AI Damage2016 Mitsubishi Lancer: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer filed 30 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and electrical system. The maker issued 41 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 30
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 41
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 70% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 13% of all complaints
- 3 Vehicle speed control 13% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 10% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 7% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 3% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 3% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 3% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 21 complaints (70% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 15.
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
- Vehicle speed control: 4 complaints (13% of all).
- Engine: 3 complaints (10% of all).
- Structure: 2 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- CVTnamed in 6 complaints
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 30 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 21 | 0 | 15 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 9 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 2 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
During the accident the air bags did not deploy. Resulted in injuries, of course. The car was making left handed turn from residential area onto a busy main street. And the other vehicle was not paying attention and hit the car while it was trying to turn. The car was going approximately 15-20 mph.
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 started going into limp mode, hi low hi low rev, jerking and couldn’t get over 30 mph.
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.
Loss of power on acceleration, rpms going up and down, hesitation in acceleration, going into limp mode won't accelerate over 25-40mph pulled code P084A shop believes it needs a complete replacement based on their computer systems repair procedures guidelines. Car has just over 107k miles on it and is a pre-owned.
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.
The contact engaged the parking brake. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and raised up on a lift. The vehicle was diagnosed with a severely corroded front subframe. Additionally, there were large holes in the subframe. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the vehicle was not drivable.
Additionally, speedometer became inoperable, he brake was not working as designed, and the Service Transmission message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to the dealer. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the VIN was not under recall.
The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated he was not sure if any warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to safely pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to his residence.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,087 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 48% least complained about).
On average one model year of the Lancer has 18 complaints (2 years in the data). This year has 30, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Tech Talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers
It covers various topics and reviews the previous months publications.
- Service Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin provides corrections to the description of…
Service Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin provides corrections to the description of special tools used to install the oil seal within the Automatic Transaxle sections of the applicable Service Manuals.
- Service Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin instructs dealers to diagnose and test drive…
Service Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin instructs dealers to diagnose and test drive vehicles exhibiting a shudder or surge condition possibly caused by poor reaction of the hydraulic pressure circuit.
- Service Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin provides the procedure for diagnostic trouble…
Service Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin provides the procedure for diagnostic trouble code and on-vehicle service for belt & pulley assembly on certain CVT models.
- This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 3rd…
This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 3rd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.
- This Technical Service Bulletin provides service manual corrections to the CVT maintenance procedure
- This Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of…
This Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of rap-film adhesive residue.
- This Technical Service Bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the reduction in load…
This Technical Service Bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the reduction in load carrying capacity be affixed to vehicles when the total net weight of accessories is more than 1.5 percent of…
- This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 2nd…
This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 2nd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.
- This Technical Service Bulletin contains technical information and troubleshooting for the accessory…
This Technical Service Bulletin contains technical information and troubleshooting for the accessory Remote Engine Start system for affected vehicles.
- This is a Technical Information Notice informing dealers and parts managers about possible causes after a…
This is a Technical Information Notice informing dealers and parts managers about possible causes after a customer complains that the engine will not start while using the remote start system.
- This TSB provides the addition of Diagnostic Procedure for CVT Belt Check for vehicles equipped with CVT…
This TSB provides the addition of Diagnostic Procedure for CVT Belt Check for vehicles equipped with CVT type F1CJC and W1CJC. (Service Manual Revision)
NHTSA lists 41 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, electrical system, vehicle speed control. Total complaints: 30. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: hesitation when accelerating (30%), jerking, harsh shifts (23%), loss of power / limp mode (23%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer?
NHTSA lists 41 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.