2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

The JATCO CVT has a higher-than-average failure rate in the Outlander Sport, with symptoms including slipping, jerking, loss of acceleration, and eventually complete transmission failure. The CVT belt and pulleys wear prematurely, especially in vehicles that are not serviced with regular fluid changes.

CVT fluid changes every 30,000 miles with Mitsubishi DiaQueen CVTF-J4 can extend transmission life. Once symptoms appear, the CVT usually requires a full replacement. Rebuilt or remanufactured CVTs are available at lower cost than new OEM units.

Owners report excessive body roll during cornering and a floaty, disconnected feeling at highway speeds. The soft suspension tuning prioritizes comfort over handling, but many find it makes the vehicle feel unstable during emergency maneuvers and lane changes. This is a characteristic of the aging RVR platform.

Upgrading to stiffer aftermarket shock absorbers and struts improves body control. Adding a rear sway bar (if not equipped) or upgrading to a thicker aftermarket unit reduces body roll. Alignment adjustment to factory specifications should be performed after any suspension work.

The Outlander Sport's infotainment system uses older hardware that is sluggish and prone to freezing. The touchscreen response time is noticeably slow, Bluetooth audio stutters, and the system takes a long time to pair new devices. The navigation maps, if equipped, are outdated.

Software updates from Mitsubishi offer marginal improvement. Using a wired connection for smartphone integration is more reliable. Some owners install aftermarket head units compatible with the Outlander Sport's wiring harness for a significantly improved experience.

A persistent knocking or clunking noise from the rear suspension when driving over bumps or uneven surfaces. The noise is typically caused by worn rear stabilizer bar end links or loose rear shock absorber mounting bolts. The issue develops progressively and worsens over time.

Inspect and replace the rear sway bar end links and check all rear suspension bolt torque specifications. If the rear shock absorber mounts are worn, they should be replaced along with the shocks. Worn rear trailing arm bushings can also cause knocking.

Many owners report real-world fuel economy 3-5 mpg below the EPA-estimated figures, particularly in city driving. The 2.0L engine works hard to move the vehicle due to its modest 148 horsepower, and the CVT calibration keeps RPMs high during acceleration, reducing efficiency.

Ensure proper tire inflation pressure. Replace the air filter and spark plugs at recommended intervals. A throttle body cleaning can restore throttle response. Driving in Eco mode and avoiding aggressive acceleration helps the CVT operate more efficiently. Check for dragging brakes.

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2016 Outlander and Outlander Sport vehicles. The rust prevention coating on the rear brake operating shafts could have been peeled off during the assembly process. As a result, water entering the rear brake caliper boot may cause the parking brake operating shafts to corrode and possibly bind.

If the parking brake operating shafts bind, the parking brakes may not engage or disengage fully. If the parking brakes do not engage properly, the vehicle could rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear brake caliper assemblies, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 4, 2021. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-20-005.

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Sportback, 2008-2013 Outlander, and 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.

A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied or the front cross member will be replaced with a new one. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-20-003.

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles. Water may enter between the hood and windshield and cause the front wiper link ball joint to corrode, possibly resulting in the wiper link separating and the wipers becoming inoperative.

Loss of wiper function can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rod of the wiper link and the wiper motor crank arm, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 10, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-004.

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Outlander and 2013-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles. Water may enter the rear brake calipers causing the parking brake actuator shafts to corrode and possibly bind.

If the parking brake actuator shaft binds, the parking brake may not engage or disengage fully. If the parking brake does not engage properly, the vehicle may move unexpectedly if it is parked on a slope, increasing the risk of a crash.

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear brake calipers and replace the parking brake boot and lever or the brake caliper body, as necessary. Dealers will also replace the piston assembly of the rear brake caliper. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-002.

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.

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

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.

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2016 Outlander and Outlander Sport vehicles. The inside door latch mechanisms may not latch securely in high temperatures, allowing the doors to open while vehicle is in motion.

If a door opens while the vehicle is being driven, it can increase the risk of injury.

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-002.

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured August 26, 2010, to June 1, 2012, and 2016 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured January 11, 2016, to July 8, 2016. The lift gate support outer tube on the affected vehicles may have insufficient anti-corrosion treatment that can allow the outer tube to corrode due to salt and water penetration.

If the outer tube corrodes, there may be a rapid loss of the gas used to provide lift assistance, causing the lift gate to fall suddenly, increasing the risk of injury.

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the lift gate supports, free of charge. The recall began on January 20, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-011.

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.

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

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.