MitsubishiLancer2016Overview/mitsubishi/lancer/2016/base/

2016 Mitsubishi Lancer

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 Lancer.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer is classified as a passenger car that accumulated 29 total owner complaints and two recalls, with Power Train constituting the primary complaint category among its documented grievances. Within the model’s 1996–2017 complaint history—a range spanning from a single grievance in 1996 to 311 in 2003—this model year registers near the lower end of the volume spectrum. This positions the 2016 variant as a relatively quiet entry against the line’s historical range, offering researchers a late-production unit with 29 total complaints compared to the 311 logged for the 2003 model year.

Model year20172016

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 520 CCA battery, OE oil filter MZ690072. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 520 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size4WD:P225-75R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterMZ690072
Engine air filterMR968274 alt 1500A023
Fuel filter1770A274 alt 1770A268
Spark plug1822A069 alt 1822A068
Front wiper blades8250A186 alt MZ693021
Serpentine belt4451A123 alt 1340A150
Thermostat1305A803
Cabin air filter7803A004

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length181.9 in
Overall width69.3 in
Overall height58.3 in
Wheelbase103.9 in
Curb weight3142 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Lancer of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.3–9.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.30 sec — 2009 Ralliart
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2017SEL 2.4L I-47.80 sec16.00 sec168 hpAWD
2017SEL 2.4L I-48.00 sec16.20 sec168 hpAWD
2012GT 2.4L I-48.30 sec16.40 sec168 hpFWD
2010Sportback Ralliart Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-45.50 sec14.20 sec237 hpAWD
2010Sportback Ralliart Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-45.50 sec14.20 sec237 hpAWD
2010Sportback Ralliart Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-45.70 sec14.40 sec237 hpAWD
2010Sportback GTS Hatchback 2.4L I-47.60 sec16.00 sec168 hpFWD
2009GTS 2.4L I-415.70 sec168 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidMitsubishi Diamond Queen CVTF-J4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.5
Brake FluidDOT 3
Clutch FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Differential Gear OilGL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.2-1.3
Engine CoolantMitsubishi SuperLong Life Coolant,
Engine Coolant Capacity7.4 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts15
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts32-40 ft/lbs.
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts15
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts32-40 ft/lbs.
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs17.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs12.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts81.2 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug23.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug23.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub166.0-202.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub107.0-129.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)600-800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)550-750 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerMitsubishi
Spark Plug Gap.039 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque15-21 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerMitsubishi
Spark Plug TypeTurbo

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.05-1.15 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity2.50-3.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance520 cca
Standard BCI Group Number35

Service checks

RPM47 @ idle rpm
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)Turbo - 45-50 psi
RPMTurbo 38 psi @ idle rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 28-; Rear: 28-
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 67-; Rear: 39-
ABS Sensor Torque6.2
Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque28-36
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 67-; Rear: 38-
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.080; Rear: 0.080 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .960; Rear: .330
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .0024; Rear: .0032

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant at 120,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 120,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
At 30,000 miTransfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Wheel Cylinder (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
At 105,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer sits in the mature, low-complaint tail of a generation that saw its most turbulent years early on — 2002 and 2003 logged 155 and 311 complaints respectively, with 4 and 7 recalls, while a secondary complaint wave crested around 2008–2010 (91–121 complaints annually) before subsiding. By 2012, complaints had fallen to 19 and remained modest through the end of the cycle, with 2015 and 2016 both recording 26 and 29 complaints respectively, each carrying 2 recalls and 1 investigation — a stable, consistent pattern suggesting the platform had largely been debugged. The 2017 model year, the final year, dropped to just 6 complaints and zero recalls, reinforcing that the late-generation cars are the safest bets. For 2016 specifically, power train issues dominate the complaint pool at 15 of 29 reports, though the data does not specify root causes; there was 1 crash complaint and no fire complaints. **Bottom line: 2016 is a reasonable year to buy used — it benefits from over a decade of platform refinement, its complaint and recall counts are low and consistent with adjacent years, and the only area warranting a pre-purchase inspection is the power train.**

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
66
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
29
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 29 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train15
Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control2
Electrical System2
Structure,Unknown Or Other1
Power Train,Unknown Or Other,Engine1
Vehicle Speed Control,Engine1
Structure1
Electrical System,Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

17V609000Electrical System:Starter Assembly:RelayReported 29/09/2017

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… 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…

16V563000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)Reported 28/07/2016

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 66 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TECH TALK 2892025-11-21Electrical SystemTech Talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. It covers various topics…
TSB-24-23-0042024-06-03Power TrainService Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin provides corrections to the…
TSB-20-23-001RV42024-03-25Power TrainService Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin instructs dealers to diagnose…
TSB-20-23-001REV2024-03-04Power TrainService Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin instructs dealers to diagnose…
TSB-24-23-0012024-02-14Power TrainService Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin provides the procedure for…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Lancer. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2016 Lancer have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.