Reliable Auto DB

2016 Mitsubishi Outlander reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 171 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander over 11 years — 16 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Outlander years here — over the median of the other years, which is 7. NHTSA has 8 recalls on file, including Support strut, Parking brake, and Buckle.

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander
Photo by TTTNIS, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC0
Complaints

171

Per year

16

Recalls

8

Years on the road

11

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (71 of 171), then Engine (28) and Electrical system (17). Those filings include 9 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 6 that report an injury.

Next to 2015 and 2017

The 2015 Outlander has 234 complaints, 23 per year, and the 2017 has 51 complaints, 8 per year. The 2016 has fewer complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2017.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (8)

Recall structure, body, liftgate, support strut 2026-04-20 · NHTSA campaign 26V252000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall structure, body, liftgate, support strut 2025-08-07 · NHTSA campaign 25V507000
Summary 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.
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
Recall Parking brake 2020-11-30 · NHTSA campaign 20V741000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall seat belts, rear or other, buckle 2020-07-13 · NHTSA campaign 20V403000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall Parking brake 2018-01-26 · NHTSA campaign 18V070000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall electrical system, starter, relay 2017-09-29 · NHTSA campaign 17V609000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall latches, locks, and linkages, doors, latch 2017-04-06 · NHTSA campaign 17V233000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall powertrain, automatic transmission, transmission control module 2016-07-28 · NHTSA campaign 16V563000
Summary 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.
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.

Complaints by component (171 total)

Powertrain
71
Engine
28
Electrical system
17
Service brakes
17
Speed control
14
Structure
14
Exterior lighting
13
Air bags
9
Latches, locks, and linkages
8
Steering
8
Parking brake
6
Fuel and propulsion system
5
Forward collision avoidance
3
Hydraulic brakes
3
Suspension
3
Visibility and wipers
3
Electronic stability control (ESC)
2
Seat belts
2
Seats
2
Wheels
2
Engine and engine cooling
1
Fuel system, gasoline
1
Visibility
1
Show 15 more Show less
Crash-flagged

9

Fire-flagged

1

Injury reports

6

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

1020162120171620182320192220202520211420221720231120247202552026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "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…"
    Powertrain, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-09-15
  • "The 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…"
    Suspension · filed 2026-09-05
  • "The 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…"
    Powertrain, Speed control · filed 2026-08-27
  • "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…"
    Powertrain, Electrical system, Engine · filed 2026-07-23
  • "transmission went out"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-02-17

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2016 Mitsubishi Outlander SUV AWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2016 Mitsubishi Outlander SUV FWD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Outlander two-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (AV-S6) Front-wheel drive 25 30 27 MPG $2400
Outlander four-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (AV-S6) Four-wheel drive 24 29 26 MPG $2500
Outlander four-wheel drive 3L, 6-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Four-wheel drive 20 27 22 MPG $3650
Outlander Sport two-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (AV-S6) Front-wheel drive 24 30 27 MPG $2400
Outlander Sport two-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Manual 5-speed Front-wheel drive 23 29 25 MPG $2600
Outlander Sport two-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (AV-S6) Front-wheel drive 23 28 25 MPG $2600
Outlander Sport four-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (AV-S6) Four-wheel drive 22 27 24 MPG $2700
Outlander Sport four-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (AV-S6) Four-wheel drive 23 29 26 MPG $2500

Specs and fitment

Third generation (GF), 2014–2021
Body styles SUV
Oil 0W-20 (common four-cylinder; ~4.9 qt with filter—confirm V6 in the owner's manual) , 4.9 qt capacity
Tire size 225/55R18

Known issues for this generation

Recall 18V070000 covers certain 2014-2016 Outlander vehicles (with Outlander Sport on the same campaign) where water may enter the rear brake calipers so parking-brake actuator shafts corrode and bind; dealers inspect and replace boots, levers, caliper bodies, and piston assemblies as needed. Recall 20V403000 covers certain 2014-2019 Outlander vehicles where the second-row center seat-belt buckle may interfere with the right-side buckle; dealers modify the cover and add warning labels. Shared unit counts apply when other Mitsubishi models are listed.

Compare

Previous year 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Next year 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander See every Mitsubishi Outlander model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?

Owners have filed 171 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander over 11 years — 16 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Outlander years here — over the median of the other years, which is 7. NHTSA has 8 recalls on file, including Support strut, Parking brake, and Buckle.

What are common problems with a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander?

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (71 of 171), then Engine (28) and Electrical system (17). Those filings include 9 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 6 that report an injury.

Is the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2015 Outlander has 234 complaints, 23 per year, and the 2017 has 51 complaints, 8 per year. The 2016 has fewer complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2017.

Has the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander been recalled?

The 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander has 8 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander?

Owners have filed 171 complaints about the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander is 25.3 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What generation is the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander?

Fourth generation (2022-on).

What oil does a Mitsubishi Outlander take?

US notes list 0W-20 for the common four-cylinder engines; confirm V6 grades in the owner's manual when equipped.

What tire size does a Mitsubishi Outlander commonly use?

Third-generation US pages often list 225/55R18; fourth-generation trims use 235/60R18 or 255/45R20.