Mitsubishi Lancer Problems — All Years, Common Issues & Reliability Report
Year-by-year breakdown of safety recalls, NHTSA owner complaints, reported injuries, and worst problem areas. Data sourced from federal safety databases and updated daily.
Own a Mitsubishi Lancer? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
Mitsubishi Lancer — Year-by-Year Problem Comparison
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Worst Component | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 0 | 6 | 0 | AIR BAGS | Full report → |
| 2016Worst | 2 | 29 | 2 | POWER TRAIN | Full report → |
| 2015 | 1 | 26 | 3 | POWER TRAIN | Full report → |
| 2014 | 0 | 23 | 2 | POWER TRAIN | Full report → |
| 2013Best | 0 | 5 | 0 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES | Full report → |
| 2012 | 1 | 19 | 1 | ENGINE | Full report → |
Most Common Lancer Problems
Based on 108 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across recent model years.
Lancer Years to Avoid
Best Lancer Years to Buy
Mitsubishi Lancer Problems by Year
Frequently Asked Questions — Mitsubishi Lancer Reliability
What year Lancer has the most problems?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer had the highest combined complaint and recall count among recent model years — 29 complaints and 2 safety recalls. See the full 2016 report for details on specific defects.
Is the Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?
The Mitsubishi Lancer has accumulated 108 owner-filed complaints and 4 safety recalls across recent model years in NHTSA's national database. The 2013 model year stands out as having the fewest reported issues in recent data. Reliability varies significantly by year and individual vehicle history — always run a VIN check before purchasing any used Lancer.
What are the most common Lancer problems?
The most frequently cited problem areas for the Mitsubishi Lancer across recent model years are: POWER TRAIN (30 reports), AIR BAGS (11 reports), ENGINE (6 reports), STRUCTURE (4 reports). These are based on NHTSA complaints submitted directly by vehicle owners.
How do I check if my Lancer has an open recall?
You can check for open recalls on any Mitsubishi Lancer using the vehicle's 17-character VIN at VinCheckEngine.com. Our free VIN report pulls the latest NHTSA recall data along with accident history, odometer records, and other key information. Recalls on this page are model-level — a VIN check will confirm whether your specific vehicle's recall was remedied.
Check a Specific Mitsubishi Lancer VIN
Model-level data shows what can go wrong. A VIN-specific report shows what has gone wrong with a particular vehicle — including auction history, odometer discrepancies, lien status, open recalls, accident records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
Run a Free Mitsubishi Lancer VIN Report →No account required · Instant results · Updated daily