MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER · model year

2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER

202 NHTSA complaints, 19 crash reports, and 7 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

4 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2016MITSUBISHIOUTLANDER carries 202 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 19 crashes, 3 fires, 13 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 4/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2016 OUTLANDER is power train with 60 filings, followed by engine (19) and unknown or other (15). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 7 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 14 investigation files overlapping the 2016 OUTLANDER. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

202
Complaints
19
Crashes
3
Fires
13
Injuries
0
Deaths
2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. Overall composite: 4.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 4.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 4.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 4.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

202 filings

Crashes Reported

19 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 4/5 — Strong NCAP rating · Front: 4/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN60
ENGINE19
UNKNOWN OR OTHER15
SERVICE BRAKES14
EXTERIOR LIGHTING12
STRUCTURE:BODY11
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11
AIR BAGS8
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES6
PARKING BRAKE6
STEERING5
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM4
VISIBILITY/WIPER3
WHEELS2

Recalls (7)

20V74100030/11/2020

PARKING BRAKE

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 th

17V60900029/09/2017

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY

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.

16V56300028/07/2016

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

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 vehicl

18V07000026/01/2018

PARKING BRAKE

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.

20V40300013/07/2020

SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

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

25V50700007/08/2025

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

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, M

17V23300006/04/2017

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

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.

Recent Complaints

20260217POWER TRAIN

transmission went out

20251118PARKING BRAKE

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.

Mileage: 93,000

20251016POWER TRAIN

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

Mileage: 50,000

20250923VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

20250923POWER TRAIN

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.

20250923UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

20250226POWER TRAIN

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

20250226ENGINE

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

20241122POWER TRAIN

CVT transmission is slipping really bad and TPS not working .

20241122WHEELS

CVT transmission is slipping really bad and TPS not working .

20241120SERVICE BRAKES

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?

20240618POWER TRAIN

I was driving home from work when the car started to violently shudder. I took my foot off the accelerator and it stopped, only to happen again when I resumed pressing the gas. This also causes the car to suddenly slow down somewhat dramatically. The tachometer also "bounces". I purchased this vehicle used and drove it for 6 or 7 months with no issues before this happened. I took I to a local mechanic who immediately identified it as the transmission. A check engine light came on and intermittently goes out and back on. This happened after the shuddering started. The problem is easily repeated just by simply driving the car. It has not been inspected by anyone other than the mechanic I took it to.

20240616POWER TRAIN

Delay in the accelerating pedal and hesitation, transmission will chande gear abnormal.Ac went out at same time.

20240507POWER TRAIN

Transmission control module Shifting goes into limp mode and doesn't allow acceleration until the car is turned off and back on There are other years of my vehicle where this is an active recall. The transmission service required light comes on Codes are as follows PO776 C1560 U0114 U0100

20240121EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Complete loss of headlights while driving at night. Having to replace headlights monthly. Heater fuse keeps blowing.

20240121ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Complete loss of headlights while driving at night. Having to replace headlights monthly. Heater fuse keeps blowing.

20240117VISIBILITY/WIPER

My windshield wipers have malfunctioned. They will work for a second than malfunction again. This is creating hazardous conditions that will cause an accident when it is raining.

20231209POWER TRAIN

While traveling on the highway, as I accelerated, my vehicle began to shutter as if it was about to stall. Then the D on the display panel began flashing and a message concerning the transmission was displayed. As I increased my speed the more the car shuttered. I researched and found that this has been an issue with this make and model of this vehicle. After calling a Mitsubishi dealership, I was informed that my vehicle has had this problem fixed. They require a couple hundred dollars to look at it but it sounds like they have already made up their mind that it is not under recall.

20231119SERVICE BRAKES

On the outlanders speed control sensor on the back hubs the lil ears that hold the sensor in place have broken off both sides of my car there's is no way to replace them makeing my car shift different drive funny and it's just about made me wreck a few times and cause when they pop out the car downshift and the engine reves at 9000 rpm and now I have a tick in my engine but i have had to try and glueing the sensors back into place this is a big problem with the outlander I have plus the roads in WV are not the greast potholes are everywhere and when you hit one they pop out of place very ease

20231119VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

On the outlanders speed control sensor on the back hubs the lil ears that hold the sensor in place have broken off both sides of my car there's is no way to replace them makeing my car shift different drive funny and it's just about made me wreck a few times and cause when they pop out the car downshift and the engine reves at 9000 rpm and now I have a tick in my engine but i have had to try and glueing the sensors back into place this is a big problem with the outlander I have plus the roads in WV are not the greast potholes are everywhere and when you hit one they pop out of place very ease

Compare 2016MITSUBISHIOUTLANDER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER have?
The 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER has 202 NHTSA complaints, 19 crashes, 3 fires, 13 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER?
The 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 4/5, front crash rating of 4/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER?
Yes, the 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER has 7 recall(s). The most common affected component is PARKING BRAKE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER?
The most-complained component for the 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER is POWER TRAIN with 60 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER has an NHTSA safety rating of 4/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.