2016 Mitsubishi Outlander maintenance schedule

The 2016 Outlander is part of the GF/GG generation (2014-2021), sold as an SUV. Below: its service intervals with the source behind each one, the fluids it takes, the problems owners report for this year, and the NHTSA recalls issued for it.

Service schedule

What the 2016 Outlander needs, and when

Manufacturer rows link to Mitsubishi's own schedule, Independent rows to a service shop or parts retailer's published guide.

ServiceIntervalSource
Engine oil and filter

Severe schedule: 3,750 miles / 3 months

7,500 mi / 6 monthsIndependent
Engine air filter15,000 mi / 1 yearIndependent
Cabin air filter

Inspect at 7,500 miles / 6 months

15,000 mi / 1 yearIndependent
Tire rotation

Every 3,750 miles for severe duty

7,500 mi / 6 monthsIndependent
Brake fluid

Change fluid

30,000 mi / 2 yearsIndependent
Engine coolant

Extended-life interval at 85 months / 168k km

85 monthsIndependent
Transmission fluid

Check levels and condition; replace per usage

Inspect, replace as neededIndependent
Spark plugs

Standard plugs at 30k; Iridium at 105 months

30,000 mi / 105 monthsIndependent
Timing belt (6B31)

Replace timing belt (V6 6B31 only); 4-cyl use chains

60,000 miIndependent
Serpentine belt

Check engine drive belts for wear

30,000 miIndependent
Differential and transfer case fluid

Check condition and levels

30,000 mi / 40 monthsIndependent
12V battery

Test and clean terminals

15,000 mi / 1 yearIndependent

Intervals are for normal driving; towing, short trips, extreme heat or dust shorten them. Services we could not find an interval for are left off rather than guessed.

Fluids and engines

What goes in it

Engine oil
0W-20 / 5W-30
Transmission fluid
DiaQueen CVTF-J4 (CVT) / ATF-J3 (6AT)

Powertrains in this generation

  • 2.0L 4-cyl (4J11), 152 hp, CVT, FWD/AWD
  • 2.4L 4-cyl (4J12), 165 hp, CVT, FWD/AWD
  • 3.0L 6-cyl (6B31), 6AT, AWD

Confirm the exact spec against the owner's manual or the label under the hood; capacities vary by engine and drivetrain.

Known problems

What 2016 Outlander owners run into

Problems reported for this model year, with the mileage they tend to show up at. Buying past a window is not automatically a pass - it just needs to be priced in.

Refrigerant Pressure Switch

medium severity

$545-$587 to fix

AC malfunctioning/no cold air

Source: repairpal.com

Backup Warning Sensor

low severity

$546-$626 to fix

Parking assist failure

Source: repairpal.com

Safety recalls

8 NHTSA recalls for the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander

From NHTSA's recall database, matched by model and year. Recall repairs are free at Mitsubishi dealers, and a given car may already be fixed or fall outside a campaign, so check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.

April 2026

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Outlander PHEV and 2014-2020 Outlander vehicles. The liftgate gas spring cylinders may corrode and lose pressure, which can result in a gas spring cylinder rupture or the liftgate falling unexpectedly.

Remedy: MMNA will replace the left and right liftgate gas springs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 17, 2026. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-26-001. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov June 3, 2026. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V507.

August 2025

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Outlander PHEV and 2014-2020 Outlander vehicles sold and/or currently registered in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The liftgate gas spring cylinders may corrode and lose pressure, which can result in a gas spring cylinder rupture or the liftgate falling unexpectedly.

Remedy: MMNA will replace the left and right liftgate gas springs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2025. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-25-002

Parking brake

NHTSA 20V741000

November 2020

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2016 Outlander and Outlander Sport vehicles. The rust prevention coating on the rear brake operating shafts could have been peeled off during the assembly process. As a result, water entering the rear brake caliper boot may cause the parking brake operating shafts to corrode and possibly bind.

Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear brake caliper assemblies, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 4, 2021. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-20-005.

Seat belts

NHTSA 20V403000

July 2020

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Outlander and 2018-2019 Outlander PHEV vehicles. The second-row center seat belt buckle may interfere with the right-side seat belt buckle when the seat backs are folded down. The interference may cause the right-side seat belt buckle cover to come off, making the buckle latch inoperable and unable to restrain an occupant.

Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will modify the second-row center seat belt buckle cover, install a new warning label to the second-row seat support base, and provide a new warning label insert for the owner's manual, free of charge. The recall began September 1, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-20-004.

Parking brake

NHTSA 18V070000

January 2018

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Outlander and 2013-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles. Water may enter the rear brake calipers causing the parking brake actuator shafts to corrode and possibly bind.

Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear brake calipers and replace the parking brake boot and lever or the brake caliper body, as necessary. Dealers will also replace the piston assembly of the rear brake caliper. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-002.

Electrical system

NHTSA 17V609000

September 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.

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.

Latches/locks/linkages

NHTSA 17V233000

April 2017

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2016 Outlander and Outlander Sport vehicles. The inside door latch mechanisms may not latch securely in high temperatures, allowing the doors to open while vehicle is in motion.

Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-002.

Power train

NHTSA 16V563000

July 2016

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.

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.

Running costs

What maintenance typically costs

A typical year of maintenance
$519

Typical US independent-shop estimates for this generation; they vary by region and condition.

Other Outlander model years

GN (2022-2026)

GF/GG (2014-2021)

Shopping new? The Mitsubishi Outlander guide covers the current model, with what it costs to keep for 1 to 15 years.

Sources

Researched 2026-09-22. Modeling, not mechanic advice - always confirm against your car's owner's manual and service records.

Running an Outlander for income?

Carlyle scores the exact listing on cost per remaining mile and projected Turo income, so you know what a 2016 Outlander earns before you buy it.

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