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 lighting problems
moderate 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $250 · see lighting across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
When does it fail?
Of the 11 lighting 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 lighting problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 11.
No new NHTSA lighting complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 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 lighting 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 Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by improper sealing or a defective/broken part.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Technical Information Notice supersedes TIN-20-54-001, issued May, 2020, to clarify when voltage measurements should be obtained.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Technical Information Notice was sent to dealers requesting assitance measuring voltage from the 12V battery terminals and again at the low beam halogen headlight bulbs for repair validation.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin updates the Circuit Diagrams section of the affected Service Manuals for the following areas: Taillight, Position Light, Rear Side Marker Light, License Plate Light, Light Monitor/Light Reminder Tone Alarm, Glove Box Light, Floor Console Box Light and Heated Seat.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Low beam headlight bulbs on 2016 Mitsubishi Outlanders are burning out repeatedly and prematurely. Owners report needing replacement five to dozen times over vehicle ownership, often with both bulbs failing simultaneously. Multiple owners describe bulbs failing at very low mileage—one at 2,000 miles, another at 20,000 miles where both burned out together, and another at 30,000 miles with the same pattern. A few owners report water or moisture inside the headlight housing, with AutoZone suspecting a faulty seal allowing corrosion. One owner reported headlight assembly casing melted on the passenger side at 80,000 miles, requiring full assembly replacement; the driver side failed the same way three weeks later. Bulbs going out while driving—sometimes both at once—creates immediate safety hazards, leaving drivers without visibility on highways at night. One owner had to drive Route 95 in heavy traffic with dead headlights. Dealers have reportedly told owners this is a known issue but offered no fix beyond telling them to buy a newer model. No manufacturer recalls or TSBs were mentioned in any complaint."
Failure modes owners describe
Premature low beam bulb burnout
Low beam headlight bulbs burn out repeatedly and prematurely, often within months or at very low mileage intervals, with both bulbs frequently failing simultaneously.
When: As early as 2,000 miles; patterns at 20,000 miles (both), 30,000 miles (both); replacements every few months to annually over vehicle ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Low beam headlight(s) go out while driving; Both low beams fail at the same time; Sudden loss of headlight illumination on highway; Headlights dim or fail to illuminate
Repairs/costs cited: Bulb replacement (owners report doing this 5 to 12 times); bulbs are not inexpensive
Moisture/corrosion in headlight housing
Water or moisture enters the headlight assembly housing, potentially causing corrosion of internal components and bulb contact surfaces, leading to premature failure.
When: Throughout ownership; present in some but not all complaint cases
Symptoms owners cite: Water or condensation visible inside headlight assembly; Moisture in floor boards reported in one case alongside headlight failure
Repairs/costs cited: AutoZone assessment: faulty seal around light housing allowing moisture ingress
Melted headlight assembly casing
Headlight assembly casing melts internally, making bulb replacement impossible and requiring full assembly replacement.
When: 80,000 miles (passenger side); approximately 3 weeks later (driver side)
Symptoms owners cite: Headlight inoperable; Bulb cannot be replaced due to melted casing; Visual inspection shows melted/damaged headlight assembly casing
Repairs/costs cited: Entire headlight assembly replacement required
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
This is now my second complaint to you. Again on the headlights this time they went out at the same time while driving on a two lane highway shortly after midnight.thank god I had high beans even though I'm sure the people I passed didn't appreciate it. Since owning this SUV I have had the bulbs replaced 5 times on the right side and 7 times on the left.was told by autozone that they believe…
Low beam headlight bulbs have burned out for the 2nd time since I have bought this car in 1 years time. Last time was september 2018 and now again december 2018. There is no water or condensation inside of the assembly. Just replacing both bulbs and they will work again, but for how long?
I was driving tonight and my lights went out, ( for the 3rd time) I have replaced these lights twice already the last time being a few months ago...now they both go out while driving! I have owned several Mitsubishi cars and this is the first one I have had so many issues with the lights! This is a huge safety issue! Something needs to be done about this before someone gets hurt...or worse killed!
Since we've owned this vehicle, we have had nothing but issues with the lights. At night, you can hardly see. When I addressed with service, I was told that this was a known issue and to resolve, I would need to buy the newer model. The headlights have been replaced by my husband about a dozen times! This morning when I left for work, they are out yet again. This is now a safety issue! About two…
Had lighting 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 lighting problem on the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most lighting failures cluster between 36,000 and 63,000 miles, with the median around 60,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 36,000; a quarter make it past 63,000. 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 $250 for lighting 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 lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting 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.