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Mitsubishi Lancer

Model years 1996–2017 in the US safety record. Years that drew the most complaints: 2002, 2003, 2008, 2009. Fewest complaints: 1996, 2000, 2007.

865owner complaints
15recall campaigns
1,335service bulletins
18model years on record

Complaints by model year

Each bar is one model year. Highlighted: 2002. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.

’96’02’03’06’09’12’15148’96’02’03’06’09’12’15148

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.

0.0%1.6%3.1%’02’04’06’09’11’13’15’171.1%0.0%1.6%3.1%’02’05’09’12’15’171.1%

NY DMV Vehicle Inspections, initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count

Year by year

Model yearComplaintsRecallsBulletinsCrashes · fires
2017 Lancer60751 · 0
2016 Lancer302651 · 0
2015 Lancer231705 · 0
2014 Lancer160743 · 2
2013 Lancer50660 · 0
2012 Lancer191873 · 0
2011 Lancer343981 · 0
2010 Lancer5161095 · 1
2009 LancerMost complaints98810611 · 3
2008 LancerMost complaints9151018 · 2
2007 Lancer22550 · 0
2006 Lancer374645 · 0
2005 Lancer243763 · 0
2004 Lancer804867 · 3
2003 LancerMost complaints19927713 · 1
2002 LancerMost complaints14829232 · 1
2000 Lancer10200 · 0
199610140 · 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 yearVehicles in fatal crashesDeaths in the vehicleRolled over
20171471
2016731
201523111
2014742
2013950
20121184
20111170
2010961
20091172
200825193
2007320
2006883
2005952
200413132
200317174
200215150

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.

YearVariantOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
20172017 Mitsubishi Lancer 4 DR AWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★☆12.1 %
20162016 Mitsubishi Lancer 4 DR AWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★☆12.1 %
20152015 Mitsubishi Lancer 4 DR AWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★☆12.1 %
20142014 Mitsubishi Lancer 4 DR AWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★☆12.1 %
20132013 Mitsubishi Lancer 4 DR AWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★☆12.1 %
20122012 Mitsubishi Lancer 4 DR AWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★☆12.1 %
20112011 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.

YearVariantEngineTransmissionCityHighwayCombinedCO₂ g/km
2017Lancer · Compact · Regular gasoline2.0 L, 4 cyl.AV68.76.97.9183
2016Lancer · Compact · Regular gasoline2.0 L, 4 cyl.AV68.66.87.8181
2015Lancer · Compact · Regular gasoline2.0 L, 4 cyl.AV69.26.98.2189
2014Lancer · Compact · Regular gasoline2.0 L, 4 cyl.AV69.27.08.2189
2013Lancer · Compact · Regular gasoline2.0 L, 4 cyl.AV69.27.08.2189
2012Lancer · Compact · Regular gasoline2.0 L, 4 cyl.AV9.27.08.2189
2011Lancer · Compact · Regular gasoline2.0 L, 4 cyl.AV9.37.18.3191
2010Lancer · Compact · Regular gasoline2.0 L, 4 cyl.AV10.37.89.2212
2009Lancer · Compact · Regular gasoline2.0 L, 4 cyl.M510.88.09.5219
2008Lancer · Compact · Regular gasoline2.0 L, 4 cyl.AV11.08.29.7223
2006Lancer · Compact · Regular gasoline2.0 L, 4 cyl.M510.07.68.9205
2005Lancer · Compact · Regular gasoline2.0 L, 4 cyl.M59.97.58.8202
2004Lancer · Compact · Regular gasoline2.0 L, 4 cyl.M59.87.48.7200
2003Lancer · Compact · Regular gasoline2.0 L, 4 cyl.M510.27.89.1209

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 yearRegisteredSold new in NZUsed imports
2019321
20183653555
201777472440
201690788016
20151,1051,06127
20141,4351,38132
201396590940
20121,0901,03248
201151745655
201053345563
200950239993
2008975627320
2007860631209
2006668355296
2005960601331
2004996666310
20031,075702337
2002633366248
2001682194432
2000472230227
1999478245208
1998590227310
1997380161196
1996775137556
1995368102237
1994333141163
199332163227
199235361261
19911196845
199064556

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 registeredOn the roadImportedMedian list price
20165012%€19,079
201512311%€18,579
20141165%€18,579
20138112%€22,314
20121968%€20,815
20113998%€20,298
201040512%€19,248
200936619%€27,598
20086037%€33,146
20072543%€19,598
20062603%—
20051497%—
20041528%€32,910
20037712%—
19993043%—
19983030%—
19973234%—
19966431%—
19953531%—
19944120%—
19932114%—
1992277%—
1991313%—
199035——
1989293%—
1988363%—
1987353%—
1986297%—
1981239%—

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 registeredIn useAverage mileage
201353170,000 km
2012104182,000 km
2011134175,000 km
2010242201,000 km
2009264220,000 km
2008469226,000 km
2007184223,000 km
2006228225,000 km
2005182241,000 km
2004194245,000 km
200354249,000 km
200016188,000 km
199944203,000 km
199867235,000 km
199746211,000 km
199648244,000 km
199539235,000 km
199436255,000 km
199323244,000 km
199231223,000 km
199135257,000 km
199029236,000 km
198920242,000 km
198814195,000 km
19878193,000 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.

