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Mitsubishi LancerModel year report

2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Problems

Compared with other Mitsubishi Lancer years

Typical for this model

50/100 1.0× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2011

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
51filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
70,000miles, 23 complaints with mileage
Recalls
6campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
25 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 22 city / 31 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this 2010 Lancer most often describe an engine belt and pulley recall repair that was delayed because replacement parts were not available. Other recurring reports involve ABS and stability warning lights, brakes that owners say did not slow the vehicle as expected, sudden loss of power, and wiper, sunroof or sun visor failures. Many of the recall-related complaints were filed in late 2014 and early 2015 and say the owner had not yet experienced a failure, while the other reports span a much wider range of mileage.

  1. Engine cooling

    Engine belt recall: parts unavailable or delayed

    • 17 complaints (33%)
    • median 70,000 mi at 5.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2014–2020

    Most of these complaints say the owner received notice of recall 14V562000 for an engine belt and pulley arrangement, but replacement parts were not available. Dealers reportedly could not say when parts would arrive, and some owners say the manufacturer took longer than a reasonable time to finish the repair. Many state the vehicle had not yet failed, and one says the dealer would not perform recall work on Saturdays. Most were filed between October 2014 and March 2015 and do not state mileage.

    Recall 14V562000

    What to check: Ask whether recall 14V562000 has been completed and request the service record, since many complaints describe repairs that were still waiting on parts.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I contacted Mitsubishi of libertyville on 10/28/14. I was looking to set up an appointment to take care of the recall. They took my information, and told me the part(s) had to be ordered and that they would contact me when the part(s) had arrived. I have still yet to hear from them.”

    NHTSA complaint #10664462, filed 2014-12

    “2011 Mitsubishi Lancer due to the build material of the drive belt, the pulleys in the drive belt system can experience unusual wear, resulting in possible detachment of the drive belt. The consumer stated the parts were not available to satisfy the recall.”

    NHTSA complaint #10663872, filed 2015-02
  2. Brakes

    ABS and stability warning lights

    • 6 complaints (12%)
    • median 115,000 mi at 8.7 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2015–2021

    Owners describe ABS, ACS or stability control warning lights that came on while driving or with the vehicle not moving. In one complaint a mechanic said the lights were not a problem and pointed to a faulty electrical system, and in another the dealer said the ABS pump needed replacement. A different owner says the ABS code stayed stored after the electrical problem was fixed. Recorded mileage ranges from 6,409 to 200,000 miles, and the mileage is not stated in others.

    What to check: Ask for the stored codes from the ABS module and whether the battery and charging system were tested, since one complaint links low voltage to an ABS code. A test drive should confirm the warning lights stay off.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “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 miles

    “My complaint is on the anti lock brake pump/motor on 2010 Mitsubishi lancers. Iv read alot and talked to alot of people about this issue where at anytime the car ends up having a low or bad battery, and or any other issues causing lower then normal voltage. It sends a code to the ABS module causing it to fail. Making your ABS and engine light come on the dash. With that failure it stores the code and even after the electrical problems are fix you still can not clear the ABS/brake code. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11182884, filed 2019-02, 200,000 miles
  3. Engine

    Sudden loss of power or engine shut-off

    • 6 complaints (12%)
    • median 113,000 mi at 6.7 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2012–2022

    Owners describe the engine or drive losing power, entering a limp mode, or shutting off while driving. One complaint describes a sudden shut-off at highway speed that an independent mechanic attributed to loose connecting rod bolts and engine block damage. Others describe a too-hot warning on warm-weather inclines that reduces power, an engine that revs without the car moving when the gas pedal is pressed, and an electrical panel that cuts out when the car is started. According to complaints, a dealer could not diagnose the electrical problem, and another owner says the service centers would not repair the issue unless it appeared during a test drive. Recorded mileage ranges from 33,000 to 186,000 miles, and the mileage is not stated in others.

    What to check: Ask for any stored engine or transmission warning history and whether a limp-mode or power-loss event was ever recorded. A test drive that includes a long uphill climb can show whether a too-hot or power-loss warning appears.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “All electrical shuts off when car turns on. Check! And service engine! Notifications appear in dash, but disappear within seconds. Car can be idle or moving while electrical panel shuts off. Brought car to Mitsubishi for diagnosis, showed them a video of the dash and headlights turning off as if car is stalling, while rpms do not reach zero. They were unable to diagnose problem and said I will likely pay a lot of money to have it looked into and fixed, because they will have to trouble shoot on my dollar. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10672306, filed 2015-01, 70,000 miles

    “First incident occurred on 12/6/10 when the car had 11,000 miles on it. Sometimes when pressing the gas pedal, the engine revs up but the car doesn't move. This problem has happened about 25 times since I purchased the vehicle in november 2009. The vehicle issue has been reported to Mitsubishi corporate and the vehicle has been taken in to dealership service centers several times. The service centers admit to knowing what the problem is but won't fix it unless the car acts up when they test drive it. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10490039, filed 2012-12, 33,000 miles
  4. Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

    Wipers, sunroof or sun visor failing

    • 5 complaints (10%)
    • median 135,000 mi at 7.1 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2010–2019

    Owners report windshield wipers that stopped while driving without warning, and in one case the wipers failed again after an actuator repair and the motor later failed. Other complaints describe sunroof glass that broke apart on the highway and a sunroof assembly that fractured without warning. A sun visor that drifted down during use was replaced by the dealer, and the replacement visors drifted again. Recorded mileage ranges from 2,500 to 160,000 miles, and the mileage is not stated in others.

