2016 Mitsubishi LANCER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Mitsubishi LANCER has 38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is transmission problems (53% of all complaints), specifically: i have been driving this car for a couple of months now and every once in a while very randomly i experienced a loss of acceleration completely. it happens after a long period of driving and when i'm coming up to a stop sign and going to accelerate again after doing research online and taking it to .

1 crash report 2 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

TRANSMISSION

20 complaints

53%

• I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS CAR FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS NOW AND EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE VERY RANDOMLY I EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ACCELERATION COMPLETELY. IT HAPPENS AFTER A LONG PERIOD OF DRIVING AND WHEN I'M COMING UP TO A STOP SIGN AND GOING TO ACCELERATE AGAIN AFTER DOING RESEARCH ONLINE AND TAKING IT TO
• I HAVE NOTICED AN ISSUE WITH MY CARS ACCELERATION FROM A 0 MILE PER HOUR STARTING POINT TO A 30 MPH. IT IS VERY SUDDEN AND RANDOM. IT HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES FROM A STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN. THERE IS A SECOND TO AS LONG AS 4 SECOND HESITATION IN ACCELERATION. ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS
• THE LIGHT STATING TO SERVICE MY TRANSMISSION CAME ON. THE MAINTENANCE MILEAGE WAS WITHIN STATED PARAMETERS.SERVICE WAS COMPLETED, TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED. DROVE AWAY AND THE LIGHT TURNED ON. MY TRANSMISSION FAILED IN APRIL OF 2019.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS CAR FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS NOW AND EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE VERY RANDOMLY I EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ACCELERATION COMPLETELY. IT HAPPENS AFTER A LONG PERIOD OF DRIVING AND WHEN I'M COMING UP TO A STOP SIGN AND GOING TO ACCELERATE AGAIN AFTER DOING RESEARCH ONLINE AND TAKING IT TO ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

4 complaints

11%

• I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS CAR FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS NOW AND EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE VERY RANDOMLY I EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ACCELERATION COMPLETELY. IT HAPPENS AFTER A LONG PERIOD OF DRIVING AND WHEN I'M COMING UP TO A STOP SIGN AND GOING TO ACCELERATE AGAIN AFTER DOING RESEARCH ONLINE AND TAKING IT TO
• THE CAR DOESNT CRANK AND WE HAVE TO WAIT LIKE 2 OR 3 MIN AND THEN WILL CRANK BUT STRUGGLING.
• The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer. 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 r

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

— NHTSA complaint filing

SPEED CONTROL

4 complaints

11%

• AS I WAS DRIVING IT IT SEEMS TO HESITATE ON ACCELERATING AFTER A FEW STOPS THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT WOULD COME ON FOR A LITTLE BIT THEN GO OFF. SAME WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. AS I WAS DRIVING IT TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY.. IT SUDDENLY STARTED LOSING POWER AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND PARK IT AT A
• WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR STARTS OUT REALLY SLOW. THERE IS A LOT OF JERKING AND ACCELERATION ISSUES. WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE, IT ACTS LIKE IT IS SHIFTED TO L, BUT THEN IT SPEEDS UP. THIS IS A CONSTANT ISSUE.
• I purchased this car in 2016 brand new from the dealer. Have kept up with its maintenance but in the past couple of months, the car is not taking off. What I mean by that is that the transmission slips and won't allow the car to gain speed there is a delay in the car accelerating. This is the secon

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“AS I WAS DRIVING IT IT SEEMS TO HESITATE ON ACCELERATING AFTER A FEW STOPS THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT WOULD COME ON FOR A LITTLE BIT THEN GO OFF. SAME WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. AS I WAS DRIVING IT TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY.. IT SUDDENLY STARTED LOSING POWER AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND PARK IT AT A”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

3 complaints

• Our 2016 lancer has suddenly started hesitating/ taking seconds to shift from park to reverse/drive. Also while driving vehicle its rpms fluctuate causing a shudder and surge in power or acceleration. This is a very alarming problem as it puts mine and my kids safety as it hesitates to shift and whi
• 2016 SE 2.4L AWC. Purchased car in February 2022 at 66k miles. In December of 2022 at 78k miles, car lost majority power while traveling at 40 MPH, threw 'Tranmission Servie Required' warning light. Drove 3 blocks home, parked for 2 hours. Turned car on and drove normally without lights. Previous ev
• 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. This model of Mitsubishi has had

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“Our 2016 lancer has suddenly started hesitating/ taking seconds to shift from park to reverse/drive. Also while driving vehicle its rpms fluctuate causing a shudder and surge in power or acceleration. This is a very alarming problem as it puts mine and my kids safety as it hesitates to shift and whi”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

3 complaints

• The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 50 MPH, the RPM increased from 2,000 to 5,000. Additionally, speedometer became inoperable, he brake was not working as designed, and the Service Transmission message was displayed. The vehicl
• 2016 SE 2.4L AWC. Purchased car in February 2022 at 66k miles. In December of 2022 at 78k miles, car lost majority power while traveling at 40 MPH, threw 'Tranmission Servie Required' warning light. Drove 3 blocks home, parked for 2 hours. Turned car on and drove normally without lights. Previous ev

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 50 MPH, the RPM increased from 2,000 to 5,000. Additionally, speedometer became inoperable, he brake was not working as designed, and the Service Transmission message was displayed. The vehicl”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 38 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS CAR FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS NOW AND EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE VERY RANDOMLY I EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ACCELERATION COMPLETELY. IT HAPPENS AFTER A LONG PERIOD OF DRIVING AND WHEN I'M COMING UP TO A STOP SIGN AND GOING TO ACCELERATE AGAIN AFTER DOING RESEARCH ONLINE AND TAKING IT TO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS CAR FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS NOW AND EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE VERY RANDOMLY I EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ACCELERATION COMPLETELY. IT HAPPENS AFTER A LONG PERIOD OF DRIVING AND WHEN I'M COMING UP TO A STOP SIGN AND GOING TO ACCELERATE AGAIN AFTER DOING RESEARCH ONLINE AND TAKING IT TO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: AS I WAS DRIVING IT IT SEEMS TO HESITATE ON ACCELERATING AFTER A FEW STOPS THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT WOULD COME ON FOR A LITTLE BIT THEN GO OFF. SAME WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. AS I WAS DRIVING IT TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY.. IT SUDDENLY STARTED LOSING POWER AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND PARK IT AT A
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: Our 2016 lancer has suddenly started hesitating/ taking seconds to shift from park to reverse/drive. Also while driving vehicle its rpms fluctuate causing a shudder and surge in power or acceleration. This is a very alarming problem as it puts mine and my kids safety as it hesitates to shift and whi
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)