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U.S. public vehicle records

2010 Mitsubishi LANCER problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

51 owner complaints analyzed

6 distinct recall campaigns

70,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2010 model year. Data snapshot: . 23 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 51 complaints (25.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior917.6%
Electrical and battery issues611.8%
Transmission and shifting47.8%
Steering behavior35.9%
Engine operation23.9%
Fuel system concerns12.0%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Engine
13
Engine And Engine Cooling
8
Electrical System
5
Unknown Or Other
5
Exterior Lighting
4
Power Train
4
Service Brakes
4
Steering
3
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine13
Engine And Engine Cooling8
Electrical System5
Unknown Or Other5
Exterior Lighting4
Power Train4
Service Brakes4
Steering3

Engine: 13; Engine And Engine Cooling: 8; Electrical System: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Exterior Lighting: 4; Power Train: 4; Service Brakes: 4; Steering: 3

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
6
25,000 to 49,999
5
50,000 to 74,999
2
75,000 to 99,999
2
100,000 to 149,999
4
150,000 and above
4
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0006
25,000 to 49,9995
50,000 to 74,9992
75,000 to 99,9992
100,000 to 149,9994
150,000 and above4

Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 4

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 28 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2010
2
2011
1
2012
4
2013
2
2014
14
2015
7
2016
5
2017
5
2018
2
2019
3
2020
3
2021
1
2022
1
2023
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20102
20111
20124
20132
201414
20157
20165
20175
20182
20193
20203
20211
20221
20231

2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2012: 4; 2013: 2; 2014: 14; 2015: 7; 2016: 5; 2017: 5; 2018: 2; 2019: 3; 2020: 3; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 1

Pattern summary

Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10392356 · 2011-03-21 (March 21, 2011)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT WAS A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE AS THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 35 MPH. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED TO ATTEMPT A TURN BUT DID NOT RESPOND AND THE DRIVER ENGAGED THE PARKING BRAKE. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO A GUARDRAIL ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, DAMAGING THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT ARM, RIGHT LEG AND FOREHEAD. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE ARMS, LEGS AND NECK. EMERGENCY MEDICAL PERSONNEL ARRIVED TO TREAT THE INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT …

Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10392356 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10456263 · 2012-04-23 (April 23, 2012)

ABOVE UNIT IS HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS. THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT. VEHICLE IS NOT SLOWING DOWN AS QUICKLY AS IT SHOULD BE. A WARNING DISPLAY APPEARS IN THE DASH INDICATING THAT SERVICE IS REQUIRED.THIS PROBLEM WAS DETECTED BY A LOCAL AUTHORIZED DEALER. I WAS TOLD THE REPAIR PART IS UNDER WARRANTY; THEY PLACED AN ORDER AND NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKER SO FAR. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10456263 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10672306 · 2015-01-13 (January 13, 2015)

ALL ELECTRICAL SHUTS OFF WHEN CAR TURNS ON. "CHECK!" AND "SERVICE ENGINE!" NOTIFICATIONS APPEAR IN DASH, BUT DISAPPEAR WITHIN SECONDS. CAR CAN BE IDLE OR MOVING WHILE ELECTRICAL PANEL SHUTS OFF. BROUGHT CAR TO MITSUBISHI FOR DIAGNOSIS, SHOWED THEM A VIDEO OF THE DASH AND HEADLIGHTS TURNING OFF AS IF CAR IS STALLING, WHILE RPMS DO NOT REACH ZERO. THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM AND SAID I WILL LIKELY PAY A LOT OF MONEY TO HAVE IT LOOKED INTO AND FIXED, BECAUSE THEY WILL HAVE TO TROUBLE SHOOT ON MY DOLLAR. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN …

Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10672306 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10885147 · 2016-07-15 (July 15, 2016)

THE RIGHT, REAR TAIL LIGHTS WORK OFF AND ON. HAVE CHECKED THE FUSES, BULBS AND WIRING. CANNOT PASS SAFETY DUE TO THIS PROBLEM ALTHOUGH THE BRAKE LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL WORK FINE. DID NOT NOTICE THIS UNTIL A FEW WEEKS AGO.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10885147 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10490039 · 2012-12-25 (December 25, 2012)

FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 12/6/10 WHEN THE CAR HAD 11,000 MILES ON IT. SOMETIMES WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL, THE ENGINE REVS UP BUT THE CAR DOESN'T MOVE. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 25 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER 2009. THE VEHICLE ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED TO MITSUBISHI CORPORATE AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN IN TO DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTERS SEVERAL TIMES. THE SERVICE CENTERS ADMIT TO KNOWING WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BUT WON'T FIX IT UNLESS THE CAR ACTS UP WHEN THEY TEST DRIVE IT. MITSUBISHI FINALLY AGREED TO TAKE MY CAR IN …

Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10490039 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10691344 · 2015-03-01 (March 1, 2015)

THERE WAS NO INCIDENT. I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM MITSUBISHI FOR THE RECALL. THE PROBLEM IS/WAS MITSUBISHI DIDN'T MAKE EASY FOR THE CONSUMER TO HAVE THE RECALL ISSUE FIXED. MY DEALER (GLENDALE MITSUBISHI) SAID THEY DON'T DO RECALLS ON SATURDAYS. SO MYSELF AND FOUR OTHER CONSUMERS GOT TOLD THEY DON'T DO RECALLS ON SATURDAYS. IT WAS DONE THERE IS ALSO A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION, I DON'T REMEMBER FOR WHAT. I RECEIVED A LETTER SAYING NOTHING WOULD BE DONE UNLESS SOMETHING BROKE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10691344 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10359990 · 2010-10-11 (October 11, 2010)

AFTER ABOUT 6 WEEKS USE, SUN VISORS IN MY NEW 2010 MITSUBISHI LANCER MALFUNCTION DURING USE, DRIFTING DOWNWARD OBSTRUCTING FORWARD VISION. VISORS WERE REPLACED AT DEALER. AFTER 4 TO 6 WEEKS, AGAIN THE NEW VISORS DRIFT DOWNWARD WHEN IN USE, OBSTRUCTING VISION. WHEN DRIVING TOWARD THE SUN, DRIVER MUST HAVE ONE HAND HOLDING THE VISOR IN POSITION AND OTHER HAND ON STEERING WHEEL - DANGEROUS TO SHIFT GEARS OR USE TURN SIGNALS. AT THIS POINT MITSUBISHI SEEMS UNINTERESTED IN FIXING THE PROBLEM. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10359990 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10444110 · 2012-01-17 (January 17, 2012)

I BELIEVE THE OUTER TIE RODS ON 2008-2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER (ALL MODELS) ARE DEFECTIVE. I HAD THE PASS SIDE FAIL AT 20K MILES., WHICH WAS REPLACED BY DEALER. IT TOOK OVER A YEAR OF DIAGNOSIS, INCREASED NOISES, AND EVENTUAL UNSAFE HANDLING BEFORE THE SECOND ONE- DRIVERS SIDE WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED, THIS TIME BY AN INDEPENDENT SHOP. I HAD TO PERSONALLY PAY TO HAVE THE SECOND ONE REPLACED BECAUSE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO REPRODUCE AND REPLACE AFTER NUMEROUS INQUIRIES. I HAVE VIDEO OF THE BALL JOINT UPON REMOVAL FROM THE IDLER ARM,…

Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10444110 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11485374 · 2022-09-20 (September 20, 2022)

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. It’s very dangerous due to the fact that the cars loosing power while you’re driving. It doesn’t matter if you’re 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 c…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11485374 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10466886 · 2012-07-21 (July 21, 2012)

WHILE DRIVING HOME IN 100 DEGREE WEATHER WITH A 3/4 FULL GAS TANK THERE WAS SUDDENLY A STRONG FUEL SMELL COMING FROM THE FRONT AIR CONDITIONING VENTS. THE A/C SYSTEM WAS IN RECIRCULATE MODE. THE SMELL WAS SO STRONG THAT I STARTED TO GET DIZZY. I OPENED ALL THE WINDOWS AND PULLED OVER AT MY FIRST CHANCE TO LOOK FOR A LEAK. I DID NOT FIND ANY LEAKS IN THE ENGINE BAY OR UNDERNEATH THE CAR. I WAS ALMOST HOME SO I STARTED THE CAR TO PROCEEDED HOME. WHILE DRIVING I SMELLED THE GAS FUMES AGAIN, THIS TIME I TURN THE A/C SYSTEM TO FRESH AIR AND THE SMEL…

Owner-reported narrative. 25,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10466886 at NHTSA ↗