Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine8
- Power train6
- Structure4
- Electrical system4
- Seat belts3
- Steering3
- Unknown or other3
- Engine and engine cooling3
- Suspension2
- Visibility/wiper2
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 1 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 11 2011 Lancer vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 7 people died inside them. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer failed the safety check 3.01% of the time — 21% more often than the average 2011 passenger car (2.49%). Median odometer at inspection: 125,369 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Registered new in Europe in 2011
11,307 new Mitsubishi Lancer cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2011; the largest markets were Germany (3,198), Poland (1,715), the United Kingdom (1,704).
- Average mass
- 1,453 kg
- Average power
- 103 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Petrol 69% · Diesel 31% · LPG 0.7%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Engines
The most common engines in 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer cars on Dutch roads are the 1.6 petrol (86 kW, 115 hp) and 1.8 petrol (105 kW, 141 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 1.6 petrol | 86 kW 115 hp | 338 |
| 1.8 petrol | 105 kW 141 hp | 33 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
399 first registered in 2011 are on Dutch roads; 8% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €20,298.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde291
- Stofhoes stuurinrichting beschadigd, dicht niet af159
- Band onvoldoende profiel129
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld116
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt102
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm91
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht90
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)87
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
911 cars built in 2011 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 208 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 1,364 of these cars first registered in 2011 took their annual MOT test. 60% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2011 the figure was 63%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2011 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 16.8% | 16.0% |
| Suspension | 13.0% | 14.1% |
| Brakes | 10.9% | 8.6% |
| Steering | 9.5% | 2.7% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 6.8% | 3.6% |
| Visibility | 6.5% | 5.4% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
134 of these cars first registered in 2011 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 175,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
517 2011 cars are on the New Zealand register; 11% arrived as used imports, 88% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 4 variants; not yet fully rated. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer 4 DR AWD | — | 12.1 % |
| 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer 4 DR FWD | — | 12.1 % |
| 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback 5 HB AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback 5 HB FWD | — | 0.0 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- No
- Lane departure warning
- No
- Best overall rating
- —
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 3 variants: combined 8.3–11.6 L/100 km (about 20–28 mpg US), CO₂ 191–267 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lancer · Compact · Regular gasoline | 9.3 | 7.1 | 8.3 |
| Lancer · Compact · Regular gasoline | 9.7 | 7.1 | 8.5 |
| Lancer · Compact · Premium gasoline | 13.4 | 9.4 | 11.6 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
5 Transport Canada recalls for the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer.
| 2018588 26 Oct 2018 | Visual System On certain vehicles, water may drain from the windshield cowl area onto the front wiper link ball joint. Over time, this could result in corrosion and/or wear t… |
| 2018052 26 Jan 2018 | Electrical On certain vehicles, the flange of the drive belt automatic tensioner may crack over time due to repetitive high load operations and stress concentration. This … |
| 2016382 29 Jul 2016 | Airbag On certain vehicles operated in areas of heavy road salt usage, a mixture of snow, water and road-salt solution may infiltrate between the front impact sensor a… |
| 2015166 17 Apr 2015 | Heater And Defroster On certain vehicles, the blower motor may have been incorrectly manufactured. This could result in a premature failure of the blower motor which could affect th… |
| 2014397 15 Sept 2014 | Engine On certain vehicles, the drive belt material may cause abnormal pulley wear. If the vehicle is driven under this condition, the drive belt may become damaged f… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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 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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Mitsubishi told its dealers about the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11006081 | This Technical Service Bulletin instructs the dealer to update the Hands Free Module software to improve the Bluetooth connection when certain devices are connected to WiFi. |
| 10240446 | This Technical Service Bulletin provides service manual corrections and additional information for the transaxle assembly removal and installation of the roll stopper bracket. |
| 10240443 | This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 3rd quarterly technician quiz for 2023. |
| 10235609 | This Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of rap-film adhesive residue. |
| 10235608 | This Technical Service Bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the reduction in load carrying capacity be affixed to vehicles when the total net weight of accessories is more than 1.5 percent of the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or 100 lbs. |
| 10235606 | This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 2nd quarterly technician quiz for 2023. |
| 10233997 | This Technical Service Bulletin contains technical information and troubleshooting for the accessory Remote Engine Start system for affected vehicles. |
| 10233994 | This is a Technical Information Notice informing dealers and parts managers about possible causes after a customer complains that the engine will not start while using the remote start system. |
| 10231410 | This TSB provides revisions to the Removal and Installation procedures for the rocker cover due to changes in the quantity of mounting bolts for vehicles equipped with 4B1 series engine. (Service Manual Revision) |
| 10211530 | This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by improper sealing or a defective/broken part. |
| 10191961 | This Technical Information Notice provides additional instructions to dealers when replacing the Valve Cover Gasket due to a customer concern of oil leaking. |
| 10176674 | This Technical Information Notice revises TIN-20-00-007 informing dealers TK Services has confirmed that pickup service has resumed for dealerships and customer facilities. |
| 10172523 | This TSB supercedes TSB-09-42A-015, issued October, 2009, to update affected vehicles, add Outlander Sport and add FAST Key case part numbers. Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) integrated key case and FAST Key Transmitter case repair kits are now available. If the plastic parts of the key are broken or missing, but the key functions properly, use the appropriate service parts kit instead of replacing the entire key assembly. When replacing only the key case, it is not necessary to program immobilizer, RKE and OSS functions. For integrated RKE keys, once the electronic components are transferred to th |
| 10172187 | Improper Secondary Parameter judgement criteria may cause false MIL illumination during 3rd Oxygen Sensor Monitoring (P0145). This TSB provides a field fix procedure to address false MIL illumination with DTC P0145 (Heated oxygen sensor (3rd) circuit slow response) stored in the ECM. This software update optimizes the judgement criteria to minimize false MIL illumination. |
| 10172186 | This TSB provides a field fix procedure to address false MIL illumination with DTC P0300 (Random/multiple cylinder misfire detected) stored in the ECM under the following conditions: 1. During cold engine start, rough or partial clutch operation (manual transmission only) may cause powertrain vibration similar to a misfire and cause false MIL illumination. 2. At high engine speeds with low load condition, a CVT downshift can cause powertrain vibration similar to a misfire and cause false MIL illumination. 3. At high engine speeds, improper Misfire Monitoring (P0300) threshold values may cause |
| 10170853 | Caution statements regarding the disposal of certain SRS components have been incorrect in the service manuals of affected vehicles. This TSB provides updated caution statements. |
| 10170852 | This Technical Service Bulletin updates the door adjustment procedure in the Body Section of the applicable service manuals. |
| 10170851 | Caution statements regarding the disposal of certain components using coin-type lithium batteries have been incorrect in the service manuals of affected vehicles. This TSB provides updated caution statements. |
| 10170846 | During cold engine start, rough or partial clutch operation may cause powertrain vibration similar to misfire conditions and cause false MIL illumination. New software revises improper Misfire Monitoring (P0300) threshold values to prevent these problems. This TSB provides a field fix procedure to address false MIL illumination with DTC P0300 (Random/multiple cylinder misfire detected) stored in the ECM. |
| 10170760 | This TSB clarifies the stop light switch installation and adjustment procedure in the affected service manuals. |
| 10170107 | This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers. |
| 10170106 | This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers. |
| 10170104 | This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers. |
| 10170103 | This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers. |
| 10170102 | This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)