MotorDeets

Mitsubishi Lancer problems, recalls & best years

The deets on every Lancer from 1996 to 2017: 865 owner complaints and 43 recalls across 18 model years.

The model years with the most owner complaints are 2003 (199), 2002 (148), 2009 (98). Best fuel economy: 30 mpg combined (2017).

Mitsubishi Lancer
Photo: Jengtingchen · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Problem areas across all years

Transmission & drivetrain159
Visibility (wipers, glass)127
Airbags112
Suspension78
Engine78
Electrical74
Body & structure60
Other / unknown59

Year by year

YearRecallsComplaintsBest mpg
199601–
200001–
2002214826
2003219926
200448027
200532426
200643726
20072226
200859124
200989825
201065126
201133428
201211928
20130528
201401628
201512329
201623030
20170630

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the Mitsubishi Lancer.

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Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

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Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

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ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

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Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
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FAQ

What is the worst year for the Mitsubishi Lancer?

The model years with the most owner complaints are 2003 (199), 2002 (148), 2009 (98).

How many recalls has the Mitsubishi Lancer had?

Across 1996–2017, NHTSA lists 43 vehicle recall campaigns by model year (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year).