Mitsubishi Lancer Problems by Year

We compared every Mitsubishi Lancer model year from 2002–2017 using 866 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 15 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2003, 2002, 2009, 2008 and 2004, which drew far more complaints than other Lancer years at the same age. The best years are 2007, 2013 and 2017.

16model years
866complaints
15recalls
2003, 2002worst years
2007, 2013best years

Complaints by model year

’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’171481998324372919851341951623306
Owner complaints per model year, Mitsubishi Lancer. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20176−73%—AirbagGood
2016301.3×2TransmissionAverage
201523−20%1ElectricalAverage
201416−47%—TransmissionGood
20135−77%—TransmissionGood
201219−40%1EngineGood
2011341.3×3EngineAverage
2010512.0×6EngineCaution
2009982.8×8EngineAvoid
2008912.5×5SuspensionAvoid
20072−87%2AirbagGood
200637−67%4AirbagGood
200524−53%3AirbagGood
2004832.2×4AirbagAvoid
20031997.1×2TransmissionAvoid
20021485.0×2AirbagAvoid

* Complaints compared with the median Lancer year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Mitsubishi Lancer problems

Latest Mitsubishi Lancer recalls

Structure › Frame and members

NHTSA recall 20V-279 · May 18, 2020 · 141,200 vehicles

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Sportback, 2008-2013 Outlander, and 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland,…

Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied or the front cross member will be replaced…

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 18V-220 · Apr 5, 2018 · 17,120 vehicles

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles that previously received a like-for-like passenger side frontal air bag inflator under recall 15V321 as interim remedy.

Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will install a final replacement passenger side frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on April 26, 2018.

Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly

NHTSA recall 18V-071 · Jan 26, 2018 · 56,641 vehicles

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Outlander, 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Evolution, and 2010 Lancer Sportback vehicles equipped with sunroofs. The sunroof glass may detach from the sunroof assembly, becoming a road hazard to other vehicles.

Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sunroof glass assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820.

Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys

NHTSA recall 18V-069 · Jan 26, 2018 · 141,053 vehicles

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 may crack, allowing the accessory drive belt to detach.

Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the belt tensioner with one that has an improved shape, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 27, 2018.

Electrical system › Starter assembly › Relay

NHTSA recall 17V-609 · Sep 29, 2017 · 132,552 vehicles

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 in an engine stall, reduced engine power or the engine overheating.

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 1-888-648-7820.

All 15 Mitsubishi Lancer recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Mitsubishi Lancer should you avoid?

2003, 2002, 2009, 2008, 2004 and 2010 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Lancer years at the same age, led by transmission & drivetrain problems in the 2003.

What is the best year for the Mitsubishi Lancer?

2007 has the fewest complaints compared with other Lancer years at the same age, followed by 2013 and 2017. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Mitsubishi Lancer problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the transmission & drivetrain (159), engine & cooling (130) and air bags (114). Transmission complaints peak in the 2003 model year.

How many recalls has the Mitsubishi Lancer had?

15 recalls across 2002–2017. The model year with the most is 2009. See all Mitsubishi Lancer recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.