Owner report · 2016 model year

2016 Mitsubishi Outlander

Crash-test image: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), U.S. Department of Transportation.

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Transmission & Drivetrain

Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 64 of 145 complaints (44%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (4) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Complaints filed rose from 53 in 2015 to 145 in 2016.

Data last changed Nov 7, 2026. Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

At a glance

NHTSA complaints: 145
Recall campaigns: 8
EPA fuel cost per year: $2,300–$3,500
Combined MPG: 22–27

Complaints by model year

452014
532015
1452016
512017
722018

Where owners report problems

Transmission & Drivetrain64 (44%)
Brakes23 (16%)
Body, Seats & Latches20 (14%)
Engine20 (14%)
Visibility & Lighting16 (11%)
Driver Assistance & Speed Control15 (10%)

Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.Also cataloged for 2016: 4 configuration(s) of a different vehicle class, excluded from the comparison bar only (but included in the figures above).
Category	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	vs. 2016 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Annual fuel cost ($)	2,300–3,350	2,200–3,350	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	53	145	51	72	Not compared
Recalls issued	4	5	8	6	6	Not compared
Crash-involved complaints	9	5	8	7	8	Not compared
Fire-involved complaints	0	1	1	0	1	Not compared
Injuries reported	9	3	6	4	8	Not compared
Deaths reported	0	0	0	0	0	Not compared
Configurations compared	3	4	4	4	5

Common questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander have?

8 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 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: 64 of 145 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)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
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

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
Category	Complaints	Crash-Involved	Fire-Involved	Injuries
Engine	20	2	1	1
Transmission & Drivetrain	64	1	0	0
Fuel System	5	1	0	1
Electrical	12	2	1	2
Brakes	23	3	0	2
Steering	5	1	0	0
Suspension, Wheels & Tires	4	0	0	0
Airbags & Restraints	9	5	0	4
Driver Assistance & Speed Control	15	1	0	0
Body, Seats & Latches	20	1	0	1
Visibility & Lighting	16	0	0	0
Other	15	0	1	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 20, 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 7, 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 · Nov 30, 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 13, 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 26, 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 · Sep 29, 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 6, 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.