YearToAvoid

2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has a Complaint Index of 50, ranking 6th worst out of 11 model years, with a Caution verdict. It has 11 complaints, 3 recalls, and no crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths reported to NHTSA.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
50/100
#6 of 11 Lancer Evolution years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
11
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Top issue
Transmission & Powertrain
Best nearby year
2014
lowest-risk (no Good/Best year)
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
19
17 city / 22.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution problems

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

  1. Transmission & Powertrain7 (64%)
  2. Brakes3 (27%)
  3. Electrical System2 (18%)
  4. Fuel System2 (18%)
  5. Other2 (18%)
  6. Engine1 (9%)
  7. Seat Belts1 (9%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (9%)

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

What owners report

  • AYC/ACD pump located in the wheel well corrodes from snow and road salt, causing the all-wheel-drive system to drop into two-wheel-drive mode.
  • Cold weather can trigger a loud whine from the AYC/ACD pump along with dashboard indicator lights blinking and the system entering failsafe mode.
  • A failed ACD pump can trigger an 'AWD service required' warning within seconds of starting to drive.
  • The blinking tarmac indicator light associated with ACD pump failure is described by one owner as visually disorienting while driving.
  • The driver's side seatbelt mechanism failed to latch securely in one reported case.
  • An abnormal fuel odor was reported at various speeds with the dealer unable to diagnose the cause.
2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution complaints: complaints filed per month1Jan 2013Sep 2013Jul 2014Sep 2014Jul 2015Dec 2017
11 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2013 to Dec 2017; peak Jan 2013 (1).

2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. NHTSA 14V562000Sep 12, 2014Engine165,923 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and associated pulleys

    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.

    Risk: If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the drive belt with a rubber belt. Drive pulleys that are excessively worn will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 15, 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-009.

  3. NHTSA 13V446000Sep 19, 2013Transmission & Powertrain10,474 vehicles

    Power train:manual transmission

    Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured from December 12, 2007, through March 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the clutch master cylinder can fail.

    Risk: Failure of the clutch master cylinder reduces the ability to shift the vehicle into or out of gear, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected clutch master cylinders free of charge. The recall began on November 12, 2013. Owners may contact Mitsubishi at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's campaign number for this recall is SR-13-009.

2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution fuel economy and fuel cost

City
17 MPG
Highway
22.5 MPG
Combined
19 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,200
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.

2011 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
2009No verdict102518.5
2010Avoid10028518.5
2011Caution5011319
2012No verdict203119
2013No verdict404119

All Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution reliable?
NHTSA data shows a Complaint Index of 50 for the 2011 model, giving it a Caution verdict relative to other Lancer Evolution years. It ranks 6th worst out of 11 model years tracked.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Lancer Evolution?
Transmission and powertrain issues account for 64% of complaints, largely centered on the AYC/ACD pump, with a median failure mileage of 28,000. Brakes, electrical system, and fuel system issues were also reported.
Does the 2011 Lancer Evolution have any recalls?
NHTSA lists three recalls for the 2011 model year: an HVAC blower motor replacement, an engine drive belt replacement, and a clutch master cylinder replacement.
What year Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution should I avoid?
The 2008 and 2010 model years have the highest Complaint Index scores (90 and 100) and Avoid verdicts. The 2011 model falls in the Caution range with a Complaint Index of 50.
At what mileage do 2011 Lancer Evolution problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure across all reported issues is 35,750 miles, with transmission and powertrain complaints centering around 28,000 miles.

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.