Mitsubishi Lancer Recalls (2010-2016)
The Mitsubishi Lancer has been the subject of 11 recall campaigns on record with NHTSA across the 2010 to 2016 model years. They cluster mostly around the engine and engine cooling, visibility, and electrical system.
The Mitsubishi Lancer scores 90 out of 100 (grade A), one of the cleaner recall records among the vehicles we track. That score reflects how serious the recalls are rather than how many. 64% involve a critical safety system, none carried a do-not-drive warning, and 0% were issued in the last three years. How the score works.
Those 11 campaigns span 7 model years of the Mitsubishi Lancer. The single largest affected 165,923 vehicles, over engine and engine cooling. A recall repair is free at a franchised dealer and most never expire, so an older open recall is still worth fixing. Beyond recalls, you can also see the most common Lancer problems owners report and its crash-test safety ratings.
The full record is below, grouped first by model year and then listed in detail. Each entry gives the defect NHTSA describes, the safety risk it creates, the manufacturer's remedy, the number of vehicles in that campaign, and the dates. A recall covers a whole production run, so a campaign listed for the Mitsubishi Lancer may not apply to your exact vehicle, and one you have already had repaired will still appear in the history. To see what is actually open and unfixed on a specific car, check its 17-digit VIN.
Mitsubishi Lancer recalls by model year
Recall activity by model year. Select a year to jump to its recalls below. Older years often carry more recalls simply because defects surface over time.
Mitsubishi Lancer recalls by affected system
Which vehicle systems the recalls touch, using NHTSA's component groups. Select a system to see how it is recalled across every make and model.
Recalls by model year
2016 Mitsubishi Lancer Recalls
2 recalls affect the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer, involving the electrical system and power train.
2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Recalls
2 recalls affect the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer, involving the electrical system, fuel system, and parking brake.
2014 Mitsubishi Lancer Recalls
2 recalls affect the 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer, involving the fuel system, parking brake, and steering.
2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Recalls
1 recall affects the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer, involving the power train.
2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Recalls
2 recalls affect the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer, involving the engine and engine cooling and power train.
2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Recalls
4 recalls affect the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer, involving the engine and engine cooling, visibility, and power train.
2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Recalls
7 recalls affect the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer, involving the engine and engine cooling, visibility, and structure.
Every Mitsubishi Lancer recall in detail
Select any recall to read the full defect, risk, and remedy text. Do Not Drive and Park Outside warnings stay visible without opening anything.
Structure
- Affected years
- 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer
- Vehicles in this recall
- 141,200
- Reported
- May 18, 2020
- Owners notified
- Aug 7, 2020
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 control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
Risk: A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign number 20V279000.
Engine And Engine Cooling
- Affected years
- 2010-2012 Mitsubishi Lancer
- Vehicles in this recall
- 141,053
- Reported
- Jan 26, 2018
- Owners notified
- Mar 27, 2018
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign number 18V069000.
Visibility
- Affected years
- 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer
- Vehicles in this recall
- 56,641
- Reported
- Jan 26, 2018
- Owners notified
- Feb 27, 2018
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign number 18V071000.
Electrical System
- Affected years
- 2015-2016 Mitsubishi Lancer
- Vehicles in this recall
- 132,552
- Reported
- Sep 29, 2017
- Owners notified
- Oct 24, 2017
Defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Outlander, 2015-2016 Lancer and Outlander Sport, and 2015 Lancer Evolution vehicles. These vehicles may have defective relays that can result in an engine stall, reduced engine power or the engine overheating.
Risk: If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected relays, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-005.
NHTSA campaign number 17V609000.
Power Train
- Affected years
- 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer
- Vehicles in this recall
- 82,436
- Reported
- Jul 28, 2016
- Owners notified
- Aug 15, 2016
Defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles and 2016 Outlander and Lancer vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a constant velocity transmission (CVT) that, in certain driving conditions, may cause a delay in the vehicle accelerating.
Risk: A hesitation during acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MMNA has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the CVT control unit with modified software, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2016. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-006.
NHTSA campaign number 16V563000.
