2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Problems: 17 Known Issues

On the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander, mitsubishi recalled certain 2016 Outlander vehicles because the rust prevention coating on the rear brake operating shafts may have been peeled off during assembly. With that protection gone, water that gets past the rear brake caliper boot can reach the parking brake operating shafts and corrode them. A corroded shaft can bind, leaving the parking brake unable to engage or release fully. NHTSA lists 21,758 vehicles for the campaign as a whole, which also covers the Outlander Sport; the figure is campaign-wide and is not a count of Outlanders. Mitsubishi's internal number for the recall is SR-20-005, and owner notification letters went out May 4, 2021.

On the 2014-2016 Mitsubishi Outlander, mitsubishi recalled 2014-2016 Outlander models because water can get into the rear brake calipers. Once inside, the parking brake actuator shaft corrodes and can bind. On an Outlander with a bound actuator shaft, the parking brake may not engage or release fully — so a vehicle parked on a slope can roll away unexpectedly, which is why NHTSA treats this as a crash risk. The campaign (NHTSA ID 18V070000, Mitsubishi's own number SR-18-002) covers 170,354 vehicles in total across every model and year included in the recall.

On the 2014-2022 Mitsubishi Outlander, the PHEV blends friction braking with motor regeneration through the RBS control unit, which cross-checks wheel speed sensors, the brake stroke sensor and the motor controllers. If any of those inputs disagrees — most commonly a failing rear wheel speed sensor, but also a dragging caliper that makes actual deceleration exceed what the system commanded — the RBS unit faults out. Owners on the PHEV forum describe the RBS warning appearing on a long descent, followed immediately by 'safe mode' with no acceleration available, sometimes accompanied by an 'EV system service required' message after running on the engine. The car still stops (friction brakes remain), but the sudden loss of drive on a grade or in traffic is the safety concern.

On the 2007-2020 Mitsubishi Outlander, the Jatco CVT in the Outlander is prone to premature failure, particularly under heavy loads and in hot climates. The CVT belt and pulleys wear prematurely, leading to slipping, shuddering, and eventual complete transmission failure, often between 60,000 and 100,000 miles.

On the 2016-2024 Mitsubishi Outlander, mitsubishi's TSB-20-23-001 (revised through March 2024) documents a shudder or surge on F1CJC/W1CJC CVT-8 transaxles in the 2016-2020 Outlander 2.4L (4J12) and the 2022-2024 Outlander 2.5L (PR25DD, Nissan-platform 4th gen). Poor reaction of the hydraulic pressure circuit lets the steel belt slip repeatedly under acceleration; the abrasion powder then contaminates the valve body and sets a warning light. Owners describe it as engine flare, lack of acceleration, or car shake. The bulletin applies only to gasoline models, not the PHEV, whose drive unit is a different design.

On the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander 4J12, on 2016 Outlanders with the 2.4L 4J12 and the Jatco CVT-8 (F1CJC/W1CJC), built May 11, 2015 to April 26, 2016, the CVT control unit software can misread a momentary loss of the inhibitor (range) switch signal. The result is a delay or hesitation when accelerating from a standstill, or when getting back on the throttle after cruising or coasting. NHTSA campaign 16V563 also covers 2015-2016 Outlander Sport and 2016 Lancer. The later shudder/surge TSB (TSB-20-23-001) requires this recall to be completed first.

On the 2016-2018 Mitsubishi Outlander 4J12, mitsubishi investigated cooler-hose leakage on 2016–2018 Outlanders with the 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and F1CJC/W1CJC CVT8 transmission. July 2018 notice TIN-18-23-003 states that collection of cooler, hose and clamp assemblies was complete and supersedes the earlier collection request. It directs subsequent leakage cases to normal diagnosis and repair, not universal hose replacement.

On the 2014-2022 Mitsubishi Outlander, the steel cylinder of each tailgate gas spring is protected only by a heat-shrink resin sleeve. Salt water works its way under the spring's dust cap, sits against the bare cylinder wall and corrodes it. Because the cylinder holds high-pressure gas, a corroded wall can either lose pressure — so the liftgate no longer holds itself up and falls on whoever is loading the cargo area — or rupture outright. Mitsubishi first recalled 91,697 vehicles in 28 salt-belt states plus DC in 2025 (25V507 / SR-25-002), then expanded the campaign nationwide in April 2026 to 108,046 vehicles after finding corrosion outside the salt belt.

