Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. Highlighted: 2002. 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: 2002.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections, initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 Lancer | 6 | 0 |
| 2016 Lancer | 30 | 2 |
| 2015 Lancer | 23 | 1 |
| 2014 Lancer | 16 | 0 |
| 2013 Lancer | 5 | 0 |
| 2012 Lancer | 19 | 1 |
| 2011 Lancer | 34 | 3 |
| 2010 Lancer | 51 | 6 |
| 2009 LancerMost complaints | 98 | 8 |
| 2008 LancerMost complaints | 91 | 5 |
| 2007 Lancer | 2 | 2 |
| 2006 Lancer | 37 | 4 |
| 2005 Lancer | 24 | 3 |
| 2004 Lancer | 80 | 4 |
| 2003 LancerMost complaints | 199 | 2 |
| 2002 LancerMost complaints | 148 | 2 |
| 2000 Lancer | 1 | 0 |
| 1996 | 1 | 0 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Power train159
- Visibility127
- Air bags112
- Suspension78
- Engine78
- Electrical system74
- Structure60
- Unknown or other59
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 192 Lancer vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died, and 137 people died inside them. These are counts, not crash rates: a model with more cars on the road shows up more often, and people killed outside the vehicle are not counted here.
| Model year | Vehicles in fatal crashes | Deaths in the vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 14 | 7 |
| 2016 | 7 | 3 |
| 2015 | 23 | 11 |
| 2014 | 7 | 4 |
| 2013 | 9 | 5 |
| 2012 | 11 | 8 |
| 2011 | 11 | 7 |
| 2010 | 9 | 6 |
| 2009 | 11 | 7 |
| 2008 | 25 | 19 |
| 2007 | 3 | 2 |
| 2006 | 8 | 8 |
| 2005 | 9 | 5 |
| 2004 | 13 | 13 |
| 2003 | 17 | 17 |
| 2002 | 15 | 15 |
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain) · how we count
Crash-test ratings by year
NHTSA 5-star results for 7 model-year variants; 0 of 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer 4 DR AWD | ★★★★☆ | 12.1 % |
| 2016 | 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer 4 DR AWD | ★★★★☆ | 12.1 % |
| 2015 | 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer 4 DR AWD | ★★★★☆ | 12.1 % |
| 2014 | 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer 4 DR AWD | ★★★★☆ | 12.1 % |
| 2013 | 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer 4 DR AWD | ★★★★☆ | 12.1 % |
| 2012 | 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer 4 DR AWD | ★★★★☆ | 12.1 % |
| 2011 | 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer 4 DR AWD | — | 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 14 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 7.8–9.7 L/100 km.
| Year | Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Lancer · Compact · Regular gasoline | 8.7 | 6.9 | 7.9 |
| 2016 | Lancer · Compact · Regular gasoline | 8.6 | 6.8 | 7.8 |
| 2015 | Lancer · Compact · Regular gasoline | 9.2 | 6.9 | 8.2 |
| 2014 | Lancer · Compact · Regular gasoline | 9.2 | 7.0 | 8.2 |
| 2013 | Lancer · Compact · Regular gasoline | 9.2 | 7.0 | 8.2 |
| 2012 | Lancer · Compact · Regular gasoline | 9.2 | 7.0 | 8.2 |
| 2011 | Lancer · Compact · Regular gasoline | 9.3 | 7.1 | 8.3 |
| 2010 | Lancer · Compact · Regular gasoline | 10.3 | 7.8 | 9.2 |
| 2009 | Lancer · Compact · Regular gasoline | 10.8 | 8.0 | 9.5 |
| 2008 | Lancer · Compact · Regular gasoline | 11.0 | 8.2 | 9.7 |
| 2006 | Lancer · Compact · Regular gasoline | 10.0 | 7.6 | 8.9 |
| 2005 | Lancer · Compact · Regular gasoline | 9.9 | 7.5 | 8.8 |
| 2004 | Lancer · Compact · Regular gasoline | 9.8 | 7.4 | 8.7 |
| 2003 | Lancer · Compact · Regular gasoline | 10.2 | 7.8 | 9.1 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
In New Zealand
19,788 Lancer cars are on the New Zealand register; 27% arrived as used imports.
