Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
New York safety inspections
Share of first inspections failed on safety, by model year. Older cars fail more as miles build up, so compare each year with the average car of the same year. Best against its own year: 2010.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections, initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | 3 | 0 |
| 2012 | 0 | 1 |
| 2011 | 0 | 3 |
| 2010 Lancer Sportback | 1 | 6 |
| 2009 | 0 | 2 |
| 2006 | 0 | 0 |
| 2005 | 0 | 0 |
| 2004 | 8 | 0 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Unknown or other5
- Electrical system5
- Visibility2
- Visibility/wiper1
- Vehicle speed control1
- Structure1
- Power train1
- Exterior lighting1
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Crash-test ratings by year
NHTSA 5-star results for 2 model-year variants; 0 of 2 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Year | Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback 5 HB FWD | ★★★★☆ | 12.1 % |
| 2013 | 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback 5 HB FWD | ★★★★☆ | 12.1 % |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption by year
Official Canadian test results for 10 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 8.3–10.6 L/100 km.
| Year | Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Lancer Sportback · Station wagon: Small · Regular gasoline | 9.3 | 7.2 | 8.4 |
| 2016 | Lancer Sportback · Station wagon: Small · Regular gasoline | 9.2 | 7.1 | 8.3 |
| 2015 | Lancer Sportback · Station wagon: Small · Regular gasoline | 9.6 | 7.3 | 8.6 |
| 2014 | Lancer Sportback · Station wagon: Small · Regular gasoline | 9.6 | 7.3 | 8.6 |
| 2013 | Lancer Sportback · Station wagon: Small · Regular gasoline | 9.6 | 7.3 | 8.6 |
| 2012 | Lancer Sportback · Station wagon: Small · Regular gasoline | 9.7 | 7.0 | 8.5 |
| 2011 | Lancer Sportback · Station wagon: Small · Regular gasoline | 9.8 | 7.4 | 8.7 |
| 2010 | Lancer Sportback · Station wagon: Small · Regular gasoline | 11.0 | 8.5 | 9.8 |
| 2009 | Lancer Sportback · Station wagon: Small · Regular gasoline | 11.3 | 8.8 | 10.2 |
| 2004 | Lancer Sportback · Station wagon: Small · Regular gasoline | 11.8 | 9.0 | 10.6 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
New registrations in Europe
633 new Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2010 and 2012, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2012 the largest markets were Austria (7).
| Year | New cars | CO₂ g/km |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 7 | — |
| 2011 | 81 | — |
| 2010 | 545 | — |
Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
EU safety alerts
Safety Gate, the European Union's rapid alert system, names the Lancer Sportback in 6 alerts. European versions can differ from the North American car.
Due to an inappropriate programming of the electrical control unit (ECU), even if the battery is deteriorated or used up, the ECU may stop the engine while circulating. Consequently the car cannot be re-started, increasing the risk of accident with the incomin…
Due to temperature and humidity, the adhesive material between the sunroof glass and its outer frame may weaken. As a consequence, the sunroof glass might detach from the outer frame and come off.
The engine control relay unit (ECU) or valve lift control relay can heat up abnormally. As the result the engine can stall whilst driving.
High voltage variations within the system that controls all of the vehicle's electrical components can cause the vehicle's lights and/or the windscreen wipers to malfunction.
Due to the inappropriate material of the auxiliary drive belt, the drive belt pulley may wear obliquely. As a consequence, the auxiliary drive belt could become damaged and come off the pulley. If the vehicle is driven in this condition, the battery would beco…
Unwanted soot / carbon deposits on the piston rings might cause the piston rings to get stuck in the piston groove. As a result, this can cause increased blow-by gas to directly enter the crank case which in turn may cause the piston to overheat and melt. As a…
Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC0
Recalls
6 campaigns cover the Lancer Sportback.
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, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
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.
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.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Lancer vehicles manufactured March 16, 2009, to March 30, 2011, 2010-2011 Lancer Sportback vehicles manufactured June 17, 2009, to December 1, 2010, 2010-2011 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured July 14, 2009, to January 7, 2011, 2009-2011 Outlander vehicles manufactured February 10, 2009, to June 22, 2011, and 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured August 26, 2010, to November 19, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the blower motor may fail.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles manufactured January 12, 2009, to July 6, 2010, 2009-2010 Outlander vehicles manufactured January 12, 2009, to August 27, 2010, 2010 Lancer Sportback vehicles manufactured June 17, 2009, to June 8, 2010, and 2010 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured July 14, 2009, to August 4, 2010. The affected vehicles have an electronic control unit (ECU) that controls the head lights, tail lights, and windshield wipers. Due to a manufacturing error, the voltage inside this ECU may be unstable.
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 vehicles, manufactured with 4B1 engines, have an engine pulley and belt arrangement for turning the alternator, the cooling fan and the power steering pump (if equipped). These pulleys may experience unusual wear and allow for belt detachment.
NHTSA recalls