Mitsubishi Lancer Best and Worst Years (2005–2017)
Avoid the 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer, which carry the highest complaint indexes (92, 100, 83, and 75) and multiple recalls. The 2013 and 2017 model years rate Best, with complaint indexes of 8 and 17 and zero recalls each.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 13
- 2005–2017
- NHTSA complaints
- 436
- Recall campaigns
- 14
- Crashes reported
- 46
- Fires reported
- 8
- Top problem area
- Engine
Lancer 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 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Good | 25 | 24 | 3 | 0 | 3 | Airbags | 23 | — |
| 2006 | Caution | 67 | 37 | 5 | 0 | 4 | Airbags | 23 | — |
| 2007 | No verdict | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Airbags | 25.5 | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 92 | 91 | 8 | 2 | 5 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 24 | — |
| 2009 | Avoid | 100 | 98 | 11 | 3 | 8 | Engine | 23 | — |
| 2010 | Avoid | 83 | 51 | 5 | 1 | 6 | Engine | 23 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 50 | 34 | 1 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 25.5 | — |
| 2012 | Good | 33 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 25.5 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Best | 8 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | 25.5 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Good | 42 | 16 | 3 | 2 | 0 | Transmission & Powertrain | 25.5 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Avoid | 75 | 23 | 5 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 25.5 | 4★ |
| 2016 | Caution | 58 | 30 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Transmission & Powertrain | 26 | 4★ |
| 2017 | Best | 17 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Airbags | 28 | 4★ |
Lancer years to avoid: what went wrong
2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Index 100 · 98 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2009 Lancer ranks worst of all years, with a complaint index of 100, 98 complaints, and 8 recalls. Engine and electrical system issues each account for roughly 30% of complaints, with a shared median failure mileage near 74,943 miles. Brake complaints cluster around 55,000 miles. Owners describe brake failure at highway speed leading to rollover and fire, an amplifier under the driver's seat that smoked and sparked repeatedly, and airbags that failed to deploy during a swerve to avoid another driver.
2009 engine problems →2009 electrical system problems →2009 brakes problems →
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Index 92 · 91 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2008 Lancer has a complaint index of 92, the second-worst of all years, with 91 complaints and 5 recalls covering structure/body, sunroof glass, and engine drive belts. Suspension, wheels and tires make up 31% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 32,393 miles. Steering problems appear at a similarly low median of 38,150 miles. Owners also report engine issues at a much higher median mileage of 105,000. Sample complaints describe brake pulsing that led to a crash, airbags failing to deploy in a moderate-speed impact, and an engine fire while driving.
2008 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2008 engine problems →
2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Index 83 · 51 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2010 Lancer has a complaint index of 83, with 51 complaints and 6 recalls, including the same structure/body, sunroof, and engine belt campaigns as 2008 and 2009. Engine complaints dominate at 43% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 93,000. Electrical issues appear around 85,000 miles. Owners report brakes failing to respond during turns and highway stops, sometimes ending in a guardrail or pole collision, along with airbags that did not deploy in a rear-end crash chain.
2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Index 75 · 23 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2015 Lancer carries a complaint index of 75 with 23 complaints and one recall for defective electrical relays. Electrical system complaints are the largest share at 26%, with a low median failure mileage of 3,500 miles, and engine complaints show an even lower median of 702 miles. Owners describe dim headlights linked to animal-strike collisions, airbags failing to deploy after losing control at low speed, and windows with a factory watermark etched into the glass.
Most common Mitsubishi Lancer problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Engine108 (25%)
- Transmission & Powertrain79 (18%)
- Electrical System70 (16%)
- Airbags62 (14%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires60 (14%)
- Brakes47 (11%)
- Structure & Body37 (8%)
- Other35 (8%)
- Steering24 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers21 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What years should I avoid for the Mitsubishi Lancer?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer. These years have the highest complaint indexes (92, 100, 83, and 75) among all 13 model years covered.
- What is the best year for the Mitsubishi Lancer?
- The 2013 and 2017 Lancer are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 8 and 17 and zero recall campaigns each, the lowest of any model years.
- Is the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?
- The 2009 Lancer has the highest complaint index (100) of any Lancer year, with 98 complaints and 8 recall campaigns, led by engine and electrical system problems.
- Does the Mitsubishi Lancer have recall issues?
- Across 2005-2017, NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for the Lancer, with 2009 alone tied to 8 of them, covering areas like structure/body, sunroof glass, and engine components.
- What are the most common Lancer problem areas overall?
- Across all years, engine complaints lead at 25% of the 436 total complaints, followed by transmission and powertrain at 18%, electrical system at 16%, and airbags at 14%.