Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The car started flashing a warning sign and loosing power. When trying to accelerate it stops. Eventually it puts the car into a limp mode and will stall altogether. This happens any long distance trip. My car year and model is not the only Lancer being effected by this computer glitch. It's very dangerous due to the fact that the cars loosing power while you're driving. It doesn't matter if you're in the middle of the highway it will just stop working. All research I have done points to an error within the computer that tells the car when to cool down the transmission. I have seen many blogs, forums and actually know another Lancer owner who's model is a 2012 and has the exact same issue. I don't know why this hasn't been addressed yet when it's affecting more than just one Lancer here or there. Bad for the engine bad for the transmission bad for my travel. …
Warning message "too hot slow down" appears when inclining uphill in above 70 degrees (f) at 45mph or more. Transmission begins to lose power, deceleration occurs, temperature gauge reads normal on dashboard menu, vehicle transmission runs on high RPM above 3000, transmission sounds are louder than normal, and when vehicle reaches complete stop, vehicle warning message does not go away. When vehicle is manually shut off, message will still appear. When the vehicle is turned on to electrical only, message will still appear. After 5 minutes or more in power off, vehicle will restart like normal, message is cleared, and gauges for temperature and oil pressure is normal range. No error codes are discovered when pulling codes when issue occurs. Emissions is okay and vehicle is regularly maintained according to vehicle's suggested maintenance plans. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that burning fumes were emitted into the vehicle. The contact received a notice for NHTSA campaign number: 14V562000 (engine). However, the parts needed were not available. The contact mentioned that the manufacturer had exceeded the reasonable amount of time for repair. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 70,000.
There was no incident. I received a notice from Mitsubishi for the recall. The problem is/was Mitsubishi didn't make easy for the consumer to have the recall issue fixed. My dealer (glendale Mitsubishi) said they don't do recalls on saturdays. So myself and four other consumers got told they don't do recalls on saturdays. It was done there is also a recall on the transmission, I don't remember for what. I received a letter saying nothing would be done unless something broke.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly shut off. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the bolts to the I-beam connecting rod became loose and damaged the engine block. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer (kelly Mitsubishi, 536 state ave, emmaus, pa) was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 186,000.
Hello NHTSA, I have a 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer ralliart sportback. I have just came across a crack in my exhaust manifold which is causing exhaust fumes to enter the cabin of the vehicle if my windows are up. I don't seem to be the only person with this type of car/engine that has a crack in the exhaust manifold. My car is not modified in any way that effects the performance that could cause such a crack to happen. This also appears to be the case for several thousand others. I have brought my vehicle into Mitsubishi who has confirmed the crack and has not been able to explain to me why or how this happened. I have been told from my local Mitsubishi dealership and the next closest one that they can replace the manifold for $2K. I have contacted Mitsubishi USA who has told me the exhaust manifold shouldn't crack and has gotten no other complaints about the issue. …
2010 Mitsubishi Lancer. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle fails emissions due to service engine warning light indicates catalytic converter/sensor circuit slow response malfunction also passenger windows and key fob battery problems. The consumer stated the dealer advised that the 02 sensors and the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The passenger's window was inoperable. The rear passenger window was slow to open. The key fob also is inoperable. Updated 06/21/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V562000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V562000 (engine and engine cooling) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to repair the vehicle. The dealer was unable to inform when the part would become available. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Tl contact owns a 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign id number: 14V562000 (engine) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experience a failure.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
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.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
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.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the drive belt with a rubber belt. Drive pulleys that are excessively worn will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge.
Engine complaints in other Lancer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer, 41% of the model year's 51 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-069 (belts and associated pulleys, Jan 26, 2018); NHTSA recall 14V-562 (belts and associated pulleys, Sep 12, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 93,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.