CSR

Mitsubishi · NHTSA safety record

2016 Mitsubishi Outlander

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 145 safety complaints about the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander with the US government. Of those, 8 describe a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 6 people were injured and no death is recorded. 8 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the power train, named in 64 complaints, 44% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 60,518 miles, the median across the 82 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers January 2016 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

145 complaints on file

145

Complaints

8

Describe a crash

1

Mention fire

6

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
POWER TRAIN 64 · 44%
ENGINE 20 · 14%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 15 · 10%
SERVICE BRAKES 14 · 10%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12 · 8%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 12 · 8%
STRUCTURE 12 · 8%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 12 · 8%
AIR BAGS 8 · 6%
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 6 · 4%
PARKING BRAKE 6 · 4%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 5 · 3%
0 27 54

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 145.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2021 at 23.

28 21 14 7
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2016 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2016 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test SUV AWD SUV FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 16.4% 18.5%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

8 on file

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT

26V252000 · April 20, 2026

The 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.
The risk
A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
The 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.

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. · up to 108,046 vehicles across all model years covered

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT

25V507000 · August 7, 2025

The 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.
The risk
A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
The 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

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. · up to 121,529 vehicles across all model years covered

PARKING BRAKE

20V741000 · November 30, 2020

The 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.
The risk
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.
The 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.

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. · up to 21,758 vehicles across all model years covered

SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

20V403000 · July 13, 2020

The 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.
The risk
An unrestrained occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The 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.

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. · up to 177,000 vehicles across all model years covered

PARKING BRAKE

18V070000 · January 26, 2018

The 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.
The risk
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.
The 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.

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. · up to 170,354 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY

17V609000 · September 29, 2017

The 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.
The risk
If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. · up to 132,552 vehicles across all model years covered

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

17V233000 · April 6, 2017

The 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.
The risk
If a door opens while the vehicle is being driven, it can increase the risk of injury.
The 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.

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. · up to 35,674 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

16V563000 · July 28, 2016

The 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.
The risk
A hesitation during acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. · up to 82,436 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed · 15,526 miles

COLLISION GOING 40 MPH HIT A STOPPED VEHICLE. WHOLE FRONT END BUCKLED LEAVING OVER 7G IN DAMAGE. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY

NHTSA complaint 11066677. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY

1 injured · crash · towed · 760 miles

RESPECTFULLY, WE BOUGHT OUR BRAND NEW 2016 OUTLANDER FROM THE DEALERSHIP THIS MAY. MY WIFE REAR ENDED A CAR LESS THAN A MONTH LATER ON THE HIGHWAY. SHE SAID THE CAR DIDN'T STOP WHEN SHE HIT THE BRAKES AND THAT THE BRAKES DON'T WORK. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED BY GEICO FOR $20K DAMAGE PAID AND SHE SAID SHE WASN'T DRIVING IT ANYMORE. SHE HAD MULTIPLE INJURIES FROM THE AIRBAGS AND SAW THE DOCTOR. AFTER REPAIRS, WE ENDED UP SWITCHING CARS AND THE OUTLANDER BECAME MY CAR AND I NOTICED THAT IT SEEMED VERY HEAVY LIKE IT WAS SURGING FORWARD AND RESISTED STOPPING. TWO MONTHS LATER I CHANGED THE OIL ON THE OTHER CAR, SO I ASKED HER TO TAKE THE OUTLANDER JUST FOR THE DAY. SHE DIDN'T WANT TO DRIVE IT, BUT I

NHTSA complaint 10903707, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1 injured · crash · towed · 40,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE, ABS, AND TEMPERATURE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW THE DOWN, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND CRASHED INTO A CEMENT BARRIER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V609000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT CALLED DON JACKSON CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM AT (770) 969-7259 (LOCATED AT 3950 JONESBORO RD,

NHTSA complaint 11154074, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN THE VEHICLE WAS UNEXPECTEDLY HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS SEEN IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR A CT SCAN AND SOFT TISSUE INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint 11316315. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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

NHTSA complaint 11764420, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
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 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 11762362. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

145,000 miles

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.

NHTSA complaint 11760065. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
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.

NHTSA complaint 11752307. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
transmission went out

NHTSA complaint 11718389. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

PARKING BRAKE

93,000 miles

The 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 11700107. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Mitsubishi Outlander

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 15 1 —
2024 26 1 —
2023 47 2 —
2022 216 7 —
2020 31 3 —
2019 29 5 —
2018 57 6 —
2017 51 6 —
2015 53 5 —
2014 45 4 —
2013 26 5 —
2012 22 6 —
2011 58 8 —
2010 60 10 —

Other 2016 Mitsubishi models

Lancer 30 Outlander Sport 26

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Mitsubishi on this site — 46 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst