RoadVitals

2016 Mitsubishi Outlander

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.
142
+1 complaint in 30 days
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 Apr 20, 2026
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.
9
6 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 142 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), brakes and engine categories. 8 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 142 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

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
26V252000

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT

Apr 20, 2026
108,046 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy: 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.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.Manufacturer number SR-26-001View on NHTSA.gov
25V507000

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT

Aug 7, 2025
121,529 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy: 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
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.Manufacturer number SR-25-002View 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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 142
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 23, 2026

The car itself should not be sold considering the number of complaints about the transmission issues. I’ve only had the car a month and Its started to stall and jerks when in acceleration. The gears started to not shift properly and the car would not go over 20 miles without jerking. I took the car back to the lot to get it fixed and then it stopped, was driving back smoothly. The car shop said they changed the transmission oil which supposedly was the problem. 2 weeks later the car is back stalling and jerking with the “transmission service required” light back on yet again.

NHTSA ID
11752307
Incident
Jul 5, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 17, 2026

transmission went out

NHTSA ID
11718389
Incident
Jan 29, 2026
Brakes
Filed Nov 18, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that upon manually activating the parking brake, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The vehicle was taken to Jack's Independent Service Inc, where it was diagnosed and determined that the parking brake operating shafts were corroded. The dealer related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V741000 (Parking Brake); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

NHTSA ID
11700107
Incident
Oct 7, 2025
Mileage
93,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 16, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred repeatedly after coming to a complete stop. The contact stated that because of the failure, the contact was nearly involved in several crashes. In addition, the contact stated that the failure had not occurred until after the vehicle had been driven for a while or the engine had warmed up. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the recall. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and determined that a software update for the CVT transmission was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V563000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA ID
11693850
Incident
Oct 16, 2023
Mileage
50,000 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 23, 2025

On the freeway TRANSMISSION FAILURE SERVICE light came on and the cars acceleration geared, had to immediately pull over on the side of the freeway, restarted the car with emergency lights to get out of the freeway. Vehicle would not accelerate much and the rpm was switching fast up and down. Check engine light came on the next day and the diagnosis read catalytic converter needs replacement. Car does not accelerate on hills, its shifts and tugs on a regular road.

NHTSA ID
11689068
Incident
Sep 9, 2025
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 26, 2025

I bought a Mitsubishi outlander 2016 and just in couple of month the car doesn’t want to engage on the transmission , the SUV doesn’t go forward or backwards, it sound like the engine tend to try but the car doesn’t move

NHTSA ID
11644957
Incident
Aug 15, 2024
Other / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 22, 2024

CVT transmission is slipping really bad and TPS not working .

NHTSA ID
11626750
Incident
Nov 21, 2024
Brakes
Filed Nov 20, 2024

The emergency brake suddenly failed to function. Applied the brake but there was no tension on the lever & no brake function occuring. I understand there was a VIN specific recall on this vehicle and just wondering how my vehicle that falls under the year, make & model does not qualify for the recall but is suffering from the same exact issue?

NHTSA ID
11626381
Incident
Oct 11, 2024

Manufacturer communications

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

TSB-23-55-001

VISIBILITY/WIPER

This revised Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions on how to remedy noise from the HVAC system (heater, air conditioner, ventilation vents) when the blower motor is turned on.

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.

TIN-25-SR-002A

STRUCTURE:BODY

This Technical Information Notice informs dealers that MMNA is investigating the field performance of certain liftgate gas springs outside the population of vehicles covered by Safety Recall No. SR-25-002.

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-18-54-006REV

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions for a software update to correct an issue of the rear view camera displaying on the Display Audio Unit while driving forward.

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.

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 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026200—
2025140048.6
2024261055.8
2023452051.5
20222097055.1
2021000—
2020313064.3
2019295067.9
2018556062.7
2017516059.8
2016Viewing1428052.6
2015525055.7
2014454056.0
2013265161.3
2012226050.5
2011588051.9
20106010049.2
20094613055.2
20085812049.4
20071259051.2
2006211046.3
2005181042.7
2004524053.7
20031166051.6

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.