On the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander, certain 2016 Outlanders built May 11, 2015–March 14, 2016 have door-latch components made outside dimensional specification. In high temperatures, a latch may not secure the door, which can then open while driving and cause injury. Recall 17V233 / SR-17-002 lists 35,674 vehicles across Outlander and Outlander Sport; eligibility is VIN-specific.

On the 2014-2021 Mitsubishi Outlander, the panoramic/power sunroof tray is not sealed — it is designed to catch water and route it out through four drain hoses, two down the A-pillars and two down the rear quarter panels. The front hoses exit behind the front inner fender liners, where road spray packs them with grit, and the tray corners collect pollen and tree debris. Once a hose blocks, the tray overflows at the corner and the water goes where it wants: down the A-pillar trim onto the front carpet, out through the headliner leaving brown stains, or into the B-pillar. Owners frequently discover it after a touch-free car wash or the first heavy rain. Because the water lands on floor-mounted electrical connectors and modules, a neglected drain turns into a much larger electrical bill.

On the 2015-2017 Mitsubishi Outlander, a relay supplier used an improper maintenance procedure on its welding machine, so internal welds inside several relays used in the Outlander's engine-bay relay box were made incorrectly and can lose proper electrical conduction. Depending on which relay is affected, the result differs: failure of the engine control unit relay kills the engine while driving and the vehicle cannot be restarted; failure of the relay feeding the MIVEC variable valve lift assembly triggers a check engine light and reduced power; failure of the radiator fan relay stops the cooling fan and lets the engine overheat. Because it is a manufacturing defect in a specific production batch rather than a wear item, failures show up suddenly and at low mileage.

On the 2014-2021 Mitsubishi Outlander, the PHEV isolates its CHAdeMO fast-charge port from the traction pack with quick-charge contactors. An abnormal-current event during a DC fast charge session — a station that drops or spikes current, or a handshake that aborts mid-session — can weld the negative quick-charge contactor closed. Once welded, the EV-ECU can no longer prove the fast-charge circuit is isolated, so it sets P101C and throws 'EV system service required'; owners on the PHEV forum report the fault appearing immediately after a fast charge, sometimes with the charging station itself reporting 'failure to communicate with vehicle'. AC (Type 1/Type 2) charging often still works, which is what makes people mis-blame the charge point rather than the car.

On the 2014-2019 Mitsubishi Outlander, recall 20V403000 (SR-20-004) covers certain 2014–2019 Outlanders and 2018–2019 Outlander PHEVs. If the owner's manual folding sequence is not followed, the center buckle can contact the right-side buckle when the seat backs are folded. The right-side buckle cover may come off, preventing engagement with the belt tongue and reducing occupant restraint in a crash.

On the 2007-2020 Mitsubishi Outlander 6B31 3.0L V6, a recurring and expensive owner mistake on V6 Outlanders: buyers and even some independent shops assume a modern V6 has a timing chain, so the belt never gets changed. The 6B31 3.0L V6 fitted to the Outlander runs a rubber timing belt with a service interval around 105,000 miles. Worse, the design changed: early 2007-2009 engines used pistons with valve reliefs and are non-interference, so a snapped belt merely stranded the car, while later 6B31s are interference — a broken belt lets the pistons hit open valves and typically bends valves and damages guides. Mitsubishi enthusiast forum threads are full of owners discovering the belt only after it fails, and of 'belt or chain?' confusion threads. The 2.4L four-cylinder in the same body is chain-driven, which is exactly why the confusion persists.

On the 2007-2020 Mitsubishi Outlander, the AC compressor in the Outlander is prone to premature failure, with the internal clutch bearing seizing or the compressor developing internal leaks. Failure typically occurs between 60,000 and 90,000 miles, leaving the vehicle without air conditioning.

On the 2014-2026 Mitsubishi Outlander, the Outlander develops front suspension clunking and knocking noises over bumps and rough roads. Worn front stabilizer bar end links and strut mount bearings are the primary culprits, with noise appearing as early as 30,000 miles.

On the 2013-2020 Mitsubishi Outlander, mitsubishi TSB 20-15-001REV covers 2013–2020 Outlander and, separately, 2018 Outlander PHEV. Anti-icing water can corrode the heat protector and cause rattling.