Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
The 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has a history of recall issues related to its parking brake, windshield wipers, electrical system, and structural corrosion. Potential buyers should be attentive to these areas, as they have a history of complaints and manufacturing defects. It can be a reliable choice if these issues are addressed and resolved, but thorough inspection and verification of recall work completion is essential.
NHTSA data on file today
The 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns and 26 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 2 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #20V741000 Parking Brake Operating Shafts May Corrode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V279000 Lower Control Arm May Detach Due to Corrosion NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V103000 Wiper Link Can Corrode Due to Moisture Exposure NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V070000 Parking Brake Actuators may Corrode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V609000 Engine may Stall or Overheat NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V233000 Doors may Open Unexpectedly NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V867000 Lift Gate Supports may Fail and Lift Gate may Fall NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V563000 Vehicle Hesitation when Accelerating NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine 8 complaints
- Power Train 7 complaints
- Electrical System 5 complaints
- Unknown or Other 4 complaints
- Service Brakes 3 complaints
- Steering 3 complaints
Of the 26 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash; across all 26 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Known issues to inspect
Parking brake binds
How to check: Confirm parking brake engages and releases smoothly.
Defective relays lead to stall
How to check: Inspect for completed recall work documentation.
Door latches insecure in heat
How to check: Check door latches securely lock and unlock.
Wiper link corrosion
How to check: Operate wipers; check for smooth motion.
Liftgate hinge corrosion
How to check: Inspect liftgate hinges for visible rust.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Ensure engine starts smoothly without hesitation.
Red flag: Engine stalling or struggling to start
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Listen for unusual engine noises.
Red flag: Knocking or irregular sounds
- 03
Low-speed driving
What to check: Check parking brake engages/disengages easily.
Red flag: Binding or resistance in operation
- 04
City acceleration
What to check: Observe delay in acceleration response.
Red flag: Noticeable lag when pressing accelerator
- 05
Regular braking
What to check: Feel for consistent brake response.
Red flag: Brakes feel spongy or unresponsive
- 06
Highway driving
What to check: Check for stable handling and vibrations.
Red flag: Shaking or pulling at high speeds
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the parking brake recall been addressed?
- Are there any electrical issues unrepaired?
- Have the door latches been tested recently?
- Is there rust on the liftgate hinges?
- Have all recalls been serviced?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Recall repair documentation
- Service records
- Accident history report
- Title and registration
- Warranty papers
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport at the time. AI output can be wrong; confirm anything you find with a mechanic.
Next step
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