The 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander is associated with 168 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 8 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Powertrain, accounting for 46 reports (27% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 8 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2l 4-cyl, 2.4l 4-cyl, and 3l 6-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 22 to 27 MPG combined.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 168 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 8 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Powertrain (46 / 27%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 9 crash / 1 fire / 6 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 22–27 MPG (8 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Outlander Sport 2WD | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 24 MPG | 30 MPG | 27 MPG | — | $2,300 / yr |
| Outlander Sport 2WD | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 5-spd | 23 MPG | 29 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $2,450 / yr |
| Outlander Sport 2WD | 2.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 23 MPG | 28 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $2,450 / yr |
| Outlander Sport 4WD | 2L 4-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 23 MPG | 29 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $2,350 / yr |
| Outlander Sport 4WD | 2.4L 4-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 22 MPG | 27 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $2,550 / yr |
| Outlander 2WD | 2.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 25 MPG | 30 MPG | 27 MPG | — | $2,300 / yr |
| Outlander 4WD | 2.4L 4-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 24 MPG | 29 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $2,350 / yr |
| Outlander 4WD | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 20 MPG | 27 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $3,450 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| SUV FWD | | | | | 18.5% |
| SUV AWD | | | | | 16.400000000000002% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander models.
View complete 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander problems & component breakdown (61 categories) →
Affected Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
Affected Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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
Affected Component: PARKING BRAKE
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
View all 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander recalls & campaign history (8 campaigns) →