This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers informing them of updates to the Stoplight Switch Check section, in the Service Brakes portion of the affected Service Manuals.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Mitsubishi Outlander brakes problems
severe 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 15 brakes complaints filed for the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
Of the 7 model years of Mitsubishi Outlander we track for brakes problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 15.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 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 brakes 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.
This is a Technical Service Bulletin that was sent to dealers, to inform them that this TSB supersedes TSB-19-35-002, issued January 2019, to update symptoms in the Purpose section, and to remove Outlander PHEV from the Affected Vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This is a Technical Service Bulletin that was sent to dealers. This bulletin instructs dealers to how to fix a condition of a metallic knocking sound coming from the rear brakes. Affected vehicles experience this condition when the brake is applied while driving at low speeds, or on driving on uneven roads. Dealers are instructed to replace the rear brake pad clips (upper and lower) with new parts on affected vehicles, and to apply grease between the brake pad and caliper support.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This is a Technical Information Notice sent to dealers. This notice provides instructions for addressing customer concerns of the brake warning light coming on due to low brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir and brake fluid is found on the front of the brake booster.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗THIS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WAS SENT TO DEALERS TO INFORM THEM OF THE UPDATE TO THE SERVICE BRAKES SECTION OF THE AFFECTED MODELS' SERVICE MANUALS.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a range of brake system failures in the 2016 Outlander. Some experienced complete brake failure—brake pedal went soft with no stopping response at highway speeds, resulting in crashes and injuries. Others deal with premature rotor and pad wear starting at 18,500 miles, with uneven pad wear patterns and grinding noises that persist even after replacing pads, rotors, and calipers multiple times.
Frozen calipers are a recurring complaint; one owner's caliper seized at 65,000 miles—outside the 60,000-mile warranty—and a dealer replacement ran $570.88 per unit, far above typical market rates. Another caliper froze with missing mounting screws. Parking brake systems malfunction frequently: levers stick with no tension, brakes fail to engage or disengage, and vehicles continue rolling with the parking brake engaged. Multiple owners cite an open recall (Campaign 20V741000) but report their VINs mysteriously excluded despite identical symptoms.
Corroded rear calipers rubbing rotors, brake drag, and overheating wheels also appear in reports. Owners hitting these issues at 26,900 to 105,000 miles often find parts unavailable through independent suppliers, forcing dealer dependency. Several repairs fall outside warranty or remain incomplete despite dealer visits.
Failure modes owners describe
Complete brake failure
Brake pedal depressed but vehicle failed to stop, resulting in collision or loss of braking response at highway/merge speeds.
When: 40,000 miles; 8,000 miles; 62,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal unresponsive when depressed; Vehicle failed to stop; Abnormal rumbling sound; Check engine, ABS, and temperature warning lights illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle destroyed; not diagnosed; tow truck mechanic noted missing caliper screws on one vehicle
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 17V609000 (Electrical System) referenced; manufacturer not notified in some cases; dealer parts unavailable
Rotor wear and grinding noise
Rear rotors and brake pads wear prematurely or develop grinding noise; noise persists after multiple replacements of pads, rotors, and calipers.
When: 26,907 miles; recurred two years later
Symptoms owners cite: Loud sound when brake pedal depressed; Grinding noise from rear brakes; Noise continues after three pad replacements and one rotor replacement and full caliper replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Rear rotors replaced at independent mechanic; later diagnosed at dealer as rotors and brakes needing replacement; rear passenger side grinding persists despite multiple repairs
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer informed and referred to dealer; no repair completed
Corroded rear calipers
Rear calipers corroded and rubbing against rotors, causing brake drag and overheating.
When: 91,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Burning odor when driving; Hot wheels detected during inspection; Calipers rubbing against brakes
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic diagnosed corroded rear calipers requiring replacement; vehicle not repaired at dealer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware; informed no recall associated with VIN
Frozen calipers
Calipers seize or freeze, preventing normal brake operation or disengagement. Replacement parts expensive and limited availability.
When: 65,000 miles; appears within 4 years
Symptoms owners cite: Caliper froze in engaged position; Brake failure or abnormal engagement
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replacement cost $570.88 per caliper (owner notes typical cost is under $150); parts available only through dealer; one owner replaced entire caliper assembly
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer acknowledged frozen caliper; warranty expired at 60,000 miles; repair not covered
Parking brake stuck or inoperative
Parking brake sticks when vehicle in motion, fails to hold vehicle stationary when engaged, or lever has no tension. Actuator lever on caliper stuck.
When: 105,000 miles; several months of occurrence reported
Symptoms owners cite: Parking brake fails to engage or disengage; Brake lever stuck with no tension; Vehicle continues to roll when parking brake engaged; Parking brake grabs and won't disengage when pedal released
Repairs/costs cited: NHTSA Campaign 20V741000 (Parking Brake) repair serviced but failure recurred; parts for rear brake operating shaft unavailable for months after recall notice
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 20V741000 (Parking Brake) issued; VIN-specific recall—multiple owners report their VINs not included despite same symptoms; recall repair performed in one case but issue persisted
Uneven brake pad wear and vibration
Premature brake wear with uneven pad wear angles and vibration in steering wheel and brake pedal during braking at very low mileage.
When: 18,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vibration in steering wheel and brake pedal during braking; Inner brake pad wearing at abnormal angle; Uneven wear pattern
Repairs/costs cited: Front and rear rotors and brake pads needed replacement; parts not available; front driver side showed uneven wear; work performed at independent shop
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Repair not covered under warranty; manufacturer referred to dealer
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owned a 2016 Mitsubishi outlander. While driving 35 MPH, the check engine, ABS, and temperature warning indicators illuminated. While depressing the brake pedal to slow the down, the vehicle failed to stop and crashed into a cement barrier. The contact sustained back and neck injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot.…
The emergency brake suddenly failed to function. Applied the brake but there was no tension on the lever & no brake function occuring. I understand there was a VIN specific recall on this vehicle and just wondering how my vehicle that falls under the year, make & model does not qualify for the recall but is suffering from the same exact issue?
Had brakes trouble with your 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander?
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 brakes problem on the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 26,907 and 65,000 miles, with the median around 44,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 26,907; a quarter make it past 65,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes 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 brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes 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/Outlander.
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.