Mitsubishi · Lancer · 2016
2016 Mitsubishi Lancer
2
Recalls
29
Complaints
4/5
Safety Rating
The 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer has 2 recalls and 29 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: power train (15 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is power train with 15 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer currently shows 2 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 29 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 4/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are power train (15), electrical system (2), power train,vehicle speed control (2).
- Vehicle
- 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer
- Recalls
- 2
- Complaints
- 29
- Safety Rating
- 4/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
12.1% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: NoLane Departure Warning: No
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 17V609000September 29, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 16V563000July 28, 2016
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
29 totalPOWER TRAIN
May 24, 2025
It’s throwing a P084A code and it feels like the transmission is about to let loose. I bought the car with 30,000 on it in 2016 and it has a hair over 136,000 and ever since I’ve had it it’s always had this transmission lag jerk in it. Very scuttle but you can feel it. Then all o...
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POWER TRAIN
Apr 2, 2025
Recently the transmission has started to shudder when first driving from a stop. It only happens under low acceleration. If you push the accelerator pedel firmly it will not shudder. Wondering if this is a recall about to happen? It started on or about 4/2/2025 but is continuing ...
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POWER TRAIN
Feb 20, 2025
The car is bucking hi low hi low and then the service transmission light is coming on. We brought the car in a couple of weeks ago and I thought this was suppose to he fixed. It is alot worse now
POWER TRAIN
Aug 1, 2024
Purchased the vehicle with only 59K miles in May 2024. Transmission immediately started acting up, hesitating, jumping RPMs, and delayed acceleration and loss of power. Service Transmission light came on once but after restarting the light turned off, but still has the issues. Ha...
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STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jul 18, 2024
I've had the vehicle for 7 years and after inspection performed by the dealer, there is so much subframe rot that my car will not pass the next inspection due in April. I've contacted Mitsubishi and they said there is nothing they can do as there isn't any recall. This model of...
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POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 15, 2023
I purchased this car in 2016 brand new from the dealer. Have kept up with its maintenance but in the past couple of months, the car is not taking off. What I mean by that is that the transmission slips and won't allow the car to gain speed there is a delay in the car accelerating...
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POWER TRAIN
Jul 6, 2023
CVT transmission will not catch gears as it keeps slipping. Leaves it in limp mode. Unable to accelerate beyond 25MPH. CVT fluid/ filter Service intervals have been correct as well as a fresh J4 CVT fluid/filter service at dealership. This had occurred at 103,XXX miles. Wildly, I...
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POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Dec 19, 2022
2016 SE 2.4L AWC. Purchased car in February 2022 at 66k miles. In December of 2022 at 78k miles, car lost majority power while traveling at 40 MPH, threw 'Tranmission Servie Required' warning light. Drove 3 blocks home, parked for 2 hours. Turned car on and drove normally without...
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VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
Nov 20, 2022
Vehicle accelerates by it self
STRUCTURE
Sep 5, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated while driving down his driveway at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal popping sound coming from underneath the front end of the vehicle. The contact engaged the parking brake. The vehicle was taken to an indepe...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 29 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2016 Mitsubishi models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Mitsubishi Lancer Years
2017 Mitsubishi LancerCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.6c2015 Mitsubishi LancerCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.1r26c2014 Mitsubishi LancerCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.23c2013 Mitsubishi LancerCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.5c2012 Mitsubishi LancerCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.1r19c2011 Mitsubishi LancerCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.3r49c
Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer have?
The 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer?
NHTSA has received 29 owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer?
The 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer are power train (15 reports), electrical system (2 reports), power train,vehicle speed control (2 reports).
Does the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.