Mitsubishi Lancer Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 861 consumer complaints across the 15 model years of the Mitsubishi Lancer (2002–2017) that have at least 5 complaints. 2003 has the most, with 199. Across all years, the part named most often is transmission and drivetrain (159 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Lancer model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 6 | — | 0 | 76 | — | Not enough data |
| 2016 | 30 | 63,500 | 2 | 66 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2015 | 23 | 21,000 | 1 | 71 | — | Stable |
| 2014 | 16 | 75,000 | 0 | 75 | — | Stable |
| 2013 | 5 | 83,000 | 0 | 67 | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 19 | 55,000 | 1 | 88 | — | Falling |
| 2011 | 34 | 50,606 | 3 | 99 | 20 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2010 | 51 | 70,000 | 6 | 111 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2009 | 98 | 75,000 | 8 | 107 | 86 · More | Falling |
| 2008 | 91 | 33,000 | 5 | 101 | 87 · More | Falling |
| 2006 | 37 | 100,000 | 4 | 69 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 24 | 70,000 | 3 | 81 | — | Stable |
| 2004 | 80 | 60,000 | 4 | 87 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 199 | 49,000 | 2 | 45 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 148 | 68,000 | 2 | 41 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Transmission and drivetrain159 21%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)148 19%
- Air bags111 14%
- Suspension78 10%
- Engine78 10%
- Electrical system73 9.4%
- Brakes67 8.7%
- Body and structure60 7.8%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2010: “My ABS and asc lights have been on for a while. Took it to a mechanic and was told it wasnt a problem, just a faulty electrical system. One day, I was coming off an exit ramp trying to brake so I could turn but my brakes wouldnt engage so I slam on my brake and they locked up and my car slid and crashed into a median. Tired to steer away but it wouldnt turn.”
NHTSA complaint #11323112, filed 2020-05, 115,000 miles2015: “I purchased my vehicle with 200 miles on it at 700 miles took it in for latches and rattles. Since that hair every 8k mikes it needed a new clutch at 22k miles madter slave failed transmission started to give out at 28k miles. Please revive sawc every 1,000 miles I've owned that car Mitsubishi stated no problems found at this time. But it was very noticeable once driven. …”
NHTSA complaint #11281241, filed 2019-11, 702 miles2009: “The ecu is bad and the headlights will turn off while driving there is many complaints on the internet about this but they refuse to acknowledge its an issue and want near 1000 $ to fix the issue. We have had the light turn off while driving several time causing my wife to panic and causing alarm that could have resulted in an accident”
NHTSA complaint #11162622, filed 2018-12, 90,000 milesOther Mitsubishi models
2,131 complaintsMitsubishi Galant
1,781 complaintsMitsubishi Outlander
1,323 complaintsMitsubishi Montero
770 complaintsMitsubishi Mirage
689 complaintsMitsubishi Diamante
502 complaintsMitsubishi Outlander Sport
473 complaintsMitsubishi 3000GT
459 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology