AI DamageMitsubishi Lancer: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Mitsubishi Lancer across 2 model years: 36 owner complaints and 48 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 64% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 11% of all complaints
- 4 Vehicle speed control 11% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 8% of all complaints
- 6 Engine 8% of all complaints
- 7 Visibility 6% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 3% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 23 complaints (64% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 29.
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 18.
- Air bags: 4 complaints (11% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Vehicle speed control: 4 complaints (11% of all).
- Structure: 3 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.6 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2002–2003
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2002–2017
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2003–2015
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2004–2017named in 1 complaints
- automatic, 4-speed 2002–2007
- automatic, 6-speed 2008–2009
- CVT 2008–2017named in 6 complaints
- dual-clutch (DCT), 6-speed 2010–2015
- manual, 5-speed 2002–2017
- manual, 6-speed 2005–2006
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 36 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 23 | 0 | 29 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 18 |
| Air bags | 4 | 2 | 4 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 33 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 4 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I was in 2 auto accidents within the same vehicle within the last month and the airbags didn't deploy either time.
During the accident the air bags did not deploy. Resulted in injuries, of course. The car was making left handed turn from residential area onto a busy main street. And the other vehicle was not paying attention and hit the car while it was trying to turn. The car was going approximately 15-20 mph.
I bought the car with 30,000 on it in 2016 and it has a hair over 136,000 and ever since I’ve had it it’s always had this transmission lag jerk in it. Very scuttle but you can feel it. Then all of a sudden it just started going into limp mode, hi low hi low rev, jerking and couldn’t get over 30 mph.
Recently the transmission has started to shudder when first driving from a stop. It only happens under low acceleration. If you push the accelerator pedel firmly it will not shudder. Wondering if this is a recall about to happen? It started on or about 4/2/2025 but is continuing to happen.
Loss of power on acceleration, rpms going up and down, hesitation in acceleration, going into limp mode won't accelerate over 25-40mph pulled code P084A shop believes it needs a complete replacement based on their computer systems repair procedures guidelines. Car has just over 107k miles on it and is a pre-owned.
I've had the vehicle for 7 years and after inspection performed by the dealer, there is so much subframe rot that my car will not pass the next inspection due in April. I've contacted Mitsubishi and they said there is nothing they can do as there isn't any recall.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Tech Talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers
- Service Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin provides corrections to the description of…
- Service Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin instructs dealers to diagnose and test drive…
- Service Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin instructs dealers to diagnose and test drive…
- Service Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin provides the procedure for diagnostic trouble…
- This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 3rd…
- This Technical Service Bulletin provides service manual corrections to the CVT maintenance procedure
- This Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of…
- This Technical Service Bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the reduction in load…
- This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 2nd…
- This Technical Service Bulletin contains technical information and troubleshooting for the accessory…
- This is a Technical Information Notice informing dealers and parts managers about possible causes after a…
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.