Problems · NHTSA complaints

2016 Mitsubishi Outlander problems

Owners filed 171 complaints about the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander with NHTSA between Jan 2016 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is power train (71).

Complaints
171
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
7
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Latches/locks/linkages8
  11. Parking brake6
  12. Fuel/propulsion system5
  13. Suspension3
  14. Visibility/wiper3

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
201610
201721
201816
201923
202022
202125
202214
202317
202411
20257
20265

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Power train

71 reports1 crash1 related recall
“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 fire1 related recall
“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

Service brakes

17 reports3 crashes
“The 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?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 20, 2024Service brakesODI 11626381

Vehicle speed control

14 reports1 crash
“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 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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 27, 2026Power train, Vehicle speed controlODI 11760065

Structure

14 reports1 crash2 related recalls
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V144000 (SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE), 20V741000 (PARKING BRAKE) AND 20V279000 (STRUCTURE, SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MATTHEWS AUTO GROUP (3721 VESTAL RD, VESTAL, NY 13850, (607)584-5354) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 15, 2021Suspension, Parking brake, StructureODI 11408174
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

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