2016 Mitsubishi Outlander transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

• Recall 16V563000Jul 28, 201682,436 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 15, 2026HIFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   This vehicle exhibits a severe and dangerous acceleration hesitation, accompanied by a sudden, momentary loss of engine torque when pulling out from stops or trying to merge onto highways. This unexpected loss of power leaves the vehicle stranded briefly in oncoming traffic, creating an immediate crash hazard. This failure matches the exact physical defect and symptoms detailed in NHTSA Recall 16V563000 (Mitsubishi Campaign SR-16-006). The dangerous safety defect is actively…

   NHTSA complaint #11764420 · source
2. Filed Aug 27, 2026145,000 miOHAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle unintendedly decreased speed. No warning lights illuminated. A dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that an unknown recall had been completed and closed. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11760065 · source
3. Filed Jul 23, 2026ILElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The car itself should not be sold considering the number of complaints about the transmission issues. I’ve only had the car a month and Its started to stall and jerks when in acceleration. The gears started to not shift properly and the car would not go over 20 miles without jerking. I took the car back to the lot to get it fixed and then it stopped, was driving back smoothly. The car shop said they changed the transmission oil which supposedly was the problem. 2 weeks later…

   NHTSA complaint #11752307 · source
4. Filed Oct 16, 202550,000 miINTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred repeatedly after coming to a complete stop. The contact stated that because of the failure, the contact was nearly involved in several crashes. In addition, the contact stated that the failure had…

   NHTSA complaint #11693850 · source
5. Filed Sep 23, 2025CAOther / UnknownAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   On the freeway TRANSMISSION FAILURE SERVICE light came on and the cars acceleration geared, had to immediately pull over on the side of the freeway, restarted the car with emergency lights to get out of the freeway. Vehicle would not accelerate much and the rpm was switching fast up and down. Check engine light came on the next day and the diagnosis read catalytic converter needs replacement. Car does not accelerate on hills, its shifts and tugs on a regular road.

   NHTSA complaint #11689068 · source
6. Filed Feb 26, 2025NYEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   I bought a Mitsubishi outlander 2016 and just in couple of month the car doesn’t want to engage on the transmission , the SUV doesn’t go forward or backwards, it sound like the engine tend to try but the car doesn’t move

   NHTSA complaint #11644957 · source
7. Filed Jun 18, 2024PATransmission & Drivetrain

   I was driving home from work when the car started to violently shudder. I took my foot off the accelerator and it stopped, only to happen again when I resumed pressing the gas. This also causes the car to suddenly slow down somewhat dramatically. The tachometer also "bounces". I purchased this vehicle used and drove it for 6 or 7 months with no issues before this happened. I took I to a local mechanic who immediately identified it as the transmission. A check engine light…

   NHTSA complaint #11595066 · source
8. Filed May 7, 2024PATransmission & Drivetrain

   Transmission control module Shifting goes into limp mode and doesn't allow acceleration until the car is turned off and back on There are other years of my vehicle where this is an active recall. The transmission service required light comes on Codes are as follows PO776 C1560 U0114 U0100

   NHTSA complaint #11587366 · source
9. Filed Dec 9, 2023FLTransmission & Drivetrain

   While traveling on the highway, as I accelerated, my vehicle began to shutter as if it was about to stall. Then the D on the display panel began flashing and a message concerning the transmission was displayed. As I increased my speed the more the car shuttered. I researched and found that this has been an issue with this make and model of this vehicle. After calling a Mitsubishi dealership, I was informed that my vehicle has had this problem fixed. They require a couple…

   NHTSA complaint #11559276 · source
10. Filed Jul 10, 202393,000 miNYTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the transmission started slipping. The contact stated the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact retrieved a pressure code fault. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was…

    NHTSA complaint #11531420 · source
11. Filed May 12, 2023120,000 miNYTowedTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated after parking the vehicle, the vehicle would not turn off and several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact disconnected the battery, and the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the battery was replaced, but the failure reoccurred. On another occasion when the contact shifted the vehicle into drive, the computer failed to recognize that the vehicle had shift. The vehicle…

    NHTSA complaint #11521772 · source
12. Filed Apr 19, 2023ILDriver Assistance & Safety TechTransmission & Drivetrain

    This vehicle is dangerous and going to kill someone. I owned it 4 months and had to have it taken to 3 different dealerships 7 times in 6 weeks because it would die without warning while driving. It left me stranded in 2 different states and I was told every time nothing could be found as to why this would happen. However, there were several codes that came up that lead me and my mechanic to believe the transmission was failing. The dealerships did not want to fix it under…

    NHTSA complaint #11517972 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology