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2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport carries 8 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering parking brake and frame and members. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Door latch recall parts unavailable.” Mitsubishi publishes short, conservative intervals: oil every 7,500 miles normal / 3,750 severe, and — unlike many rivals — an explicit CVT fluid replacement schedule rather than a 'lifetime fill' claim. Read the severe-service column honestly: stop-and-go city trips, short hops, and hot climates all qualify, and they describe how most Mirages actually live. The 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty stays intact only with documented on-schedule service.

8 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

PARKING BRAKE

Campaign #20V741000 · Nov 30, 2020

Issue: 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

Campaign #20V279000 · May 18, 2020

Issue: 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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY

Campaign #17V609000 · Sep 29, 2017

Issue: 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

Campaign #17V233000 · Jun 4, 2017

Issue: 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.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

Campaign #18V103000 · Sep 2, 2018

Issue: 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.

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

Campaign #16V867000 · Feb 12, 2016

Issue: 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.

PARKING BRAKE

Campaign #18V070000 · Jan 26, 2018

Issue: 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.

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

Campaign #16V563000 · Jul 28, 2016

Issue: 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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport.

Reported to NHTSA

Door latch recall parts unavailable

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

8 NHTSA complaints · 2017-06 → 2017-11

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE DRIVER'S DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY AND WAS DAMAGED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11031569
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V233000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) AND 17V609000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11046535
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V233000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11010179

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

CVT transmission hesitation and failure

POWER TRAIN

68 NHTSA complaints · 2016-06 → 2025-06

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11665436
“While driving on the highway the vehicle started jumping RPM and jerking violently. The RPM would rise and then dramatically fall with a clunking sound coming from CVT transmission”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11483311
“I have a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport that was purchased in 2020 with 42 thousand miles on it. While I was on the highway I started experiencing acceleration hesitation and my car gave a message saying transmission service needed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11475994

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Parking brake failure to engage or disengage

PARKING BRAKE

12 NHTSA complaints · 2018-07 → 2024-11

“The emergency brake suddenly failed to function. Applied the brake but there was no tension on the lever & no brake function occuring”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11626381
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11617095
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 20V741000 (PARKING BRAKE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11408431

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Headlight bulb failure and burnout

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

12 NHTSA complaints · 2017-07 → 2024-01

“WITH JUST 2,000 MILES ON THE SUV, THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BURNED OUT. REPLACED IT. AT 20,000 MILES, BOTH LOW BEAMS BURNED OUT AT THE SAME TIME. REPLACED THEM. AT 30,000, BOTH LOW BEAMS BURNED OUT AGAIN, AT THE SAME TIME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11003651
“THIS IS NOW MY SECOND COMPLAINT TO YOU. AGAIN ON THE HEADLIGHTS THIS TIME THEY WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME WHILE DRIVING ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY SHORTLY AFTER MIDNIGHT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11385543
“HEADLIGHTS KEEP BURNING OUT.. NOW HAVING TO REPLACE FOR THE THIRD TIME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11268116

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag non-deployment in a crash

AIR BAGS

8 NHTSA complaints · 2016-09 → 2023-06

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11316315
“COLLISION GOING 40 MPH HIT A STOPPED VEHICLE. WHOLE FRONT END BUCKLED LEAVING OVER 7G IN DAMAGE. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11066677
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO AN ANIMAL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11190527

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Service brake caliper and rotor wear

SERVICE BRAKES

9 NHTSA complaints · 2016-03 → 2023-05

“The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds and merging off the highway and entering the cloverleaf, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11521982
“The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that after he disengaged the parking brake, a burning odor was detected while driving. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the wheels were hot”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11470822
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE MAKING A TURN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD WITHOUT WARNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10851203

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 7,500 mi

Replace every 7,500 miles normal / 3,750 severe. Mirage's 1.2L three-cylinder holds barely over 3 quarts — small sumps punish stretched intervals. 0W-20 on most recent models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

CVT Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Mitsubishi schedules CVT fluid replacement — commonly every 60,000 miles normal / 30,000 severe (check your year's table). Use only the specified CVT fluid (J4/CVTF-J4 family); generic ATF destroys the belt-and-pulley unit.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate with every oil change. Light Mirages are easy on tires but the economy-focused OEM rubber wears fast when neglected.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors/drums, and lines at each service — Mirage G4 retains rear drums, which need periodic adjustment checks.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 2-3 years per the schedule. Cheap job, big ABS-unit insurance.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Iridium plugs commonly every 60,000 miles on the Mirage's 3A92 and Lancer's 4B11 — verify your year's table, as some engines list up to 105,000.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Mitsubishi's schedule replaces the engine air filter every 15,000 miles — shorter than most brands, and a 5-minute DIY on the Mirage.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Drive Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles and replace on cracking. The Mirage's single serpentine belt also drives the A/C — a failure strands the car's accessories at once.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace every 15,000 miles, behind the glovebox. Often skipped at quick-lube visits — worth checking if airflow feels weak.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement

Every 60,000 mi

First change around 60,000 miles, then roughly every 30,000-45,000 per the schedule. Mitsubishi long-life coolant or equivalent OAT for your year.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Small-battery economy cars have little reserve — the first cold snap finds a weak one.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport reflects Mitsubishi's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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