Model year record

2010 Mitsubishi Lancer recalls & problems

The 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer has 6 safety recalls and 51 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (13 complaints).

Recalls6safety recalls

Complaints51filed by owners

Crashes · fires5 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths4 · 0reported in complaints

2010 Mitsubishi Lancer in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

StructureMay 18, 2020

Frame and members

Recall 20V279000141,200 vehicles

Problem: 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.
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.

Components: Structure › Frame and members; Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm

VisibilityJan 26, 2018

Sun/moon roof assembly

Recall 18V07100056,641 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Engine and engine coolingJan 26, 2018

Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys

Recall 18V069000141,053 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Electrical systemApr 20, 2015

Electrical system

Recall 15V23200053,396 vehicles

Problem: 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.
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.

VisibilityApr 20, 2015

Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Fan/motor

Recall 15V23300076,958 vehicles

Problem: 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.
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 coolingSep 12, 2014

Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys

Recall 14V562000165,923 vehicles

Problem: 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.
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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2010 Mitsubishi Lancer 4-DR w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	12.1%

2010 Mitsubishi Lancer NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Lancer

26mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 30 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AV-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

Lancer

25mpg combined

City / highway	22 / 31 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel

Lancer

25mpg combined

City / highway	22 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AV-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel

Lancer

23mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Lancer

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AM6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine	13	0	1	0	93,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	8	0	0	0	—
Electrical system	5	0	0	0	—
Unknown or other	5	0	0	0	—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer › Motor; Power window devices and controls	4	0	0	0	—
Power train	4	1	0	0	33,000 mi
Service brakes	4	2	0	0	115,000 mi
Exterior lighting	4	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Abs warning light	3	1	0	2	—
Steering	3	1	0	0	—
Air bags	2	1	0	2	—
Visibility/wiper	2	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

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.
Aug 2, 2023
Electrical system
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. Itâs very dangerous due to the fact that the cars loosing power while youâre driving. It doesnât matter if youâre in the middle of the highway it will just stop working. All research I have done points to an error within the computer that tells the car when to cool down the transmission. I have seen many blogs, forums and actually know another Lancer owner whoâs model is a 2012 and has the exact…
Jul 1, 2018
Power train
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 OTHER ELEMENTS THAT HARM THE PUMP. THIS SHOULD HAVE A RECALL FROM MITSUBISHI BECAUSE IT FAILED DUE TO A BAD DESIGN AND LOCATION OF IT AND IT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS PROBLEMS FOR DRIVERS SPECIALLY IN BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS, I WILL LIKE THIS CONCERN COULD BE TAKEN IN CONSIDERATION FOR ALL OF US THAT ARE MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION OWNERS, THANKS
Feb 22, 2021
Engine
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, VEHICLE WARNING MESSAGE DOES NOT GO AWAY. WHEN VEHICLE IS MANUALLY SHUT OFF, MESSAGE WILL STILL APPEAR. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED ON TO ELECTRICAL ONLY, MESSAGE WILL STILL APPEAR. AFTER 5 MINUTES OR MORE IN POWER OFF, VEHICLE WILL RESTART LIKE NORMAL, MESSAGE IS CLEARED, AND GAUGES FOR TEMPERATURE AND OIL PRESSURE IS NORMAL RANGE. NO ERROR CODES…
Jun 11, 2016 · 161,000 miles
Visibility/wiper
THE MITSUBISHI DEALER TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T FIX ONE OF THE RECALLS BECAUSE IT WAS AN "AFTER MARKET PART". *TR
Jun 8, 2020
Service brakesCrash
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 WOULDNT TURN.
Apr 7, 2019 · 115,000 miles
Engine
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 WAY THAT EFFECTS THE PERFORMANCE THAT COULD CAUSE SUCH A CRACK TO HAPPEN. THIS ALSO APPEARS TO BE THE CASE FOR SEVERAL THOUSAND OTHERS. I HAVE BROUGHT MY VEHICLE INTO MITSUBISHI WHO HAS CONFIRMED THE CRACK AND HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO EXPLAIN TO ME WHY OR HOW THIS HAPPENED. I HAVE BEEN TOLD FROM MY LOCAL MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP AND THE NEXT CLOSEST ONE THAT…
Jun 23, 2019 · 93,000 miles
Service brakes
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 ON THE DASH. WITH THAT FAILURE IT STORES THE CODE AND EVEN AFTER THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE FIX YOU STILL CAN NOT CLEAR THE ABS/BRAKE CODE. THE ONLY FIX TO GET RIDE OF THE LIGHTS AND TO GET YOUR ABS PUMP/MOTOR WORKING AGAIN IS TO REPLACE IT WITH A BRAND NEW UNIT COSTING ALMOST $3,000 DOLLARS TO MITSUBISHI. HEARING FROM OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS…
May 15, 2018 · 200,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.