Complaints about the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander peaked in 2021, with 23 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
SUV, gasoline, 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, built in Japan. Owner complaints on file from Jan 27, 2016 to Sep 15, 2026.
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V-252 | Apr 20, 2026 | Liftgate gas spring cylinders may corrode and lose pressure, which can result in a gas spring cylinder rupture or the liftgate falling unexpectedly | Structure | 108,046 | Part replacement |
| 25V-507 | Aug 7, 2025 | Liftgate gas spring cylinders may corrode and lose pressure, which can result in a gas spring cylinder rupture or the liftgate falling unexpectedly | Structure | 121,529 | Part replacement |
| 20V-741 | Nov 30, 2020 | Rust prevention coating on the rear brake operating shafts could have been peeled off during the assembly process | Brakes | 21,758 | Part replacement |
| 20V-403 | Jul 13, 2020 | Second-row center seat belt buckle may interfere with the right-side seat belt buckle when the seat backs are folded down | Seat belts | 177,000 | Repair or modification |
| 18V-070 | Jan 26, 2018 | Water may enter the rear brake calipers causing the parking brake actuator shafts to corrode and possibly bind | Brakes | 170,354 | Part replacement |
| 17V-609 | Sep 29, 2017 | These vehicles may have defective relays that can result in an engine stall, reduced engine power or the engine overheating | Electrical system | 132,552 | Part replacement |
| 17V-233 | Apr 6, 2017 | Inside door latch mechanisms may not latch securely in high temperatures, allowing the doors to open while vehicle is in motion | Latches and locks | 35,674 | Part replacement |
| 16V-563 | Jul 28, 2016 | Affected vehicles are equipped with a constant velocity transmission (CVT) that, in certain driving conditions, may cause a delay in the vehicle… | Powertrain | 82,436 | Software update |
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
145 complaints on file, page 1 of 8.
This vehicle exhibits a severe and dangerous acceleration hesitation, accompanied by a sudden, momentary loss of engine torque when pulling out from stops or trying to merge onto highways. This unexpected loss of power leaves the vehicle stranded briefly in oncoming traffic, creating an immediate crash hazard. This failure matches the exact physical defect and symptoms detailed in NHTSA Recall 16V563000 (Mitsubishi Campaign SR-16-006). The dangerous safety defect is actively persisting whether the remedy was already completed or not (Mitsubishi states that my vehicle is not included in the recall—this is not true—which will be explained in more detail at the end of this description. In a good-faith effort to resolve this dangerous hesitation, the transmission valve body was recently replaced out-of-pocket, but the identical recall symptoms remain entirely unchanged. This proves that the initial software recall remedy was structurally inadequate to permanently secure the mechanical safety of the vehicle. Mitsubishi corporate customer relations was formally notified of this failed recall remedy, but they have refused to provide assistance or resolve the issue. When asked to provide information where and when was a remedy completed on the aforementioned recall, Mitsubishi also stated via email that, “Your vehicle VIN [XXX] is not included in Recall 16V563000 (Mitsubishi Campaign SR-16-006),” which is not true. The communication with Mitsubishi can be seen in attached documents and one can confirm that my vehicle is actually included in Recall 16V563000 (Mitsubishi Campaign SR-16-006) when searching into recalls on NHTSA website and reviewing documents (both NHTSA and Mitsubishi related documents). Thank you very much for your time and help. It is much appreciated as my family and I are currently desperate while being scared to drive this vehicle with our newborn and [XXX] toddler and Mitsubishi is not being willing to help via email or phone. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA),
NHTSA complaint 11764420The annual state safety inspection failed due to a severely rust corroded front Cross-Member. A corrosion hole developed right where the air conditioner condensate drain port is located right above it. Earlier manufacturing years of this same vehicle had a major recall for this exact same cause. Continued use without replacing the front Cross-Member could result in a loss of steering and a serious accident if lost at highway speeds.
NHTSA complaint 11762362The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle unintendedly decreased speed. No warning lights illuminated. A dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that an unknown recall had been completed and closed. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
NHTSA complaint 11760065The 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 complaint 11752307transmission went out
NHTSA complaint 11718389The 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 complaint 11700107The 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 complaint 11693850On 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 complaint 11689068I 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 complaint 11644957CVT transmission is slipping really bad and TPS not working .
NHTSA complaint 11626750The 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 complaint 11626381I 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.
NHTSA complaint 11595066Delay in the accelerating pedal and hesitation, transmission will chande gear abnormal.Ac went out at same time.
NHTSA complaint 11594625Transmission 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
NHTSA complaint 11587366Complete loss of headlights while driving at night. Having to replace headlights monthly. Heater fuse keeps blowing.
NHTSA complaint 11566762My 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.
NHTSA complaint 11565968While 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.
NHTSA complaint 11559276On 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
NHTSA complaint 11555874On 10/10/23, my boyfriend was driving the listed vehicle home. He had it in cruise control, note vehicle does not have adaptive cruise. Suddenly the vehicle started speeding up and redlining the RPM'S, he tried pressing the brakes and it did nothing. He finally was able to put it in neutral and get it to stop. Upon stopping. He tried shutting the vehicle off with the push button, but it would not shut off at first. Finally after several attempts he got it to shut off but noticed the vehicle trying to run other systems on its own while it's supposedly off.
NHTSA complaint 11549382I am having a problem with accelerating while driving. Car starts to jerk or stutter while driving.
NHTSA complaint 11539233Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall; the 60 most recent are listed.