Fuel System
- Affected years
- 2014-2015 Mitsubishi Lancer
- Vehicles in this recall
- 1,497
- Reported
- Aug 31, 2015
- Owners notified
- Oct 13, 2015
Defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured January 31, 2014, to September 5, 2014, and 2014-2015 Lancer Ralliart vehicles manufactured February 3, 2014, to September 5, 2014. The affected turbocharged vehicles have a right parking brake cable that may contact the fuel tank, wearing away the tank's protective coating.
Risk: Without the protective coating, the fuel tank may rust and leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right parking brake cable, and inspect the fuel tank, free of charge. If the fuel tank's exterior coating shows signs of damage from abrasive contact with the right parking brake cable, the fuel tank will also be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2015. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-15-009.
NHTSA campaign number 15V546000.
Electrical System
- Affected years
- 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer
- Vehicles in this recall
- 53,396
- Reported
- Apr 20, 2015
- Owners notified
- Jun 15, 2015
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, tail lights, and windshield wipers. Due to a manufacturing error, the voltage inside this ECU may be unstable.
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign number 15V232000.
Visibility
- Affected years
- 2010-2011 Mitsubishi Lancer
- Vehicles in this recall
- 76,958
- Reported
- Apr 20, 2015
- Owners notified
- Jun 15, 2015
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 affected vehicles, the blower motor may fail.
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign number 15V233000.
Engine And Engine Cooling
- Affected years
- 2010-2011 Mitsubishi Lancer
- Vehicles in this recall
- 165,923
- Reported
- Sep 12, 2014
- Owners notified
- Oct 15, 2014
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 detachment.
Risk: If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign number 14V562000.
Steering
- Affected years
- 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer
- Vehicles in this recall
- 146
- Reported
- May 27, 2014
- Owners notified
- Jul 1, 2014
Defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2014 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured January 31, 2014, through February 21, 2014, and 2014 Lancer Ralliart vehicles manufactured February 3, 2014, through February 14, 2014. The affected vehicles may have insufficient clearance between the power steering pressure tube and the crossmember brace.
Risk: Due to abrasion and rust, a hole may develop in the power steering tube, allowing the fluid to leak out, resulting in added steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the leaking fluid increases the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source such as a hot engine or exhaust component.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the power steering tube for sufficient clearance. If the vehicle has insufficient clearance, the power steering tube assembly will be replaced, free of charge. The manufacturer notified owners in July 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-004.
NHTSA campaign number 14V281000.
Power Train
- Affected years
- 2010-2013 Mitsubishi Lancer
- Vehicles in this recall
- 10,474
- Reported
- Sep 19, 2013
- Owners notified
- Nov 12, 2013
Defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured from December 12, 2007, through March 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the clutch master cylinder can fail.
Risk: Failure of the clutch master cylinder reduces the ability to shift the vehicle into or out of gear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected clutch master cylinders free of charge. The recall began on November 12, 2013. Owners may contact Mitsubishi at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's campaign number for this recall is SR-13-009.
NHTSA campaign number 13V446000.
Common questions about Mitsubishi Lancer recalls
- Does the Mitsubishi Lancer have any recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA has 11 recall campaigns on record for the Mitsubishi Lancer across the 2010 to 2016 model years. The most common areas are the engine and engine cooling, visibility, and electrical system.
- How many times has the Mitsubishi Lancer been recalled?
- The Mitsubishi Lancer has 11 recall campaigns from the 2010 to 2016 model years. A single campaign often covers several model years at once, so the number of recalls is not the same as the number of years affected.
- What is the most serious Mitsubishi Lancer recall?
- The most serious recall on record involves the engine and engine cooling, affecting 165,923 vehicles. If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Which Mitsubishi Lancer model year has the most recalls?
- The 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer has the most, with 7 recall campaigns on record. Older model years often pick up more recalls over time, since defects can surface years after a car is built.
- How do I check if my Mitsubishi Lancer has an open recall?
- Enter your 17-digit VIN on the recall check page. It returns the recalls tied to your exact vehicle straight from NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer, with no expiration on most safety recalls.
Recall data comes from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. For how it is sourced and how the safety score is built, see the methodology and data sources. This page is a reference, not legal or safety advice.