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS NOT PAYING ATTENTION AND HIT THE CAR WHILE IT WAS TRYING TO TURN. THE CAR WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MPH. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS GOING 40-45 MPH. WHAT WOULD CAUSE THE AIR BAGS TO MALFUNCTION?? BECAUSE I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW WHY INJURIES HAD TO EVEN OCCUR SINCE THEY ONLY HAPPENED DUE TO THE MALFUNCTION OF THE AIR BAGS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .