VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Mitsubishi Lancer2002–2017
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Mitsubishi Lancer
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Mitsubishi Lancer Years to Avoid
3 recalls · 91 complaints
14 reported injuries
Top issue: VISIBILITY
3 recalls · 108 complaints
11 reported injuries
Top issue: VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
3 recalls · 67 complaints
4 reported injuries
Top issue: SUSPENSION
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 2 past investigations into the Lancer became recalls.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 28, 2026.
Mitsubishi Lancer — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 0 | 6 | — | — | 100 | 81 | 93 | Excellent |
| 2016 | 0 | 15 | — | — | 100 | 74 | 91 | Good |
| 2015 | 0 | 18 | 3 | — | 90 | 67 | 82 | Good |
| 2014 | 0 | 9 | — | — | 100 | 61 | 86 | Excellent |
| 2013 | 0 | 4 | — | — | 100 | 56 | 85 | Excellent |
| 2012 | 0 | 16 | — | — | 100 | 52 | 83 | Good |
| 2011 | 0 | 29 | — | — | 85 | 49 | 72 | Good |
| 2010 | 2 | 23 | 2 | — | 85 | 49 | 72 | Good |
| 2009 | 4 | 46 | 7 | — | 85 | 49 | 72 | Caution |
| 2008 | 3 | 67 | 4 | — | 85 | 49 | 72 | Caution |
| 2007 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 100 | 49 | 82 | Excellent |
| 2006 | 2 | 20 | 3 | — | 85 | 49 | 72 | Good |
| 2005 | 2 | 10 | — | — | 100 | 49 | 82 | Good |
| 2004 | 3 | 48 | 2 | — | 85 | 49 | 72 | Caution |
| 2003 | 3 | 108 | 11 | — | 85 | 49 | 72 | Avoid |
| 2002 | 3 | 91 | 14 | 3 | 85 | 49 | 72 | Avoid |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Mitsubishi Lancer Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the Lancer compares — best year within each era shown.
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 93).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Lancer to buy?+
The 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer scores highest on our Buyer Score (93/100) — combining a reliability score of 100/100 with a value score of 81/100. It has 0 recalls and 6 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which Lancer years have the most problems?+
The 2002, 2003, 2008 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2002 Lancer leads with 3 recalls and 91 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common Lancer problems?+
The most frequently reported Mitsubishi Lancer issues involve: AIR BAGS, POWER TRAIN, SUSPENSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.