2016 Mitsubishi Outlander
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 63 of 144 complaints (44%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (4) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 52 in 2015 to 144 in 2016.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | vs. 2016 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,300–3,350 | 2,250–3,350 | 2,300–3,500 | 2,300–3,350 | 2,300–3,500 | |
| Combined MPG | 23–27 | 23–28 | 22–27 | 23–27 | 22–27 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 20–25 / 27–30 | 20–25 / 26–32 | 20–25 / 27–30 | 20–25 / 27–30 | 20–25 / 26–30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 329–383 | 317–383 | 321–391 | 328–388 | 326–402 | |
| Complaints filed | 45 | 52 | 144 | 51 | 71 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 6 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 9 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 8 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 9 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 8 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander have?
8 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 63 of 144 NHTSA complaints (44%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander get?
EPA rates it 22–27 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander?
EPA estimates $2,300–$3,500 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (8)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 25 mpg (high) | 30 mpg (high) | 27 mpg (high) | $2,300 (low) | 321 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 4 | 2.4L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 24 mpg | 29 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 333 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.0L | 4-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 20 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | $3,500 (high) | 391 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 23 mpg | 29 mpg | 25 mpg | $2,500 | 347 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 24 mpg | 30 mpg (high) | 27 mpg (high) | $2,300 (low) | 328 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 23 mpg | 28 mpg | 25 mpg | $2,500 | 355 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 4 | 2.0L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 23 mpg | 29 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 342 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 4 | 2.4L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 22 mpg | 27 mpg (low) | 24 mpg | $2,600 | 361 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 20 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 63 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 12 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Brakes | 23 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 20 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (8)
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT · Campaign 26V252000 · Apr 21, 2026
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.
Consequence: A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
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.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT · Campaign 25V507000 · Aug 8, 2025
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.
Consequence: A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
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
PARKING BRAKE · Campaign 20V741000 · Dec 1, 2020
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY · Campaign 20V403000 · Jul 14, 2020
Defect: 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.
Consequence: An unrestrained occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: 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. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-20-004.
PARKING BRAKE · Campaign 18V070000 · Jan 29, 2018
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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 expected to begin March 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-002.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY · Campaign 17V609000 · Oct 2, 2017
Defect: 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.
Consequence: If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected relays, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-005.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH · Campaign 17V233000 · Apr 10, 2017
Defect: 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.
Consequence: If a door opens while the vehicle is being driven, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-002.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM) · Campaign 16V563000 · Jul 28, 2016
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A hesitation during acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-006.