Is the 2016 Mitsubishi LANCER reliable?

The 2016 Mitsubishi LANCER has 38 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.1x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Mitsubishi LANCER?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (20 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (4 complaints, avg repair $500); SPEED CONTROL (4 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Mitsubishi LANCER?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM). Contact any Mitsubishi dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Mitsubishi LANCER?

The 2016 Mitsubishi LANCER gets 27 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1778. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Mitsubishi LANCER?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Mitsubishi LANCER is approximately $1,449/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Mitsubishi LANCER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Mitsubishi LANCER has 38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.1x the segment average of 36. 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 . There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.

1 crash report 2 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

1.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

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

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Mitsubishi LANCER

Based on 15 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 60K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 69K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (2)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY29/09/2017

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.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Mitsubishi LANCER

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,778

Per month

$148

Per mile

14.8¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,182/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,412/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Mitsubishi LANCER

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,449

Full coverage / month

$121

Liability only / year

$598

vs US avg

-13%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1449

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Mitsubishi New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

5 yr / 60K mi

Powertrain

10 yr / 100K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

7 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / unlimited mi

10 year powertrain not transferable

These are the terms for a new Mitsubishi. If you're buying a used 2016 LANCER, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Mitsubishi dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

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
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Mitsubishi dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)