YearCars in injury collisionsFatalSerious
20252104
20242734
20234008
20223505
202126013

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.

BuiltLicensedOff the road (SORN)
20171—
201523
2014912
20122016
2011911208
20101,209332
2009811273
20081,004488
2007564277
2006585402
2005578522
2004175319
20034293
20022154
200161167
200052195
1999111307
199886263
19971062
199650235
19951070
1994648
1993217
1992121
1991213
199026
198923
198823
198713
198613

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 registeredTestsPassed first timeAll cars that yearAverage mileage
20111,36460%63%95,400 mi
20101,88757%60%98,300 mi
20091,29261%59%100,100 mi
20081,60964%57%93,100 mi
200797564%57%85,400 mi
20061,11963%56%87,200 mi
20051,13768%56%86,700 mi
200438084%56%78,700 mi
200325685%57%80,300 mi
200113389%59%70,900 mi
200010991%61%76,600 mi
199915386%63%76,300 mi
199810188%64%83,100 mi

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).

AreaLancerAll cars, same ages
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment16.1%19.3%
Suspension13.6%16.2%
Brakes10.0%11.2%
Steering7.1%3.3%
Noise, emissions and leaks5.9%5.7%
Visibility5.5%6.6%
Tyres5.1%7.2%
Body, chassis, structure4.3%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).

YearNew carsLargest marketsMass kgCO₂ g/kmPower kW
20221Spain1,350140 (WLTP)150
20201Spain1,547258 (NEDC)—
20199Czechia, Slovakia, United Kingdom1,388196 (WLTP)86
2018526Austria, Germany, Czechia1,354131 (NEDC)86
20171,477Germany, Austria, Hungary1,371134 (NEDC)89
20162,295Germany, Poland, Hungary1,365—88
20153,348Germany, Poland, Hungary1,370—88
20143,218Germany, Poland, Hungary1,385—92
20132,372Germany, Poland, Belgium1,419—101
20124,417Germany, Poland, Sweden1,432—99
201111,307Germany, Poland, United Kingdom1,453—103
201017,303Germany, United Kingdom, Poland1,452——

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.

A12/00893/21 · Injuries18 Jun 2021 · Lancer Station Wagon, Lancer, Colt, Pajero Pinin, Space Runner, L400 / Space Gear, Pajero

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…

A12/1968/18 · Injuries21 Dec 2018 · Lancer

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…

A12/1969/18 · Injuries21 Dec 2018 · ASX, Lancer, Lancer Sportback and Space Star.

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…

A12/1723/18 · Injuries16 Nov 2018 · Lancer, Lancer Sportback and Outlander

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.

A12/1724/18 · Injuries16 Nov 2018 · ASX, Lancer and Outlander

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…

A12/1462/18 · Injuries5 Oct 2018 · Outlander, Outlander PHEV, Lancer,Lancer Sportback

The engine control relay unit (ECU) or valve lift control relay can heat up abnormally. As the result the engine can stall whilst driving.

A12/1379/15 · Injuries13 Nov 2015 · Outlander; Lancer Sportback; Lancer Sportlimousine; Lancer; Lancer Evolution

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.

A12/1301/15 · Injuries30 Oct 2015 · Lancer and Mitsubishi i

The passenger side airbag inflator might release fragments during deployment which could injure the passenger.

A12/1707/14 · Injuries31 Oct 2014 · ASX, Lancer, Lancer Sportback, Evolution and Outlander

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…

A12/0412/14 · Injuries21 Mar 2014 · ASX, Lancer/Lancer Sportback

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.

20V279000 · Structure18 May 2020 · 2008, 2009, 2010

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.

18V220000 · Air bags5 Apr 2018 · 2004, 2005, 2006

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.

18V071000 · Visibility26 Jan 2018 · 2008, 2009, 2010

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.

18V069000 · Engine and engine cooling26 Jan 2018 · 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012

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.

17V609000 · Electrical system29 Sept 2017 · 2015, 2016

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.

17V569000 · Air bags14 Sept 2017 · 2004, 2005, 2006

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.

16V563000 · Power train28 Jul 2016 · 2016

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.

16V458000 · Suspension23 Jun 2016 · 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007

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.

16V334000 · Air bags23 May 2016 · 2006, 2007

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.

15V233000 · Visibility20 Apr 2015 · 2009, 2010, 2011

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.

15V232000 · Electrical system20 Apr 2015 · 2009, 2010

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.

14V562000 · Engine and engine cooling12 Sept 2014 · 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

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