AI Damage2015 Mitsubishi Lancer: common problems
Owners of the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer filed 23 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 23
- involving a crash
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 26% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 22% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 22% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 17% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 9% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 9% of all complaints
- 7 Visibility 9% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 4% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 6 complaints (26% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 5 complaints (22% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 5 complaints (22% of all).
- Engine: 4 complaints (17% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 2 complaints (9% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- CVTnamed in 1 complaints
- dual-clutch (DCT), 6-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 23 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 6 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
'takata recall' I ran into a tree at 55mph and hit a tree. When I hit the tree the airbags did not deploy.
Son was driving vehicle rear ended a vehicle, at 35 mph, rolled mitsubishi 8 to 9 times, sled on roof about 50 feet before coming to a stop up side down. Airbags never deployed. Not even when the tow truck flipped car right side up.
The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained minor injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
The headlights on the 15 lancer are ridiculously dim! I purchased my 15 lancer in october 15 and hit two deer within two months of having it! I had never hit anything since I started driving, over 8 years now, and all of a sudden when I get the lancer, I hit not one, but two deer! Something isn't right!
Needs a new motor. I know other 2015 Mitsubishi lancers were recalled for the same reason and this one should be also.
The rear crossmember subframe is rusted out very badly, and has all the rear axel and components attached to it. This is very unacceptable for car that cost nearly 40 grand.
About 3 weeks ago I notice that the driver seat belt didnât wanted to click to fasten the seat belt. I notice for sometime now that the car sometimes. Kind of stall then you have to step on the gas pedal to proceed and Iâm afraid someone will hit me from the back because it doesnât go when itâs suppose to also…
Without any prior warning lights or issues with the car. While i drove to work, about 10-15 miles away or 20 min drive, i came to a stop at a red light and when it turned green the car could not get into 2nd gear and would juts rev mostly in place. First gear didnt really have any pull.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 7,735 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 21% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Lancer has 48 complaints (18 years in the data). This year has 23, below average.
What to check before buying
- 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.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, air bags, powertrain. Total complaints: 23. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: stalls while driving (22%), airbags did not deploy (13%), rust, corrosion (13%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2015 models
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 2026-11-05.