2016 Mitsubishi Outlander transmission and drivetrain problems
71 of the 171 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). Filed under the same heading: 35 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA complaint database1 of the 71 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2016: 3 · 2017: 3 · 2018: 3 · 2019: 5 · 2020: 12 · 2021: 11 · 2022: 10 · 2023: 12 · 2024: 4 · 2025: 4 · 2026: 4
Half of the 39 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 50,000 and 94,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
171 complaints in all about the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander, 4 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Power Train” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Mitsubishi Outlander transmission and drivetrain problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle hesitated upon depressing the accelerator pedal, and the engine revved. The transmission warning light illuminated and the message "Transmission Hot" was displayed.
The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated while accelerating at various speeds, the vehicle failed to shift into the intended gear. The contact then stated that the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The check engine and the transmission warning lights were illuminated.
The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, the service transmission warning light illuminated. The failure caused the gear to downshift inadvertently from 4th gear to 1st gear within seconds.
The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the transmission warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact also stated that while at a complete stop, a slight hesitation would occur upon depression of the accelerator pedal.
Vehicle would not excelerate and almost got into an accident while on highway. No warning was given beforehand, just suddenly acted this way. I had to turn my car off then on quickly to get it going because it wouldnt go. It then tells me there is a transmission problem. I then had to go 40 MPH and no more as it wouldnt let me go faster.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 16V563000 ModerateJul 28, 2016 · 82,436 vehicles
- 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.
35 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- TSB-24-23-004 Service bulletinJun 3, 2024
- Service Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin provides corrections to the description of special tools used to install the oil seal within the Automatic Transaxle sections of the applicable Service Manuals.
- TSB-20-23-001RV4 Service bulletinMar 25, 2024
- Service Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin instructs dealers to diagnose and test drive vehicles exhibiting a shudder or surge condition possibly caused by poor reaction of the hydraulic pressure circuit.
The 2 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre transmission and drivetrain problems common on the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 71 owner complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain on this model year (42% of everything owners filed about it), and 35 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 16V563000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 78,000 miles; half of them between 50,000 and 94,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.