NHTSA Safety Recalls
Mitsubishi Lancer Recalls by Year
NHTSA's files hold 19 recall campaigns for the Mitsubishi Lancer, across 13 model years from 2002 to 2016. The 2009 has the most (8); the fewest among years with a recall is 2015 (1).
Mitsubishi Lancer years to avoid by our method: 2003 (2.6× the median year).
- Model years
- 13
- Recall campaigns
- 19
- Most recalls
- 2009
- Owner complaints
- 864
2002–2016, with a recall
8 recalls
all model years, NHTSA
Owners have filed 864 complaints with NHTSA about the Mitsubishi Lancer across 17 model years; the most, 199, concern the 2003.
Owners marked a crash on 98 of the Mitsubishi Lancer complaints (11%) and a fire on 13.
Across all Mitsubishi Lancer model years, owners name the power train most often (at least 157 complaints), then the visibility (117).
NHTSA received the most complaints about the Mitsubishi Lancer in 2014: 59, across all model years.
The component recalled most often on the Mitsubishi Lancer is exterior lighting: headlights, in 10 model-year listings.
The newest Mitsubishi Lancer recall, 20V279000, was reported on May 18, 2020 and concerns the structure: frame and members.
NHTSA's recall file lists no recall for the 2013 and 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer, model years owners have filed complaints about.
Mitsubishi Lancer years to avoid
The 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer stands out most: 77 complaints between 2002 and 2006, 36% of them naming the visibility.
The 2003 also carries 6 recalls, against a median of 5 for the ranked Mitsubishi Lancer years.
The best-measured Mitsubishi Lancer years are 2015 (0.5×), 2011 (0.5×) and 2004 (0.9×).
The ranking uses owner complaints in each model year's first years on the road, adjusted for NHTSA's complaint volume for that model year. It is not adjusted for sales and is not a reliability rating. Method
Recalls and complaints by model year
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | First years | vs median year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 0 | 6 | 1 | not ranked |
| 2016 | 2 | 30 | 5 | not ranked |
| 2015 | 1 | 23 | 14 | 0.5× |
| 2014 | 0 | 16 | 6 | not ranked |
| 2013 | 0 | 5 | 0 | not ranked |
| 2012 | 1 | 19 | 4 | not ranked |
| 2011 | 3 | 34 | 12 | 0.5× |
| 2010 | 6 | 51 | 9 | not ranked |
| 2009 | 8 | 98 | 17 | 1.0× |
| 2008 | 5 | 91 | 36 | 1.4× |
| 2007 | 3 | 2 | 0 | not ranked |
| 2006 | 7 | 37 | 5 | not ranked |
| 2005 | 6 | 24 | 8 | not ranked |
| 2004 | 7 | 80 | 25 | 0.9× |
| 2003avoid | 6 | 199 | 77 | 2.6× |
| 2002 | 4 | 148 | 61 | 1.7× |
First years: complaints received from the year before the model year to three years after it.Mitsubishi Lancer years without a link have no recall page on this site.
What gets recalled most on the Mitsubishi Lancer
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS10
- AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE8
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS8
- SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM6
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING6
- EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS3
- STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS3
- VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY3
- VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR3
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY2
Mitsubishi Lancer model-year listings per recall component; one campaign can cover several years.
Every Mitsubishi Lancer recall campaign (19)
| Campaign | Component | Years | Risk named | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20V279000May 18, 2020 | structure: frame and members | 2008–2010 | crash | 141,200 |
| 18V220000April 5, 2018 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2004–2006 | crash, injury and death | 17,120 |
| 18V069000January 26, 2018 | engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys | 2009–2012 | crash | 141,053 |
| 18V071000January 26, 2018 | visibility: sun/moon roof assembly | 2008–2010 | crash | 56,641 |
| 17V609000September 29, 2017 | electrical system: starter assembly: relay | 2015–2016 | crash | 132,552 |
| 17V569000September 14, 2017 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2004–2006 | crash, injury and death | 66,001 |
| 16V563000July 28, 2016 | power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) | 2016 | crash | 82,436 |
| 16V458000June 23, 2016 | suspension: front: control arm: lower arm | 2002–2007 | crash | 194,674 |
| 16V334000May 23, 2016 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2006–2007 | injury and death | 38,628 |
| 15V232000April 20, 2015 | electrical system | 2009–2010 | crash | 53,396 |
| 15V233000April 20, 2015 | visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor | 2009–2011 | crash | 76,958 |
| 14V562000September 12, 2014 | engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys | 2008–2011 | crash | 165,923 |
| 09V435000November 5, 2009 | air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive | 2008–2009 | crash and injury | 29,353 |
| 09V077000March 10, 2009 | service brakes, air: supply: check valve | 2008–2009 | crash | 39,711 |
| 04V428000September 1, 2004 | equipment: other: labels | 2002–2004 | — | 100,432 |
| 06E023000 | exterior lighting: headlights | 2003–2006 | crash | — |
| 06E038000 | exterior lighting | 2002–2003 | crash | — |
| 06E064000 | exterior lighting | 2003–2006 | crash | — |
| 09E025000 | exterior lighting: headlights | 2002–2007 | crash | — |
Vehicles: NHTSA's count of potentially affected vehicles in the whole campaign, not only the Mitsubishi Lancer. Each campaign page has the defect, risk and fix in NHTSA's words.
Newest record on this page: August 6, 2026. Data: NHTSA recall and owner-complaint files. How these figures are counted