Mitsubishi Lancer Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Mitsubishi Lancer model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 1996 drew the fewest (1) and the 2003 the most (199).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Engine and engine cooling | — | — |
| 2000 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Child seat | — | — |
| 2007 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 2 | Air bags | — | 25–26 |
| 2013 | 5 | 0 | Engine | 4★ | 20–28 |
| 2017 | 6 | 0 | Air bags | 4★ | 26–30 |
| 2014 | 16 | 0 | Power train | 4★ | 20–28 |
| 2012 | 19 | 1 | Power train | 4★ | 20–28 |
| 2015 | 23 | 1 | Electrical system | 4★ | 20–29 |
| 2005 | 24 | 3 | Air bags | — | 22–26 |
| 2016 | 30 | 2 | Power train | 4★ | 25–30 |
| 2011 | 34 | 3 | Engine | — | 20–28 |
| 2006 | 37 | 4 | Air bags | — | 22–26 |
| 2010 | 51 | 6 | Engine | — | 20–26 |
| 2004 | 83 | 4 | Air bags | — | 22–27 |
| 2008 | 91 | 5 | Suspension | — | 24 |
| 2009 Among the most complaints |
98 | 8 | Engine | — | 20–25 |
| 2002 Among the most complaints |
148 | 2 | Visibility | — | 23–26 |
| 2003 Among the most complaints |
199 | 2 | Visibility | — | 23–26 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Mitsubishi Lancer years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2003 Mitsubishi Lancer: 199 complaints
Most-reported: Visibility 71 (36%); Power train 51 (26%); Equipment 13 (7%).
Reports mention 13 crashes, 1 fire, 13 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 50,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2002 Mitsubishi Lancer: 148 complaints
Most-reported: Visibility 25 (17%); Air bags 23 (16%); Power train 22 (15%).
Reports mention 32 crashes, 1 fire, 22 injuries, 2 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 68,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2009 Mitsubishi Lancer: 98 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 22 (22%); Electrical system 19 (19%); Service brakes 16 (16%).
Reports mention 11 crashes, 3 fires, 10 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 75,000 miles. 8 recall campaigns listed.
The Mitsubishi Lancer years with the fewest complaints
1996 Mitsubishi Lancer: 1 complaints
Most-reported: Engine and engine cooling 1 (100%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
2007 Mitsubishi Lancer: 2 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 1 (50%); Electrical system 1 (50%); Exterior lighting 1 (50%).
2 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Mitsubishi Lancer owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 30 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 67,000 |
| 2015 | 23 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 21,000 |
| 2014 | 16 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 75,000 |
| 2013 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2012 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 55,000 |
| 2011 | 34 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 54,500 |
| 2010 | 51 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 70,000 |
| 2009 | 98 | 11 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 75,000 |
| 2008 | 91 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 33,000 |
| 2007 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2006 | 37 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 100,000 |
| 2005 | 24 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 70,000 |
| 2004 | 83 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 60,000 |
| 2003 | 199 | 13 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 50,000 |
| 2002 | 148 | 32 | 1 | 22 | 2 | 68,000 |
| 2000 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1996 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Mitsubishi Lancer recalls
- Lower Control Arm Detachment Due to Corrosion (2002–2007 model years; 194,674 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2016; 16V458000)
- Drive Belt may Detach due to Worn Engine Pulley (2008–2011 model years; 165,923 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2014; 14V562000)
- Lower Control Arm May Detach Due to Corrosion (2008–2010 model years; 141,200 vehicles across all models; filed May 2020; 20V279000)
- Belt Tensioner may Break Allowing Belt to Detach (2009–2012 model years; 141,053 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2018; 18V069000)
- Engine may Stall or Overheat (2015–2016 model years; 132,552 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2017; 17V609000)
All 15 Mitsubishi Lancer recall campaigns · Mitsubishi Lancer problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Mitsubishi Lancer years FAQ
Which Mitsubishi Lancer year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 1996 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Mitsubishi Lancer years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2003, 2002 and 2009 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the power train. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Mitsubishi Lancer problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the power train (159 of 868 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Mitsubishi Lancer have?
NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns covering the Mitsubishi Lancer. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Mitsubishi Lancer recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
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.