Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2016 Mitsubishi OutlanderRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 171 owner complaints for the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander. Most complaints involve power train (71) and engine (28). The EPA rates it 22–27 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4–5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
22–27mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
4–5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
8campaigns
Latest Apr 2026
Owner complaints
171
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

8 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Structure: hatchback

Free remedy

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.

StructureReported Apr 20, 2026NHTSA 26V252000

Structure: hatchback

Free remedy

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.

StructureReported Aug 7, 2025NHTSA 25V507000

Parking brake

Free remedy

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.

Parking brakeReported Nov 30, 2020NHTSA 20V741000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

171 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2016 – Sep 2026
  1. Power train71
  2. Engine28
  3. Electrical system17
  4. Service brakes17
  5. Vehicle speed control14
  6. Structure14
  7. Exterior lighting13
  8. Air bags9
  9. Steering8

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Outlander model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2003129
200452
200519
200621
2007125
200858
200946
201060
201188
201236
201368
201445
2015238
2016171
201751
201857
201929
202032
2022219
202350
202426
202516
20263
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
7
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

71 reports1 crash
“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.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 15, 2026Power train, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11764420

Engine

28 reports2 crashes1 fire
“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 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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 23, 2026Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11752307

Electrical system

17 reports2 crashes1 fire
“I have had multiple issues with this SUV. The main issue I am writing this for is because the car was hit stopped at a red light by another car going over 40 mph. The car rolled back then slammed into my car again going just as fast. The airbags did not deploy and the seatbelts did not lock. The impact actually broke the seats the passenger and I were sitting in. There were extensive injuries that happened because of this. The SUV was deemed a total loss because of the extensive damage done to the car. There were no warning messages, no recalls, etc. The SUV was inspected by a mechanic and insurance company and both said that the airbags should have gone off and the seatbelts should have locked based on the amount of damage to the SUV. I also took this SUV into the Mitsubishi dealership for all services/maintenance and nothing ever came up about any issues.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 4, 2023Electrical system, Air bags, Seat beltsCrash reportedODI 11525307
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S6) · Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Outlander 2WD
Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
253027$2,400321
Outlander 4WD
Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel Drive
242926$2,450333
Outlander 4WD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel Drive
202722$3,600391
  • Outlander 2WD
    Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    25 city · 30 hwy · $2,400/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Outlander 4WD
    Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    24 city · 29 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Outlander 4WD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    20 city · 27 hwy · $3,600/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Mitsubishi Outlander SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
18.5%
Overall
5 / 5
Mitsubishi Outlander SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.4%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 10056Vehicle 10055
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2016 Outlander questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander have?

8 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander problems?

Owners filed 171 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (71), engine (28), electrical system (17). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander at 22–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander 4–5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026