Home · 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Mhev · Complaints

What 167 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Mhev

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (167)Crash / fire / injury (10)Transmission & drivetrain (68)Engine (27)Brakes (19)Electrical system (16)Body & structure (14)Lights (13)Speed control (13)Airbags (9)Latches & locks (8)Steering (8)

10 of 167 complaints match · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters

Jun 4, 2023Electrical systemAirbagsSeat beltsCrash1 injury

I have had multiple issues with this SUV. The main issue I am writing this for is because the car was hit stopped at a red light by another car going over 40 mph. The car rolled back then slammed into my car again going just as fast. The airbags did not deploy and the seatbelts did not lock. The impact actually broke the seats the passenger and I were sitting in. There were extensive injuries that happened because of this. The SUV was deemed a total loss because of the extensive damage done to the car. There were no warning messages, no recalls, etc. The SUV was inspected by a mechanic and insurance company and both said that the airbags should have gone off and the seatbelts should have locked based on the amount of damage to the SUV. I also took this SUV into the Mitsubishi dealership for all services/maintenance and nothing ever came up about any issues.

NHTSA ODI 11525307

Mar 5, 2020AirbagsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN THE VEHICLE WAS UNEXPECTEDLY HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS SEEN IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR A CT SCAN AND SOFT TISSUE INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11316315

Jan 30, 2020Electrical systemEngineFire

ON SEPTEMBER 2019 AROUND 10:45 PM, MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT 2016 WAS THE CAUSE OF GARAGE FIRE AT MY HOUSE. THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE /BATTERY AREA AFTER I HAD TRIED TO GIVE A JUMP START A DAY BEFORE BUT THE CAR DID NOT START. FIRE WAS MOSTLY CONTAINED UNDER THE HOOD. SINCE 2016, THE CAR WAS MOSTLY GARAGED AND SPARINGLY DRIVEN AND HAD VERY VERY LOW MILES NOT ENOUGH TO GET FIRST SERVICE IF I RECALL CORRECTLY. THE INTERIOR STILL SMELLS FRESH CAR. I HAD REGISTERED THE CAR WITH DMV AS NON OPERATIVE STATUS AND DID NOT RENEW MY INSURANCE AS I WAS NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR QUITE SOME TIME. EVEN WHEN I DROVE COUPLE OF TIME, MITSUBISHI SMELLED LIKE ROTTEN EGGS ESPECIALLY WHEN I WOULD START OR PARK AFTER A SHORT DRIVE. I ASKED THE LOCAL DEALER AND WAS NOT TOLD TO IGNORE IT. I HAVE FEW DOCUMENTS FROM DMV, INSURANCE AND PHOTOS THAT I WILL ATTACH. I NEED TO BE TOTALLY REIMBURSED FOR THE PRICE OF THE CAR. I DO HAVE FEW LOAN PAYMENT RECEIPTS , IF NEEDED TO PROVE. AFTER THE FIRE, NEITHER HOME NOR AUTO INSURANCE WILL COVER THE DAMAGE OF THE CAR. THE BURNT CAR IS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY. PLEASE HELP ASAP.

NHTSA ODI 11302972

Jul 18, 2019AirbagsSpeed controlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO RELEASE. THE CONTACT STATED SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE CAUSING IT TO CRASH INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE FAILURE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAINED ANY INJURIES OR SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11233210

Mar 21, 2019AirbagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO AN ANIMAL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.

NHTSA ODI 11190527

Nov 26, 2018BrakesElectrical systemEngineCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE, ABS, AND TEMPERATURE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW THE DOWN, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND CRASHED INTO A CEMENT BARRIER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V609000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT CALLED DON JACKSON CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM AT (770) 969-7259 (LOCATED AT 3950 JONESBORO RD, UNION CITY, GA 30291) AND WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11154074

Jul 18, 2018SteeringAirbagsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE AND RIBS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS PROVIDED AT THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER (ARNIE BAUER BUICK GMC CADILLAC, 5525 MILLER CIRCLE DRIVE, MATTESON, IL 60433), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTO BODY REPAIR SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11112196

Feb 2, 2018AirbagsCrash2 injuries

COLLISION GOING 40 MPH HIT A STOPPED VEHICLE. WHOLE FRONT END BUCKLED LEAVING OVER 7G IN DAMAGE. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY

NHTSA ODI 11066677

Aug 2, 2017SteeringTransmission & drivetrainBrakesEngineCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. ON TWO OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING. THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL AND DAMAGED THE BUMPER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE LOCKED UP AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SKYLAND AUTO GROUP (255 SMOKEY PARK HIGHWAY, ASHEVILLE, NC 28806 (828) 667-5213), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11012308

Sep 6, 2016Body & structureBrakesFuel systemCrash1 injury

RESPECTFULLY, WE BOUGHT OUR BRAND NEW 2016 OUTLANDER FROM THE DEALERSHIP THIS MAY. MY WIFE REAR ENDED A CAR LESS THAN A MONTH LATER ON THE HIGHWAY. SHE SAID THE CAR DIDN'T STOP WHEN SHE HIT THE BRAKES AND THAT THE BRAKES DON'T WORK. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED BY GEICO FOR $20K DAMAGE PAID AND SHE SAID SHE WASN'T DRIVING IT ANYMORE. SHE HAD MULTIPLE INJURIES FROM THE AIRBAGS AND SAW THE DOCTOR. AFTER REPAIRS, WE ENDED UP SWITCHING CARS AND THE OUTLANDER BECAME MY CAR AND I NOTICED THAT IT SEEMED VERY HEAVY LIKE IT WAS SURGING FORWARD AND RESISTED STOPPING. TWO MONTHS LATER I CHANGED THE OIL ON THE OTHER CAR, SO I ASKED HER TO TAKE THE OUTLANDER JUST FOR THE DAY. SHE DIDN'T WANT TO DRIVE IT, BUT I SAID JUST BE VERY CAREFUL. SHE HAD A SECOND ACCIDENT THAT DAY ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING $10K DAMAGES FOR REPAIR AND THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED THIS TIME AND HER HEAD, CHEST AND KNEES HIT HARD AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL AND DASHBOARD AND HER BACK SNAPPED AND SHE IS SEEING A CHIROPRACTOR NOW FOR THE PAIN. SHE IS A GOOD DRIVER AND HAS NEVER HIT ANYONE FROM BEHIND AND NOW HAS DONE SO TWO TIMES IN TWO MONTHS? AGAIN SHE TOLD ME THE CAR DIDN'T STOP WHEN SHE STEPPED ON THE BRAKES. LAST WEEK WE RECEIVED A FACTORY RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL FOR THE ACCELERATOR. I TOOK THE CAR IN THIS SATURDAY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. WHEN I DROVE THE CAR AFTER THE REPAIR AND APPLIED THE BRAKES NOW IN COMPARISON TO BEFORE IT STOPS VERY WELL AND IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT. I BELIEVE MITSUBISHI'S DEFECTIVE ACCELERATION SYSTEM IS THE CAUSE OF MY WIFE'S INJURIES TO HER HEAD, BACK AND KNEES. THIS ACCIDENT IS NOT MY WIFE'S FAULT AT ALL. I AM SURE THAT THIS DEFECT IN THE ACCELERATOR SYSTEM WAS THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENTS AND I AM ASKING THE NHTSA TO PLEASE RECTIFY THIS WITH MITSUBISHI FOR US TO FIND CAUSE TO BE PLACED ON MITSUBISHI'S FAULTY VEHICLE NOT US. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10903707

Working with the data? Download all 167 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 20, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Mhev verdict →