NHTSA vehicle safety data

2016 Mitsubishi Lancer Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 30 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mitsubishi dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2016 Mitsubishi Lancer owner complaints

Owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer, describing incidents dated October 5, 2016 to March 24, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Power Train 21 complaints
  • Electrical System 4 complaints
  • Vehicle Speed Control 4 complaints
  • Engine 3 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 3 complaints
  • Structure 2 complaints

Of the 30 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash; across all 30 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11755311 · Filed

    I bought this vehicle and few weeks later I noticed at a red light. When it turned green i hit the gas. My car took a few seconds, reved and then shot out into the lane. Since then it has had issues over 20 miles and when I stop its a few seconds for the car to accelerate and move which is scary on…

  • ODI #11674840 · Filed

    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 of a sudden it just…

  • ODI #11658645 · Filed

    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 to happen.

Read all 30 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Engine may Stall or Overheat

NHTSA #17V609000 · Electrical System — Starter Assembly — Relay · NHTSA notice

Reported September 29, 2017 · Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 132,552 vehicles

Repair completion: 71.31% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mitsubishi campaign SR-17-005 · Owners notified October 24, 2017 · Vehicles built December 5, 2014 – March 3, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Vehicle Hesitation when Accelerating

NHTSA #16V563000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Control Module (TCM/PCM/TECM) · NHTSA notice

Reported July 28, 2016 · Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 82,436 vehicles

Repair completion: 84.23% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mitsubishi campaign SR-16-006 · Owners notified August 15, 2016 · Vehicles built October 12, 2015 – April 27, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A hesitation during acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other Mitsubishi Lancer model years

Check your 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mitsubishi Lancer at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Mitsubishi VIN