Mitsubishi Lancer years to avoid (and the best years)
173 NHTSA owner complaints and 8 recalls across 6 model years, 2010 to 2016. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 173complaints
- 8recalls
- 18reported crashes
- 3reported fires
- 13reported injuries
Which Mitsubishi Lancer years should you avoid?
No Mitsubishi Lancer model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Mitsubishi Lancer year has 26 complaints on file. The busiest year is the 2010 (51).
What are the best Mitsubishi Lancer years?
The Mitsubishi Lancer years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2014 (16), 2012 (19) and 2015 (23). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 30 | 1.1× | 2 | 1 | 2 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2015 | 23 | 0.9× | 1 | 5 | 3 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2014 | 16 | 0.6× | 0 | 3 | 2 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2012 | 19 | 0.7× | 1 | 3 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2011 | 34 | 1.3× | 3 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2010 | 51 | 1.9× | 6 | 5 | 4 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 85 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain40 (47%)
- Other systems10 (12%)
- Brakes9 (11%)
- Structure & body8 (9%)
- Steering, suspension & tires7 (8%)
Recalls (8)
Structure · 20V279000 · May 2020 · model year 2010
A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Engine · 18V069000 · Jan 2018 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Body & glass · 18V071000 · Jan 2018 · model year 2010
If the sunroof glass detaches from the assembly while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 17V609000 · Sep 2017 · model years 2015, 2016
If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 16V563000 · Jul 2016 · model year 2016
A hesitation during acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.
Body & glass · 15V233000 · Apr 2015 · model years 2010, 2011
Failure of the blower motor may reduce the performance of the windshield defroster, diminishing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 15V232000 · Apr 2015 · model year 2010
Unstable voltage could result in intermittent failure of the vehicle's head lights, tail lights, and windshield wipers. If the headlights and/or windshield wipers fail, the driver could have reduced visibility. If the tail lights fail, the vehicle could be less visible. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Engine · 14V562000 · Sep 2014 · model years 2010, 2011
If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.