2016 Mitsubishi Lancer transmission problems

The 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer has 20 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 53% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

Transmission complaints

53%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Lancer transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

16V563000TransmissionJuly 28, 2016 · 82,436 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

What owners report

“I was driving on the way home, my car started to skip and jerking. Went to Mitsubishi and told me I needed a whole new transmission replacement on a 2016 Lancer with only 81,000 miles on it. It seemed to never catch up to speed smoothly. Which I was terrified I was going to wreck otw home that day. ”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 8, 2021

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer have?

NHTSA has 20 complaints about the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer transmission — 53% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 16V563000.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.