Service Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin provides corrections to the description of special tools used to install the oil seal within the Automatic Transaxle sections of the applicable Service Manuals.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Mitsubishi Lancer powertrain problems
moderate 20 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 20 powertrain complaints filed for the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 8 model years of Mitsubishi Lancer in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Service Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin instructs dealers to diagnose and test drive vehicles exhibiting a shudder or surge condition possibly caused by poor reaction of the hydraulic pressure circuit.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin instructs dealers to diagnose and test drive vehicles exhibiting a shudder or surge condition possibly caused by poor reaction of the hydraulic pressure circuit.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin provides the procedure for diagnostic trouble code and on-vehicle service for belt & pulley assembly on certain CVT models.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Technical Service Bulletin provides service manual corrections to the CVT maintenance procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2016 Mitsubishi Lancers report widespread CVT failures featuring hesitation on acceleration, RPM surging, rough or delayed gear engagement, and complete loss of power at highway speeds. Most problems emerge between 27,000 and 60,000 miles; some owners experience a second failure shortly after warranty-covered replacement. Several owners reference NHTSA Recall Campaign 16V563000, which targeted CVT issues and generates code P084A. However, dealerships and Mitsubishi customer service frequently deny recall eligibility despite matching symptoms and vehicle year, claiming the owner's VIN was not flagged or that prior repairs exclude them from further assistance.
Owners report erratic workarounds: one had transmission fluid changed four times; another drove in limp mode unable to exceed 25 mph. One owner spent over $21,000 on repairs across the vehicle's drivetrain and electrical systems in fewer than 70,000 miles. A secondary complaint—wet passenger flooring with a radiator-fluid odor—persists at one owner's vehicle since purchase; the dealership repeatedly blamed spillage and refused to investigate.
The pattern suggests either missed recall applications or a design defect affecting multiple production batches. Safety concerns are acute: loss of power on busy highways and delayed acceleration during traffic merges create genuine collision risk.
Failure modes owners describe
CVT transmission hesitation, harsh shifting, and early failure
CVT gears engage slowly or roughly; RPMs fluctuate wildly; transmission shudders or jerks during acceleration or gear changes. Owners report the transmission fails prematurely—some report second transmission failure after replacement. Affects vehicles from low mileage (27k–30k at purchase) to higher mileage (76k–107k at failure).
When: Starts between 27k–60k miles, often worsens by 80k–107k miles; some failures occur 20k miles after replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation or delayed acceleration from stops; takes 1–4 seconds to engage; Rough, jerky shifting; sudden lurching or bucking; RPM fluctuations and surging power; Transmission shudder under light or moderate acceleration; Loss of power while driving at highway speeds (40–80 mph); Inability to accelerate beyond 25–30 mph (limp mode); Transmission slips; fails to catch gears or enter higher gears
Codes mentioned: P084A, Service Transmission warning light
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported CVT replacement at dealership (no documentation provided). Another had transmission fluid changed multiple times (at 30k, 55k, 80k, 98k miles) without resolving the issue. One received a quote for repair but was offered no assistance. Owners cite thousands in out-of-pocket costs or warranty claims; one owner reports over $21,000 in repairs across the vehicle.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mitsubishi issued NHTSA Recall Campaign 16V563000 (Powertrain) for 2016 Lancer CVT issues. Owners report that despite matching recall criteria (P084A code, CVT8 transmission SR-16-006), their vehicles were not identified as part of the recall when VINs were checked. Dealerships and Mitsubishi customer service claim no recall applies or that prior recall repairs disqualify them from further assistance. Some vehicles were repaired under recall; others were not.
Persistent wet passenger floorboard with radiator fluid odor
Passenger floor remains chronically wet with a sweet smell resembling radiator or coolant fluid. Owner reports dealership repeatedly dismisses the complaint, attributing it to spillage (documented in repair notes). Issue present since vehicle purchase and remains unrepaired.
When: Present since purchase at 27.7k miles; ongoing and unrepaired after 68k miles of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Wet passenger floorboard; Sweet odor resembling radiator or coolant fluid; Unusual texture/residue on floor
Repairs/costs cited: Unrepaired. Owner reports dealership blamed the owner for spillage rather than investigating a potential coolant or fluid leak.
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 14 most recent
Car has 76,470 miles. Took to dealership due to loss of power and jerking hard during takeoffs and said that it needed new transmission. Dealership looked at it said it had internal failure codes for transmission. When doing research there was a recall in 2016 for this specific car for issues that this car is having and the specific transmission. Spoke with woman on hotline and was told to file a…
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.
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 while driving it loses power and then powers up by itself. We have taken to a transmission shop (HIgH…
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi lancer. After coming to a stop, the vehicle would not accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. In addition, the service transmission warning indicator illuminated intermittently. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 16v563000(power train). The contact attempted to notify the manufacturer, but his call was not answered.…
Loss of power on acceleration, rpms going up and down, hesitation in acceleration, going into limp mode won't accelerate over 25-40mph pulled code P084A shop believes it needs a complete replacement based on their computer systems repair procedures guidelines. Car has just over 107k miles on it and is a pre-owned. No information was given regarding this issue having happened or if it was ever…
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.
Purchased the vehicle with only 59K miles in May 2024. Transmission immediately started acting up, hesitating, jumping RPMs, and delayed acceleration and loss of power. Service Transmission light came on once but after restarting the light turned off, but still has the issues. Have had the fluid and gasket replaced but did not remedy the problem. This is very dangerous to drive, especially when…
It’s throwing a P084A code and it feels like the transmission is about to let loose. I bought the car with 30,000 on it in 2016 and it has a hair over 136,000 and ever since I’ve had it it’s always had this transmission lag jerk in it. Very scuttle but you can feel it. Then all of a sudden it just started going into limp mode, hi low hi low rev, jerking and couldn’t get over 30 mph. This looks…
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 second time that it has happened this year and its very unsafe to use a car this way and its less than…
CVT transmission will not catch gears as it keeps slipping. Leaves it in limp mode. Unable to accelerate beyond 25MPH. CVT fluid/ filter Service intervals have been correct as well as a fresh J4 CVT fluid/filter service at dealership. This had occurred at 103,XXX miles. Wildly, I was on my way in to my appointment with the dealership to do a CVT Fluid/Filter Replacement when the issue arises. Of…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 20 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 20 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 56,143 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Mitsubishi/Lancer.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.