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1996-2017 · 18 model years

Mitsubishi Lancer Problems by year

Owners have filed 1,066 complaints about the Mitsubishi Lancer across 18 model years, and it has 19 recalls. The 2003 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (311), while 1996, 2000, 2013 have far fewer than a typical year. The most reported problem area is the transmission & drivetrain, followed by the engine & cooling.

Most complaints for its age2003311 complaints · 6 recallsSee the 2003
Complaints
1,066
Recalls
19
Crashes
103
Fires
15
Injuries
74
Deaths
2

Lancer complaints by model year

Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20176010AirbagsA
201630210Transmission & drivetrainC
201526150Transmission & drivetrainC
201423043Transmission & drivetrainC
20135000Engine & coolingA
201219130Engine & coolingB
201149310Transmission & drivetrainC
201085652Transmission & drivetrainF
20091218113Transmission & drivetrainF
200891582SuspensionF
20072300AirbagsA
200637750AirbagsD
200524630AirbagsC
200480773Visibility & wipersF
20033116161Transmission & drivetrainF
20021554331Visibility & wipersF
20001000Seats & seat beltsA
19961000Engine & coolingA

Most common Lancer problems

Mitsubishi Lancer recalls 19

Engine and engine cooling: belts and associated pulleys

18V069000141,053 vehicles affected

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Lancer, 2008-2012 Outlander, 2010-2012 Lancer Sportback, and 2011-2012 Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with either a 4B11 or 4B12 engine. The drive belt automatic tensioner flange...

Suspension: lower arm

16V458000194,674 vehicles affected

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2002-2007 Lancer, 2004 Lancer Wagon, 2003-2006 Lancer Evolution, 2003-2006 Outlander and 2007-2013 Outlander V-6 vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut...

Engine and engine cooling: belts and associated pulleys

14V562000165,923 vehicles affected

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Lancer, Lancer Evolution, and Outlander; 2009-2011 Lancer Sportback, Lancer Rilliart, and Lancer Sportback Ralliart; and 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles. The affected...

Latest Lancer complaints

2016 Mitsubishi LancerTransmission & drivetrainFuel system

I bought this vehicle and few weeks later I noticed at a red light. When it turned green i hit the gas. My car took a few seconds, reved and then shot out into the lane. Since then it has had issues over 20 miles and when I stop its a few seconds for the car to accelerate and move which is scary on the road. My 4 sons were horrified! I looked up SR-16-006, after my mechanic said I have exactly everything as the issue of a recall that I should be on. AutoWorx in Pittsburgh on 28th and smallman street. They wouldn't feel comfortable taking my 6k because they said its absolutely the issue covered in the 2016 CVT replacement for a 2.0 engine Lancer Mitshubushi.

Filed Incident Power train · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11755311
2003 Mitsubishi LancerOther & unknown

The front subframe on the drivers side of the vehicle broke while maneuvering a right turn at a safe speed. This incident caused additional damage to the vehicle, with noticeable damage to the quarter panel. Additional damage is expected and may include the tie rod, wheel bearing, struts, sway bar link, etc. The driver and passenger were put at risk due to the severity of the break and the inability to move the vehicle. The speed of the vehicle may have prevented further risk to the driver and passenger at the time...

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of the incident. The issue with the subframe was confirmed by an independent service center due to the lack of a Mitsubishi dealer is proximity. However, a Mitsubishi dealer was contacted but no response was received. It is believed that this issue is associated with the discovered Unrepaired Recalls associated with this VIN. A police officer arrived at the incident and a tow truck was ordered by the officer due to the danger of remaining in the location of the incident. The issue with the subframe first appeared on Sunday, May 31st 2026 with a noise produced by the vehicle while driving on unsmooth roads and through turns. The vehicle was inspected by an independent service center on Thursday, June 4th 2026 and significant erosion was discovered on the front subframe. A Mitsubishi dealer was contacted on Friday, June 5th 2026 and a voicemail was left. No contact was received. The incident occurred on Saturday, June 6th 2026. The vehicle and associated parts are available for inspection upon request.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11742724
2003 Mitsubishi LancerOther & unknownCrash

My vehicle was clean title but then it was considered salvage title, it was involved in a car accident on 9/07/2023 . I never knew about the recall because I am not the first owner. how i found out about the recall was because I have to do brake and lamp inspection and it failed on 10/09/2024 so I took the vehicle to Hayward Mitsubishi on 10/15/2024 to get the recall fix and since then they have not contacted me in any way to give me an update I have called them several times and they told me that they have not...

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received the label so I then decided to try a different dealership that's call Concord Kia Mitsubishi Service and Parts they tried to help me out but also mentioned to me that the recall has no part number so there is no way to order it. I have been waiting for this recall to get resolve for two years.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11712740
2005 Mitsubishi LancerSteering

The steering column on my 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer ES detached while driving. The entire column dropped down from its mounting brackets, causing loss of control. This is a serious safety hazard. The mount bolts were intact previously, but they came loose or the bracket failed without warning. This could have resulted in a crash and severe injury. I believe this may be a structural or manufacturing defect and could affect other Lancer vehicles of similar year. I performed a temporary repair myself so the vehicle could be moved safely, but this does NOT solve the underlying problem. The original steering column mounting should not have failed under normal use.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11701340
2016 Mitsubishi LancerTransmission & drivetrain

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 like a continuous problem with these transmission and gives Mitsubishi a bad taste in some peoples mouths. I'm out of a decently nice car and probably a couple thousand dollars for a new transmission.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11674840

Questions about the Mitsubishi Lancer

Which Mitsubishi Lancer years have the most problems?

By the number of complaints owners filed with NHTSA: 2003 (311), 2002 (155), 2009 (121). Allowing for how long each has been on the road, the 2003 stands out most. Complaint counts also rise with sales, so compare years of the same model rather than different models.

Which Mitsubishi Lancer years have the fewest complaints?

Among model years that have been on the road for at least three years, 1996, 2000, 2013 have the best Safety Index - the fewest complaints, crashes and recalls for their age compared with other Lancer years. Always check the exact vehicle's recalls by VIN before you buy.

What are the most common Mitsubishi Lancer problems?

Across every model year, owners report problems with the transmission & drivetrain (285), engine & cooling (156), visibility & wipers (154) most often.

How many recalls does the Mitsubishi Lancer have?

NHTSA lists 19 recalls across all Mitsubishi Lancer model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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