2010 Mitsubishi LANCER: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 51 complaints (25.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 9 | 17.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 11.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 7.8% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 5.9% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 3.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.0% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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: 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 10364300 · 2010-11-06 (November 6, 2010)
LOW TIRE PRESSURE COMES ON CONSTANTLY, FIRST THEY FOUND A WIRE ON THE RIGHT BACK TIER, I HAD A NEW TIER PUT ON, THEN SENSOR CAME BACK ON THEY FOUND THAT THE SENSOR WAS LEAKING FROM THE NEW TIRE HAD THAT FIX, WENT BACK 4 DAYS LATER THEY FOUND THE SENSOR LEAKING AGAIN. HAD THAT REPAIR. I HAVE PICTURES ON MY CELL PHONE WHEN SENSOR LIGHT TURNS ON. DATES 10-15-10, 10-18-10, 10-23-10,10-27-10, 10-28-10, 10-29-10, 11-05-10. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN OCTOBER 2009 PROBLEM STARTED IN APRIL 2010. THE MANAGER AT THE SHOP SAID THE SENSOR WILL PROBABLY NEED AIR AG…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,322 miles reported. Look up ODI 10364300 at NHTSA ↗
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 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 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 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 ↗
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 10512745 · 2013-05-19 (May 19, 2013)
"4WD SYSTEM SERVICE REQUIRED" WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND THAT THE ACD PUMP HAVE FAILED. PAID $3,000 BECAUSE IT'S NOT A WARRANTY PART. WENT ONLINE TO FIND OUT THAT OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM GOING AS FAR BACK AS 2005. IT WAS A DESIGN ISSUE WITH THE ACD PUMP WHERE THE SEAL SHRINKS DURING WINTER ALLOWING DEBRIS TO ENTER THE ACD PUMP SYSTEM. DURING THE SUMMER, THE SEAL EXPAND TRAPPING THE DEBRIS WITHIN CAUSING REGULAR FAILURE OF THE PUMP EVERY 30,000 TO 40,000 MILES. CONSIDERING THEY'VE USED THE PUMP SINCE 2005,…
Owner-reported narrative. 32,234 miles reported. Look up ODI 10512745 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
14V562000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
Reported: 2014-09-12 (September 12, 2014)
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.
Consequence: If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V232000 · Electrical System
Reported: 2015-04-20 (April 20, 2015)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V233000 · Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Fan/Motor
Reported: 2015-04-20 (April 20, 2015)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V069000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
Reported: 2018-01-26 (January 26, 2018)
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.
Consequence: If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V071000 · Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Reported: 2018-01-26 (January 26, 2018)
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.
Consequence: If the sunroof glass detaches from the assembly while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V279000 · Structure:Frame And Members | Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm
Reported: 2020-05-18 (May 18, 2020)
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.
Consequence: A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