2010 Mitsubishi Lancer problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (11) · Engine And Engine Cooling (6) · Service Brakes (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mitsubishi Lancer model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
23 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (6)
Structure:frame And Members 2020-05-18 · campaign 20V279000 · 141,200 vehicles
Defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Sportback, 2008-2013 Outlander, and 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The front lower c
Risk: A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied or the front cross member will be replaced with a new one. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-20-003.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys 2018-01-26 · campaign 18V069000 · 141,053 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2018-01-26 · campaign 18V071000 · 56,641 vehicles
Defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Outlander, 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Evolution, and 2010 Lancer Sportback vehicles equipped with sunroofs. The sunroof glass may detach from the sunroof assembly, becoming a road hazard to other vehicles.
Risk: If the sunroof glass detaches from the assembly while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sunroof glass assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-003.
Electrical System 2015-04-20 · campaign 15V232000 · 53,396 vehicles
Defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles manufactured January 12, 2009, to July 6, 2010, 2009-2010 Outlander vehicles manufactured January 12, 2009, to August 27, 2010, 2010 Lancer Sportback vehicles manufactured June 17, 2009, to June 8, 2010, and 2010 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured July 14, 2009, to August 4, 2010. The affected vehicles have an electronic control unit (ECU) that controls the head lights, ta
Risk: Unstable voltage could result in intermittent failure of the vehicle's head lights, tail lights, and windshield wipers. If the headlights and/or windshield wipers fail, the driver could have reduced visibility. If the tail lights fail, the vehicle could be less visible. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected ECU, 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-15-002.
Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:fan/Motor 2015-04-20 · campaign 15V233000 · 76,958 vehicles
Defect: 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 a
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.
Fix: 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys 2014-09-12 · campaign 14V562000 · 165,923 vehicles
Defect: 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 detachme
Risk: If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (110)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Seat Belts 2025-11-21 · TECH TALK 289 · Other
tech talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. it covers various topics and reviews the previous months publications.
Power Train 2023-07-21 · TSB-23-22-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this technical service bulletin provides service manual corrections and additional information for the transaxle assembly removal and installation of the roll stopper bracket.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-07-21 · DEALER LETTER · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a dealer letter sent to dealers informing that mitsubishi technical training has launched the 3rd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.
Structure 2023-04-24 · TSB-23-00-004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this technical service bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of rap-film adhesive residue.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-04-24 · TSB-23-00-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this technical service bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the reduction in load carrying capacity be affixed to vehicles when the total net weight of accessories is more than 1.5 percent of the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr) or 100 lbs.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-04-21 · DEALER LETTER · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a dealer letter sent to dealers informing that mitsubishi technical training has launched the 2nd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.
Showing the 6 most recent of 110 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-08-03 · Unknown Or Other“while driving the car we began hearing a rattling noise. we took it to the dealer to get it checked. they informed us that the control member was beginning to rust out causing the control arms to become loose. this is the exact problem related to a recall in other states for this car. …”
2022-09-20 · Vehicle Speed Control“the car started flashing a warning sign and loosing power. when trying to accelerate it stops. eventually it puts the car into a limp mode and will stall altogether. this happens any long distance trip. my car year and model is not the only lancer being effected by this computer glitch. it’s very dangerous due to the fact that the cars loosing powe…”
2021-02-22 · Vehicle Speed Control“all mitsubishi lancer evolution x models are having problems with the ayc acd pumps, this affects the stability and the handling of the vehicle specially in bad weather conditions because the system doesn't work properly in case of a slippery or bad road. the problem with this pumps begin with it's location because it receives dirt,water, snow and …”
2020-06-25 · Engine · 161,000 mi“warning message "too hot slow down" appears when inclining uphill in above 70 degrees (f) at 45mph or more. transmission begins to lose power, deceleration occurs, temperature gauge reads normal on dashboard menu, vehicle transmission runs on high rpm above 3000, transmission sounds are louder than normal, and when vehicle reaches complete stop, ve…”
2020-06-09 · Visibility/Wiper“the mitsubishi dealer told me they couldn't fix one of the recalls because it was an "after market part". *tr…”
2020-05-03 · Steering · 115,000 mi · 💥 crash“my abs and asc lights have been on for a while. took it to a mechanic and was told it wasnt a problem, just a faulty electrical system. one day, i was coming off an exit ramp trying to brake so i could turn but my brakes wouldnt engage so i slam on my brake and they locked up and my car slid and crashed into a median. tired to steer away but it wou…”
2019-06-26 · Engine · 93,000 mi“hello nhtsa, i have a 2011 mitsubishi lancer ralliart sportback. i have just came across a crack in my exhaust manifold which is causing exhaust fumes to enter the cabin of the vehicle if my windows are up. i don't seem to be the only person with this type of car/engine that has a crack in the exhaust manifold. my car is not modified in any w…”
2019-02-27 · Service Brakes · 200,000 mi“my complaint is on the anti lock brake pump/motor on 2010 mitsubishi lancers. iv read alot and talked to alot of people about this issue where at anytime the car ends up having a low or bad battery, and or any other issues causing lower then normal voltage. it sends a code to the abs module causing it to fail. making your abs and engine light come…”
2019-01-29 · Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly“tl* the contact owns a 2010 mitsubishi lancer. while driving highway speeds, the sun roof assembly fractured without warning. there were no injuries. the manufacturer was notified. the dealer was not contacted. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the failure mileage was not available. …”
2018-07-24 · Engine · 186,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2010 mitsubishi lancer. while driving approximately 70 mph, the vehicle suddenly shut off. the vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the bolts to the i-beam connecting rod became loose and damaged the engine block. the vehicle was not repaired. the local dealer (kelly mitsubishi, 536 state ave, em…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.