Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Best and Worst Years (2005–2015)
Across 11 model years, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution's worst years are 2010, 2008 and 2005, with complaint indexes of 100, 90 and 80. No year earns a Good or Best verdict because every year carries recall campaigns; 2006, 2011 and 2014 are the lowest-risk choices among the Caution years.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2005Avoid 2008Avoid 2010Lowest-risk years:Caution 2006Caution 2011Caution 2014
- Model years
- 11
- 2005–2015
- NHTSA complaints
- 131
- Recall campaigns
- 13
- Crashes reported
- 3
- Fires reported
- 3
- Top problem area
- Transmission & Powertrain
Lancer Evolution Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Avoid | 80 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 2 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 19 | — |
| 2006 | Caution | 70 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Engine | 18.5 | — |
| 2007 | No verdict | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | — | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 90 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Transmission & Powertrain | 18.5 | — |
| 2009 | No verdict | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | Engine | 18.5 | — |
| 2010 | Avoid | 100 | 28 | 0 | 1 | 5 | Transmission & Powertrain | 18.5 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 50 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Transmission & Powertrain | 19 | — |
| 2012 | No verdict | 20 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 19 | — |
| 2013 | No verdict | 40 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 19 | — |
| 2014 | Caution | 60 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | Brakes | 19 | — |
| 2015 | No verdict | 30 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Transmission & Powertrain | 19 | — |
Lancer Evolution years to avoid: what went wrong
2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Index 100 · 28 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2010 model is the worst year overall, with a complaint index of 100, 28 total complaints, and 5 recall campaigns, plus one reported fire. Transmission and powertrain issues lead with 20 complaints (71% share) at a median mileage of 43,000, including clutch and shifting failures. Brakes followed with 8 complaints (median mileage 40,500), and fuel system complaints included strong fuel odors inside the cabin. Recalls cover sunroof glass detachment, an ECU replacement, and a blower motor replacement.
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Index 90 · 36 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2008 model ranks second-worst with a complaint index of 90, 36 total complaints, and 4 recall campaigns. Transmission and powertrain problems dominate, 26 complaints (72% share) at a median mileage of 47,850, including clutch master cylinder and AWC pump failures. Brakes followed closely with 19 complaints (53% share) at the same median mileage. Recalls address a drive belt replacement, clutch master cylinder replacement, and front airbag sensor corrosion. No crashes, fires, or injuries were reported for this year.
2008 transmission & powertrain problems →2008 brakes problems →
2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Index 80 · 14 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2005 Lancer Evolution carries a complaint index of 80, the third-worst year, with 14 total complaints and 2 recall campaigns. Owners most often reported suspension, wheel, and tire problems (5 complaints, 36% share, median mileage 187,000), plus steering issues (4 complaints, median mileage 93,500) including loose front bearings causing erratic steering. Transmission complaints, mainly clutch failures, showed up as early as a 9,661-mile median. One recall covers front cross-member corrosion and another covers a turbo charger coolant hose leak. Two crashes and two injuries were reported for this year.
Most common Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Transmission & Powertrain69 (53%)
- Brakes38 (29%)
- Engine28 (21%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires14 (11%)
- Other11 (8%)
- Fuel System9 (7%)
- Steering9 (7%)
- Electrical System7 (5%)
- Structure & Body6 (5%)
- Airbags2 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What year Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution should I avoid?
- NHTSA data flags 2005, 2008, and 2010 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 80, 90, and 100 respectively, the three highest among all 11 covered years.
- Is there a best year for the Lancer Evolution?
- No year qualifies as Good or Best because every model year is capped by recall campaigns. The lowest-risk years are 2006, 2011, and 2014, all rated Caution.
- What are the most common problems with the Lancer Evolution?
- Across all years, transmission and powertrain issues account for 69 of 131 complaints (53% share), followed by brakes at 38 complaints (29% share) and engine problems at 28 complaints (21% share).
- How many recalls does the Lancer Evolution have?
- NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns across the 2005-2015 Lancer Evolution, none of them do-not-drive recalls.
- Is the 2010 Lancer Evolution reliable?
- The 2010 model has the highest complaint index of any year at 100, driven mainly by transmission and powertrain complaints at a median mileage of 43,000, making it the worst year in this data set.