2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (4) · Service Brakes (3) · Engine (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mitsubishi Outlander Sport model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (8)
Parking Brake 2020-11-30 · campaign 20V741000 · 21,758 vehicles
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.
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 2020-05-18 · campaign 20V279000 · 141,200 vehicles
Defect: 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 c
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:linkages 2018-02-09 · campaign 18V103000 · 158,651 vehicles
Defect: 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 Brake 2018-01-26 · campaign 18V070000 · 170,354 vehicles
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.
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:relay 2017-09-29 · campaign 17V609000 · 132,552 vehicles
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.
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:latch 2017-04-06 · campaign 17V233000 · 35,674 vehicles
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.
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 Attachments 2016-12-02 · campaign 16V867000 · 50,228 vehicles
Defect: 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) 2016-07-28 · campaign 16V563000 · 82,436 vehicles
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.
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.
Service bulletins (122)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Seat Belts 2025-11-21 · TECH TALK 289 · Other
tech talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. it covers various topics and reviews the previous months publications.
Visibility/Wiper 2024-08-07 · TECH TALK 281 · Other
tech talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. it covers various topics and reviews the previous months publications.
Electrical System 2024-07-23 · TSB-16-54-001REV · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this technical service bulletin instructs the dealer to update the hands free module software to improve the bluetooth connection when certain devices are connected to wi‐fi.
Power Train 2024-06-03 · TSB-24-23-004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service manual revision - this technical service bulletin provides corrections to the description of special tools used to install the oil seal within the automatic transaxle sections of the applicable service manuals.
Power Train 2024-03-25 · TSB-20-23-001RV4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service manual revision - this technical service bulletin instructs dealers to diagnose and test drive vehicles exhibiting a shudder or surge condition possibly caused by poor reaction of the hydraulic pressure circuit.
Power Train 2024-03-04 · TSB-20-23-001REV · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service manual revision - this technical service bulletin instructs dealers to diagnose and test drive vehicles exhibiting a shudder or surge condition possibly caused by poor reaction of the hydraulic pressure circuit.
Showing the 6 most recent of 122 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-06-07 · Unknown Or Other“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. …”
2025-02-02 · Suspension“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 somehow even a car wish will leave the floorboards soaking…”
2025-01-21 · Vehicle Speed Control“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. recalls issued for other mitsubishi models, but no…”
2024-09-29 · Unknown Or Other“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. …”
2024-09-29 · Service Brakes“the parking brake is sticking when the vehicle is in motion, and it may fails to keep the vehicle stationary when engaged. it has been occurring for a few months. there is a current recall for this issue but my vin is not included even though it’s the same issue. …”
2024-09-29 · Service Brakes“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 isn’t included but the issue is the same. this has been oc…”
2024-01-10 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:catalytic Convertor · 51,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 mitsubishi outlander sport. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle failed to respond as intended. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed catalytic converter. the contact was informed that the catalytic conve…”
2023-09-13 · Power Train · 67,700 mi“the contact owns a 2016 mitsubishi outlander sport. the contact stated while driving 15 mph, the vehicle hesitated upon depressing the accelerator pedal, and the engine revved. the transmission warning light illuminated and the message "transmission hot" was displayed. the contact continued driving, and the message "transmission fluid low" was disp…”
2023-02-15 · Power Train · 78,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 mitsubishi outlander sport. the contact stated while accelerating at various speeds, the vehicle failed to shift into the intended gear. the contact then stated that the vehicle hesitated and stalled. the check engine and the transmission warning lights were illuminated. the contact was able to restart the vehicle. the vehic…”
2022-04-04 · Exterior Lighting:headlights · 80,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 mitsubishi outlander sport. the contact stated that the passenger side headlight was inoperable and upon inspection it was discovered that the inside headlight assembly casing had melted and was damaged and the light bulb could not be replaced. repairing the failure required replacing the entire headlight assembly. the conta…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.