    Recall 18V071000

    What to check: Test that the wipers run smoothly at highway speed and that each sun visor holds its position. Ask whether the sunroof recall repair has been completed and inspect the glass and seals for cracks or looseness.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “After about 6 weeks use, sun visors in my new 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer malfunction during use, drifting downward obstructing forward vision. Visors were replaced at dealer. After 4 to 6 weeks, again the new visors drift downward when in use, obstructing vision. When driving toward the sun, driver must have one hand holding the visor in position and other hand on steering wheel - dangerous to shift gears or use turn signals. At this point Mitsubishi seems uninterested in fixing the problem.”

    NHTSA complaint #10359990, filed 2010-10, 2,500 miles

    “The contact owns a 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer. While driving various speeds, the windshield wipers failed to operate without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred several times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.”

    NHTSA complaint #10946463, filed 2017-01, 160,000 miles
  5. Brakes

    Brakes slow to respond or not responding

    Mentioned in 4 of 50 sampled complaints

    These complaints describe brake pedal input that owners say did not slow the vehicle as expected, including one case at highway speed with cruise control on. Some of these complaints say the vehicle then crashed. In another case, the dash showed a service warning and the dealer had ordered a warranty part, but according to the complaint no work had been done yet. Recorded mileage ranges from 18,000 to 115,000 miles.

    What to check: On a test drive, check pedal feel and whether any brake or ABS warning appears, and ask for records of brake repairs and any open parts orders.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Above unit is having brake problems. This is a safety defect. Vehicle is not slowing down as quickly as it should be. A warning display appears in the dash indicating that service is required.this problem was detected by a local authorized dealer. I was told the repair part is under warranty; they placed an order and no action has been taker so far.”

    NHTSA complaint #10456263, filed 2012-04

    “The contact owns a 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH with the cruise control activated she depressed the brake pedal but the brakes would not respond. The contact crashed into another vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for a body repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 48,000.”

    NHTSA complaint #10519669, filed 2013-06, 48,000 miles

Buying note. Before buying a 2010 Lancer, ask whether the engine belt recall has been completed, since many complaints describe repairs held up by parts. During a test drive, check the ABS and brake warning lights, brake response, and whether the engine accelerates normally.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 50 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 51 consumer complaints for the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer. 23 of the complaints include a mileage, and 48% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 70,000 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 111 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 4 Mitsubishi Lancer model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 50 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Electronic stability control (2), Vehicle speed control (2), Fuel system (1), Seat belts (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1), Tires (1).

Example complaints

Engine: “Hello NHTSA, I have a 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer ralliart sportback. I have just came across a crack in my exhaust manifold which is causing exhaust fumes to enter the cabin of the vehicle if my windows are up. I don't seem to be the only person with this type of car/engine that has a crack in the exhaust manifold. My car is not modified in any way that effects the performance that could cause such a crack to happen. This also appears to be the case for several thousand others. …”

NHTSA complaint #11222806, filed 2019-06, 93,000 miles

Engine cooling: “The contact owns a 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v562000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”

NHTSA complaint #10663148, filed 2014-12

Brakes: “The contact owns a 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact was a passenger in the vehicle as the driver was traveling 35 MPH. The brakes were applied to attempt a turn but did not respond and the driver engaged the parking brake. The vehicle proceeded to crash into a guardrail on the side of the highway, damaging the front end of the vehicle. The contact sustained injuries to the left arm, right leg and forehead. The driver sustained injuries to the arms, legs and neck. Emergency medical personnel arrived to treat the injuries. A police report was filed. …”

NHTSA complaint #10392356, filed 2011-03, 18,000 miles

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “2010 Mitsubishi Lancer. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle fails emissions due to service engine warning light indicates catalytic converter/sensor circuit slow response malfunction also passenger windows and key fob battery problems. The consumer stated the dealer advised that the 02 sensors and the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The passenger's window was inoperable. The rear passenger window was slow to open. The key fob also is inoperable. Updated 06/21/2017”

NHTSA complaint #10909213, filed 2017-06

Mileage when problems were reported

48% of the 23 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 25,500 and 113,000 miles.

13%0–1013%10–2522%25–509%50–759%75–10017%100–15017%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (23 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 70,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’11’1314’15’17’19’21’23
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Lancer · sedan FWD/AWDnot rated5 / 4——4 · 12.1% risk

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Lancer FWD2.0L 4-cylCVT233026$2,600
Lancer FWD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual223125$2,700
Lancer AWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed automatic172520$4,100
Lancer FWD2.4L 4-cylCVT222925$2,700
Lancer FWD2.4L 4-cyl5-speed manual202823$2,900

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 111 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 111 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mitsubishi Lancer

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20176—0430—Not enough data
20163063,50024280 · FewerFalling
20152321,0001428—Stable
20141675,0000427—Stable
2013583,0000428—Not enough data
20121955,0001428—Falling
20113450,6063—2720 · FewerFalling
20105170,0006—2550 · TypicalFalling
20099875,0008—2486 · MoreFalling
20089133,0005—2487 · MoreFalling
200637100,0004—23Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20052470,0003—23—Stable
20048060,0004—24Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200319949,0002—26Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200214868,0002—25Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Mitsubishi Lancer model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer?

Owners of this 2010 Lancer most often describe an engine belt and pulley recall repair that was delayed because replacement parts were not available. The issues reported most often: Engine belt recall: parts unavailable or delayed; ABS and stability warning lights; Sudden loss of power or engine shut-off.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer have?

NHTSA recorded 51 consumer complaints for the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 13 complaints (25% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 8.

Has the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer been recalled?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer (Lancer, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 22 city and 31 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer reported?

Among the 23 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 70,000 miles and the middle half falls between 25,500 and 113,000 miles; 48% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.