| Model year | Registered | Sold new in NZ | Used imports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 2018 | 365 | 355 | 5 |
| 2017 | 774 | 724 | 40 |
| 2016 | 907 | 880 | 16 |
| 2015 | 1,105 | 1,061 | 27 |
| 2014 | 1,435 | 1,381 | 32 |
| 2013 | 965 | 909 | 40 |
| 2012 | 1,090 | 1,032 | 48 |
| 2011 | 517 | 456 | 55 |
| 2010 | 533 | 455 | 63 |
| 2009 | 502 | 399 | 93 |
| 2008 | 975 | 627 | 320 |
| 2007 | 860 | 631 | 209 |
| 2006 | 668 | 355 | 296 |
| 2005 | 960 | 601 | 331 |
| 2004 | 996 | 666 | 310 |
| 2003 | 1,075 | 702 | 337 |
| 2002 | 633 | 366 | 248 |
| 2001 | 682 | 194 | 432 |
| 2000 | 472 | 230 | 227 |
| 1999 | 478 | 245 | 208 |
| 1998 | 590 | 227 | 310 |
| 1997 | 380 | 161 | 196 |
| 1996 | 775 | 137 | 556 |
| 1995 | 368 | 102 | 237 |
| 1994 | 333 | 141 | 163 |
| 1993 | 321 | 63 | 227 |
| 1992 | 353 | 61 | 261 |
| 1991 | 119 | 68 | 45 |
| 1990 | 64 | 55 | 6 |
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
In the Netherlands
3,729 Lancer cars are on Dutch roads; 10% arrived later as imports, and 540 still have a recall open. Open a year for APK defects, odometer checks and colours.
| First registered | On the road | Median list price |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 50 | €19,079 |
| 2015 | 123 | €18,579 |
| 2014 | 116 | €18,579 |
| 2013 | 81 | €22,314 |
| 2012 | 196 | €20,815 |
| 2011 | 399 | €20,298 |
| 2010 | 405 | €19,248 |
| 2009 | 366 | €27,598 |
| 2008 | 603 | €33,146 |
| 2007 | 254 | €19,598 |
| 2006 | 260 | — |
| 2005 | 149 | — |
| 2004 | 152 | €32,910 |
| 2003 | 77 | — |
| 1999 | 30 | — |
| 1998 | 30 | — |
| 1997 | 32 | — |
| 1996 | 64 | — |
| 1995 | 35 | — |
| 1994 | 41 | — |
| 1993 | 21 | — |
| 1992 | 27 | — |
| 1991 | 31 | — |
| 1990 | 35 | — |
| 1989 | 29 | — |
| 1988 | 36 | — |
| 1987 | 35 | — |
| 1986 | 29 | — |
| 1981 | 23 | — |
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles (CC0) · list price is the manufacturer's catalogue price when new
In Finland
2,564 Lancer cars were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026: 97% petrol, 3% diesel. Mileage is the odometer reading at the last inspection.
| First registered | In use | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 53 | 170,000 km |
| 2012 | 104 | 182,000 km |
| 2011 | 134 | 175,000 km |
| 2010 | 242 | 201,000 km |
| 2009 | 264 | 220,000 km |
| 2008 | 469 | 226,000 km |
| 2007 | 184 | 223,000 km |
| 2006 | 228 | 225,000 km |
| 2005 | 182 | 241,000 km |
| 2004 | 194 | 245,000 km |
| 2003 | 54 | 249,000 km |
| 2000 | 16 | 188,000 km |
| 1999 | 44 | 203,000 km |
| 1998 | 67 | 235,000 km |
| 1997 | 46 | 211,000 km |
| 1996 | 48 | 244,000 km |
| 1995 | 39 | 235,000 km |
| 1994 | 36 | 255,000 km |
| 1993 | 23 | 244,000 km |
| 1992 | 31 | 223,000 km |
| 1991 | 35 | 257,000 km |
| 1990 | 29 | 236,000 km |
| 1989 | 20 | 242,000 km |
| 1988 | 14 | 195,000 km |
| 1987 | 8 | 193,000 km |
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use, 30 Jun 2026 · CC BY 4.0
Road collisions in Great Britain
From 2021 to 2025, 149 Lancer cars were involved in road collisions in Great Britain that injured someone and were reported to the police. 3 of those collisions were fatal and 34 caused serious injuries. As with any count, models with more cars on British roads appear more often.
| Year | Cars in injury collisions | Fatal | Serious |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 21 | 0 | 4 |
| 2024 | 27 | 3 | 4 |
| 2023 | 40 | 0 | 8 |
| 2022 | 35 | 0 | 5 |
| 2021 | 26 | 0 | 13 |
Department for Transport, STATS19 road safety data 2021–2025 · Open Government Licence v3.0 · how we count
In the United Kingdom
6,331 Lancer cars were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, by year of manufacture.
