2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jun 7, 2025 · 26 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Outlander Sport years
About as many complaints as other years 6th of 16 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
4 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 26 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. That ranks 6th out of 16 Outlander Sport model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (8 complaints, 31%), typically at around 12,000 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 1 injury. There are 8 safety recalls covering this model year.

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Mitsubishi Outlander. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: ajay_suresh, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Engine8 · ~12,000 mi
Power Train7 · ~54,411 mi
Electrical System5 · ~12,000 mi
Unknown or Other4
Service Brakes3 · ~44,000 mi
Steering3 · ~17,500 mi
Latches/locks/linkages2 · ~14,156 mi
Structure2 · ~15,700 mi
Vehicle Speed Control2 · ~6,060 mi
Air Bags1 · ~16,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Engine831%12,000——
Power Train727%54,411——
Electrical System519%12,000——
Unknown or Other415%———
Service Brakes312%44,000——
Steering312%17,500——
Latches/locks/linkages28%14,156——
Structure28%15,700——
Vehicle Speed Control28%6,060——
Air Bags14%16,000——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)14%———
Engine and Engine Cooling14%51,000——
Exterior Lighting14%80,000——
Fuel System, Gasoline14%12,400——
Suspension14%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2019, with 5 complaints
2016: 1201612017: 4201742018: 4201842019: 5201952021: 2202122022: 1202212023: 2202322024: 4202442025: 320253

n = 26 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport recalls (8)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Parking brakeNov 30, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V741000 · 21,758 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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.

Fix: 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.

Structure:frame and members; suspension:front:control arm:lower armMay 18, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V279000 · 141,200 vehicles

Problem: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Sportback, 2008-2013 Outlander, and 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.

Risk: A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied or the front cross member will be replaced with a new one. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-20-003.

Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:linkagesFeb 9, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V103000 · 158,651 vehicles

Problem: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles. Water may enter between the hood and windshield and cause the front wiper link ball joint to corrode, possibly resulting in the wiper link separating and the wipers becoming inoperative.

Risk: Loss of wiper function can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rod of the wiper link and the wiper motor crank arm, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 10, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-004.

Parking brakeJan 26, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V070000 · 170,354 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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.

Fix: 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.

Electrical system:starter assembly:relaySep 29, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V609000 · 132,552 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latchApr 6, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V233000 · 35,674 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachmentsDec 2, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V867000 · 50,228 vehicles

Problem: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured August 26, 2010, to June 1, 2012, and 2016 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured January 11, 2016, to July 8, 2016. The lift gate support outer tube on the affected vehicles may have insufficient anti-corrosion treatment that can allow the outer tube to corrode due to salt and water penetration.

Risk: If the outer tube corrodes, there may be a rapid loss of the gas used to provide lift assistance, causing the lift gate to fall suddenly, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the lift gate supports, free of charge. The recall began on January 20, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-011.

Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)Jul 28, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V563000 · 82,436 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

I have a CVT system on my SUV and the transmission keeps slipping. A transmission light comes on and the car starts to stall. It happens mostly in stop and go traffic.

Unknown or Other · received Jun 7, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11665436

In less than one year with this car, 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT, is hesitating when accelerating then jerking forward into 4th gear, while driving at various speeds, the steering column vibrates makes loud sound, I’ve replaced the headlights at least 6x, water is getting in the vehicle…

Suspension · received Feb 2, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11640158

Transmission light frequently comes on, car stalls/sluggish to respond. Has occurred while driving or at rest. No change despite several transmission servicing/towing expenses. Per online research, others experiencing same issues. Often resolves temporarily by turning off engine and restarting car…

Vehicle Speed Control · received Jan 21, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11637509

Unknown. The transmission service light comes on and the vehicle drags until you turn the car off and restart it. I noticed online there's a CVT transmission recall and was wondering if this is what is happening to my vehicle.

Unknown or Other · received Sep 29, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11617093

The parking brake is sticking when the vehicle is in motion, and it fails to keep the vehicle stationary when engaged. The car cannot operate correctly with the emergency brake engaged. Also it’s not safe since the car cannot be secured. There is an open recall for this issue however my VIN…

Service Brakes · received Sep 29, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11617095

Other Mitsubishi Outlander Sport years

← 2015 Outlander Sport · 2017 Outlander Sport →

See all Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problems by year, every Mitsubishi model, or the Mitsubishi VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?

Owners most often report engine, power train, electrical system problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 8 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?

Yes, 8 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Outlander Sport model years, the 2016 has about as many complaints as a typical year, and NHTSA rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.