Model year 2016 · Compact Cars

2016 Mitsubishi Lancer: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer at 25–30 mpg combined across 5 versions. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 30 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 4 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

2

EPA combined mpg

25–30

NHTSA overall rating

4/5

Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Mitsubishi dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2016 Mitsubishi Lancer recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 2 safety recalls for the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer, newest first.

Electrical system: Starter assembly: Relay

NHTSA 17V609000 Reported Sep 29, 2017
Filed by
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. SR-17-005)
Units affected
132,552 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Risk
If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Power train: Automatic transmission: Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) and 1 more component

NHTSA 16V563000 Reported Jul 28, 2016
Filed by
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. SR-16-006)
Components
Power train: Automatic transmission: Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power train: Automatic transmission
Units affected
82,436 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Risk
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2016 Mitsubishi Lancer fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2016 Mitsubishi Lancer EPA fuel economy
VersionEngineTransmissionDriveFuelCity/Hwy/CombFuel cost/yrCO2 g/mi
Lancer2.0L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel DriveRegular24/33/28 mpg$2,400322
Lancer2.0L 4-cylCVT (6 modes)Front-Wheel DriveRegular27/34/30 mpg$2,250298
Lancer2.4L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel DriveRegular22/30/25 mpg$2,700351
Lancer2.4L 4-cylCVT (6 modes)Front-Wheel DriveRegular24/31/26 mpg$2,600332
Lancer 4WD2.4L 4-cylCVT (6 modes)All-Wheel DriveRegular23/30/26 mpg$2,600336

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2016 Mitsubishi Lancer crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2016 Mitsubishi Lancer NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicleOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover riskForward collision warning
2016 Mitsubishi Lancer 4 DR AWD4 stars4 stars4 stars4 stars12.1%No
2016 Mitsubishi Lancer 4 DR FWD4 stars4 stars4 stars4 stars12.1%No

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2016 Mitsubishi Lancer owner complaints

Owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer, most recently on Aug 6, 2026. 1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 2 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer complaints
Component named in complaintsMentions
Power train21
Electrical system4
Vehicle speed control4
Engine3
Unknown or other3
Air bags1
Fuel/propulsion system1
Structure: Body1
Structure: Frame and members1
Visibility: Sun/moon roof assembly1

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Mitsubishi Lancer model years

Mitsubishi Lancer by model year
YearCombinedRecallsComplaintsOverall rating
2017 Lancer26–30 mpg064/5
2015 Lancer19–29 mpg2264/5

All Mitsubishi Lancer years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2016 Mitsubishi models

2016 Mitsubishi i-MiEV2016 Mitsubishi Outlander

Sources

  • Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
  • Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
  • Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
  • Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
  • NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Mitsubishi.