2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Problems: 13 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, the motor controllers and the traction battery's ability to accept regenerated charge. In owner reports the fault most often appears during heavy regeneration and has traced to the traction battery (high cell-voltage codes such as P1A31, or a water-damaged pack replaced by the dealer); a failing wheel speed sensor or dragging caliper is also suggested. 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 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 2014-2022 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 121,529 vehicles sold or registered in 27 salt-belt states plus DC in 2025 (25V507 / SR-25-002), then in April 2026 extended the recall to the rest of the US with a second campaign (26V252 / SR-26-001) covering another 108,046 vehicles after finding corrosion outside the salt belt. The recalls cover 2014-2020 Outlanders and 2018-2022 Outlander PHEVs.

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 2016-2020, 2022-2024 Mitsubishi Outlander, mitsubishi's bulletin says CVT-8 transmissions may shudder or surge, possibly caused by poor reaction of the hydraulic pressure circuit. With continued driving the CVT belt may slip repeatedly when accelerating and abrasion powder may enter the hydraulic circuit, turning on a warning light with P0776, P0730, P0741, P084A, P0969 or P2719; owners may describe it as engine flare, lack of acceleration or car shake. Applies to: 2022-2024 Outlander with the 2.5L engine and 2016-2020 Outlander with the 2.4L engine, with F1CJC/W1CJC (CVT-8) transmissions. It excludes every Outlander Plug-in Hybrid.

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, on 2016–2018 Outlanders with the 2.4-litre four-cylinder and the CVT8 transmission (F1CJC/W1CJC), engine coolant runs through water hoses to the CVT fluid cooler. The hose connections at that cooler can leak coolant. In February 2018 Mitsubishi asked dealers to collect the cooler, hose and clamp sets so it could investigate the leak (TIN-18-23-001). The July 2018 notice TIN-18-23-003 said enough parts had been collected. Its photos show coolant residue on the Outlander's CVT8 cooler. Mitsubishi later issued TSB-20-14-002 (August 2020), which covers 2016–2020 Outlanders and explains the cause. Heat breaks down the CVT water hose where the clamp presses on it. Over time the hose's seal gets weaker than the coolant pressure, and coolant leaks out.

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 2014-2020 Mitsubishi Outlander, water containing anti-icing agents may splash onto the exhaust manifold heat protector and corrode it, which can create a rattling noise. Applies to: third-generation Outlander (model code GF0W, 2014-2020 in the US), including the 2018 Outlander PHEV.