YearToAvoid

2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer has a complaint index of 50 and ranks 7th worst out of 13 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 34 complaints, 3 recalls, 1 crash and 1 injury, with Engine problems the top complaint area at 32% of cases.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
50/100
#7 of 13 Lancer years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
34
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
1
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2013
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
25.5
23 city / 30 hwy
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Top 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer problems

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

  1. Engine11 (32%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain6 (18%)
  3. Electrical System4 (12%)
  4. Other4 (12%)
  5. Structure & Body4 (12%)
  6. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (12%)
  7. Brakes3 (9%)
  8. Seat Belts3 (9%)
  9. Steering3 (9%)
  10. Airbags2 (6%)

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

What owners report

  • Curtain airbags deployed unexpectedly while the car was parked with the engine off, burning and bruising the driver.
  • A rear tire lost pressure for days then ripped apart on the highway a few months after purchase.
  • Brake pedal sank to the floor at 50 mph on multiple occasions and the vehicle failed to stop.
  • A transmission made a loud grinding noise and failed shortly after a service engine light and reported misfire.
  • Owners who received the engine belt tensioner recall notice reported the replacement part was unavailable for an extended period.
  • An owner reported the vehicle would not start and the headlights would not shut off, requiring multiple tows to the dealer.
2011 Mitsubishi Lancer complaints: complaints filed per month2Oct 2011Jun 2013Oct 2014Jul 2015Dec 2017Jan 2019Sep 2019Sep 2022
34 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2011 to Nov 2022; peak Oct 2011 (2).

2011 Mitsubishi Lancer recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 18V069000Jan 26, 2018Engine141,053 vehicles

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

    Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Lancer, 2008-2012 Outlander, 2010-2012 Lancer Sportback, and 2011-2012 Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with either a 4B11 or 4B12 engine. The drive belt automatic tensioner flange may crack, allowing the accessory drive belt to detach.

    Risk: If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the belt tensioner with one that has an improved shape, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-001.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

2011 Mitsubishi Lancer fuel economy and fuel cost

City
23 MPG
Highway
30 MPG
Combined
25.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,550
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
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 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2009Avoid10098823
2010Avoid8351623
2011Caution5034325.5
2012Good3319125.5
2013Best85025.5

All Mitsubishi Lancer years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 Lancer has a complaint index of 50 and ranks 7th worst of 13 model years, putting it in Caution territory rather than Good or Avoid.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Lancer?
Engine issues account for 32% of complaints (11 of 34), followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 18% and Electrical System, Structure & Body, and Suspension at 12% each.
Does the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2011 Lancer, covering the engine belt tensioner, an engine drive belt, and an HVAC blower motor issue. None are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2011 Lancer compare to other Lancer years?
The 2011 model's complaint index of 50 is better than 2008, 2009, and 2010, which are all rated Avoid with indexes of 92, 100, and 83, but worse than years like 2013 and 2017, which are rated Best.
What is the fuel economy of the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer?
EPA rates the 2011 Lancer at 25.5 mpg combined (23 city / 30 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,550.

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.