| Built | Licensed | Off the road (SORN) |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | — |
| 2015 | 2 | 3 |
| 2014 | 9 | 12 |
| 2012 | 20 | 16 |
| 2011 | 911 | 208 |
| 2010 | 1,209 | 332 |
| 2009 | 811 | 273 |
| 2008 | 1,004 | 488 |
| 2007 | 564 | 277 |
| 2006 | 585 | 402 |
| 2005 | 578 | 522 |
| 2004 | 175 | 319 |
| 2003 | 42 | 93 |
| 2002 | 21 | 54 |
| 2001 | 61 | 167 |
| 2000 | 52 | 195 |
| 1999 | 111 | 307 |
| 1998 | 86 | 263 |
| 1997 | 10 | 62 |
| 1996 | 50 | 235 |
| 1995 | 10 | 70 |
| 1994 | 6 | 48 |
| 1993 | 2 | 17 |
| 1992 | 1 | 21 |
| 1991 | 2 | 13 |
| 1990 | 2 | 6 |
| 1989 | 2 | 3 |
| 1988 | 2 | 3 |
| 1987 | 1 | 3 |
| 1986 | 1 | 3 |
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
10,515 Lancer cars took their annual MOT test in 2023; 65% passed first time, against 59% for all cars of the same ages. Older cars fail more often, so compare a year with the same year of other cars.
| First registered | Tests | Passed first time |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1,364 | 60% |
| 2010 | 1,887 | 57% |
| 2009 | 1,292 | 61% |
| 2008 | 1,609 | 64% |
| 2007 | 975 | 64% |
| 2006 | 1,119 | 63% |
| 2005 | 1,137 | 68% |
| 2004 | 380 | 84% |
| 2003 | 256 | 85% |
| 2001 | 133 | 89% |
| 2000 | 109 | 91% |
| 1999 | 153 | 86% |
| 1998 | 101 | 88% |
Why they fail
Share of all first tests that ended in a fail because of each part of the car (one test can fail on several).
| Area | Lancer | All cars, same ages |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 16.1% | 19.3% |
| Suspension | 13.6% | 16.2% |
| Brakes | 10.0% | 11.2% |
| Steering | 7.1% | 3.3% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.9% | 5.7% |
| Visibility | 5.5% | 6.6% |
| Tyres | 5.1% | 7.2% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 4.3% | 6.9% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests of cars only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
New registrations in Europe
46,274 new Mitsubishi Lancer cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2010 and 2022, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2022 the largest markets were Spain (1).
| Year | New cars | CO₂ g/km |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 140 (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 1 | 258 (NEDC) |
| 2019 | 9 | 196 (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 526 | 131 (NEDC) |
| 2017 | 1,477 | 134 (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 2,295 | — |
| 2015 | 3,348 | — |
| 2014 | 3,218 | — |
| 2013 | 2,372 | — |
| 2012 | 4,417 | — |
| 2011 | 11,307 | — |
| 2010 | 17,303 | — |
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 in 10 alerts. European versions can differ from the North American car.
The NADI (non-azide driver inflator) type airbag may have improper sealing that could allow moisture to enter into the propellant.If the propellant afterwards dries out, it could lead to decreased density resulting in a too high burn rate. Consequently the air…
The ammonium nitrate propellant used in the air bag inflator may degrade over time. In the event of the airbag being deployed, the excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to rupture and metal fragments may pass through the cushion material caus…
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 flange area of the engine's multi-belt auto tensioner may crack under high-load driving conditions, which may cause the drive-belt to fall off. If this occurs, the engine warning light will illuminate, there will be a loss of power steering assistance, the…
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.
The passenger side airbag inflator might release fragments during deployment which could injure the passenger.
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
15 campaigns cover the Lancer; the latest 12 are below.
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 2004-2006 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles that previously received a like-for-like passenger side frontal air bag inflator under recall 15V321 as interim remedy. Also recalled are 2004-2006 Lancer vehicles located in Guam or Saipan that previously received or never received a new inflator under 15V321 or 17V569. These passenger side frontal air bag inflators may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to explode in the event of an air bag deployment.
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. (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.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Lancer and Lancer Evolution vehicles and 2004 Lancer Sportback vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles and 2016 Outlander and Lancer vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a constant velocity transmission (CVT) that, in certain driving conditions, may cause a delay in the vehicle accelerating.
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, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, 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 model year 2006-2007 Lancer and Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured June 29, 2005, to June 19, 2007, equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
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