RoadVitals

2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
26
Latest Jun 7, 2025
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
8
Latest Nov 30, 2020
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 26 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, most frequently naming the engine, powertrain (other) and electrical categories. 8 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 122 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine923.7%
  • Powertrain (other)615.8%
  • Electrical513.2%
  • Brakes37.9%
  • Steering37.9%
  • Driver assistance37.9%
  • Body & structure25.3%
  • Interior & seats25.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

8 campaigns cover this model year

View all 8

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
20V741000

PARKING BRAKE

Nov 30, 2020
21,758 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The remedy: 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.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.Manufacturer number SR-20-005View on NHTSA.gov
20V279000

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS; SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

May 18, 2020
141,200 units potentially affected
The defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Sportback, 2008-2013 Outlander, and 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
The risk: A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied or the front cross member will be replaced with a new one. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-20-003.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.Manufacturer number SR-20-003View on NHTSA.gov
18V103000

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

Feb 9, 2018
158,651 units potentially affected
The defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles. Water may enter between the hood and windshield and cause the front wiper link ball joint to corrode, possibly resulting in the wiper link separating and the wipers becoming inoperative.
The risk: Loss of wiper function can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rod of the wiper link and the wiper motor crank arm, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 10, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-004.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.Manufacturer number SR-18-004View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 26
Filed Jun 7, 2025

I have a CVT system on my SUV and the transmission keeps slipping. A transmission light comes on and the car starts to stall. It happens mostly in stop and go traffic.

NHTSA ID
11665436
Incident
Jun 19, 2024
EnginePowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Feb 2, 2025

In less than one year with this car, 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT, is hesitating when accelerating then jerking forward into 4th gear, while driving at various speeds, the steering column vibrates makes loud sound, I’ve replaced the headlights at least 6x, water is getting in the vehicle somehow even a car wish will leave the floorboards soaking wet, the steering sways. This car had given me more issues in a year than all my cars throughout my lifetime combined and vehicle's vin number was NOT INCLUDED IN MANY SAFETY RECALLS. CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF THE CRASH.

NHTSA ID
11640158
Incident
Feb 1, 2025
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Jan 21, 2025

Transmission light frequently comes on, car stalls/sluggish to respond. Has occurred while driving or at rest. No change despite several transmission servicing/towing expenses. Per online research, others experiencing same issues. Often resolves temporarily by turning off engine and restarting car. Recalls issued for other Mitsubishi models, but not for this car. Needs to be addressed to prevent injury or loss of life.

NHTSA ID
11637509
Incident
Jan 8, 2025
Brakes
Filed Sep 29, 2024

The parking brake is sticking when the vehicle is in motion, and it may fails to keep the vehicle stationary when engaged. It has been occurring for a few months. There is a current recall for this issue but my VIN is not included even though it’s the same issue.

NHTSA ID
11617097
Incident
Jun 28, 2024
Brakes
Filed Sep 29, 2024

The parking brake is sticking when the vehicle is in motion, and it fails to keep the vehicle stationary when engaged. The car cannot operate correctly with the emergency brake engaged. Also it’s not safe since the car cannot be secured. There is an open recall for this issue however my VIN isn’t included but the issue is the same. This has been occurring for a few months, we just were able to figure out the issue last night and then I found the recall.

NHTSA ID
11617095
Incident
Jun 28, 2024
Engine
Filed Sep 29, 2024

Unknown. The transmission service light comes on and the vehicle drags until you turn the car off and restart it. I noticed online there's a CVT transmission recall and was wondering if this is what is happening to my vehicle.

NHTSA ID
11617093
Incident
Jul 1, 2024
Engine
Filed Jan 10, 2024

The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed catalytic converter. The contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed that the current catalytic converter was not the correct part for the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.

NHTSA ID
11564632
Incident
Jan 6, 2024
Mileage
51,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 13, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle hesitated upon depressing the accelerator pedal, and the engine revved. The transmission warning light illuminated and the message "Transmission Hot" was displayed. The contact continued driving, and the message "Transmission Fluid Low" was displayed. The contact pulled to the side of the road and allowed the vehicle to cool down. The contact then checked the transmission fluid level and noticed that there was enough transmission fluid in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where the failure was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V563000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,700.

NHTSA ID
11544279
Incident
Sep 11, 2023
Mileage
67,700 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TECH TALK 289

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; SEAT BELTS

Tech Talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. It covers various topics and reviews the previous months publications.

TECH TALK 281

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM; LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION; STRUCTURE:BODY; SUSPENSION; VISIBILITY/WIPER

Tech Talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. It covers various topics and reviews the previous months publications.

TSB-16-54-001REV

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Technical Service Bulletin instructs the dealer to update the Hands Free Module software to improve the Bluetooth connection when certain devices are connected to Wi‐Fi.

TSB-24-23-004

POWER TRAIN

Service Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin provides corrections to the description of special tools used to install the oil seal within the Automatic Transaxle sections of the applicable Service Manuals.

TSB-20-23-001RV4

POWER TRAIN

Service Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin instructs dealers to diagnose and test drive vehicles exhibiting a shudder or surge condition possibly caused by poor reaction of the hydraulic pressure circuit.

TSB-20-23-001REV

POWER TRAIN

Service Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin instructs dealers to diagnose and test drive vehicles exhibiting a shudder or surge condition possibly caused by poor reaction of the hydraulic pressure circuit.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026200—
2025100—
2024100—
2023700—
2022111038.4
2021171040.0
2020261044.7
2019261053.6
2018212056.5
2017270042.1
2016Viewing268045.8
20151829049.7
2014406056.0
20134210049.0
2012146054.7
20113010053.1

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.