YearToAvoid

2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has a complaint index of 100, the worst of all 11 model years covered, and carries an Avoid verdict. Transmission & powertrain issues make up 71% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 39,500 miles, plus 5 recalls.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
100/100
#1 of 11 Lancer Evolution years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
28
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
5
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Top issue
Transmission & Powertrain
Best nearby year
2011
lowest-risk (no Good/Best year)
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
18.5
16.5 city / 22 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Transmission & Powertrain20 (71%)
  2. Brakes8 (29%)
  3. Engine5 (18%)
  4. Fuel System4 (14%)
  5. Steering3 (11%)
  6. Electrical System1 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners report a strong fuel odor inside the cabin at low speeds and highway speeds alike, sometimes causing dizziness.
  • Clutch fails to engage at a stop, requiring clutch replacement.
  • Active center differential (ACD) and active yaw control (AYC) pump failures trigger a 4WD or AWD warning message, often blamed on corrosion from exposed pump components.
  • ABS sensor corrosion sets off ABS and stability control warning lights.
  • Electronic stability control hydraulic pump malfunctions after tens of thousands of miles.
  • An electrical fault referenced in a technical bulletin can leave the vehicle inoperable in cold temperatures.
2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution complaints: complaints filed per month3Jul 2010Feb 2012Apr 2013Nov 2013May 2014Mar 2016Jul 2019
28 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2010 to Jul 2019; peak May 2014 (3).

2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution recalls

5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 18V071000Jan 26, 2018Visibility & Wipers56,641 vehicles

    Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly

    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.

    Risk: If the sunroof glass detaches from the assembly while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sunroof glass assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-003.

  2. NHTSA 15V232000Apr 20, 2015Electrical System53,396 vehicles

    Electrical system

    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.

    Risk: Unstable voltage could result in intermittent failure of the vehicle's head lights, tail lights, and windshield wipers. If the headlights and/or windshield wipers fail, the driver could have reduced visibility. If the tail lights fail, the vehicle could be less visible. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected ECU, free of charge. The recall began on June 15 ,2015. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-15-002.

  3. NHTSA 15V233000Apr 20, 2015HVAC76,958 vehicles

    Visibility:defroster/defogger/HVAC system:fan/motor

    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.

    Risk: Failure of the blower motor may reduce the performance of the windshield defroster, diminishing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace a suspect blower motor, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-15-003.

See all 5 recalls for the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution →

2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution fuel economy and fuel cost

City
16.5 MPG
Highway
22 MPG
Combined
18.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,325
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2010 compared with other Lancer Evolution years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020052006200720082009201020112012201320142015
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2008Avoid9036418.5
2009No verdict102518.5
2010Avoid10028518.5
2011Caution5011319
2012No verdict203119

All Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2010 model year has the highest complaint index (100) among all 11 Lancer Evolution model years tracked, and it carries an Avoid verdict.
What is the biggest problem with the 2010 Lancer Evolution?
Transmission and powertrain issues dominate, accounting for 71% of complaints, with owners commonly reporting clutch and active differential/yaw control pump failures around a median of 39,500 miles.
Does the 2010 Lancer Evolution have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recalls covering the sunroof glass, an ECU replacement, a blower motor, a drive belt, and the clutch master cylinder.
How does the 2010 model compare to other Lancer Evolution years?
The 2010 model year ranks worst overall with a complaint index of 100, ahead of 2008 (90, Avoid) and 2005 (80, Avoid), while years like 2009 (10) and 2007 (0) show far fewer reported problems.
What mileage do transmission problems typically show up at in the 2010 Lancer Evolution?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 43,000 miles for transmission and powertrain complaints on the 2010 model.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.