Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2011 Mitsubishi Lancer: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer, most recently filed January 2018. Owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (3)

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 18V069000 Filed Jan 26, 2018

Belt Tensioner may Break Allowing Belt to Detach

Engine and engine cooling · engine · gasoline · belts and associated pulleys
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
38.4% repairedof 141,053 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 18V069000
Listed for 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 15V233000 Filed Apr 20, 2015

Blower Motor may Fail

Visibility · defroster/defogger/hvac system · fan/motor
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
56.3% repairedof 76,958 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V233000
Listed for 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 14V562000 Filed Sep 12, 2014

Drive Belt may Detach due to Worn Engine Pulley

Engine and engine cooling · engine · gasoline · belts and associated pulleys
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
46.6% repairedof 165,923 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V562000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (34)

34 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.

1involved a crash
0involved a fire
1injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 34.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2011 compares with other Lancer years

Best and worst Lancer years →
2007200820092010201120122013201420152016
This year (2011)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 28 mpg combined

28
mpg combined
25
city
33
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,400
CO₂ tailpipe
317 g/mi
EPA class
Compact Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,333per year
$194per month
536gallons a year

Miles ÷ 28 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2011 Mitsubishi Lancer configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2 L 4-cyl · AV-S6 CVTFront-Wheel Drive25 / 33 / 28$2,400317
2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive24 / 32 / 27$2,500329
2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive24 / 32 / 27$2,500329
2 L 4-cyl · AV-S6 CVTFront-Wheel Drive24 / 31 / 27$2,500329
2.4 L 4-cyl · AV-S6 CVTFront-Wheel Drive23 / 30 / 26$2,600342
2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive22 / 30 / 25$2,700356
2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive22 / 30 / 25$2,700356
2.4 L 4-cyl · AV-S6 CVTFront-Wheel Drive23 / 29 / 25$2,700356
2 L 4-cyl · AutomaticAll-Wheel Drive18 / 25 / 20$4,100444
2 L 4-cyl · AutomaticAll-Wheel Drive18 / 25 / 20$4,100444

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2011 Lancer for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Lancer years

Where to next

2011 Mitsubishi Lancer FAQ

How many recalls does the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer have?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 18V069000 (engine), 15V233000 (visibility), 14V562000 (engine). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer problems?

Owners filed 34 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (8), Power train (6), Electrical system (4) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer get?

EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · AV-S6 CVT version at 25 city, 33 highway and 28 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2011 Lancer compare with other years?

Among the 2007–2016 Mitsubishi Lancer model years at least five years old, the 2007 drew the fewest complaints (2) and the 2009 the most (98). The 2011 drew 34. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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