The most serious Lancer Evolution recall is for passenger frontal air bag inflators that can rupture: 17V-569 covers 2004–2006 Lancer and Lancer Evolution models, with 16V-334 for 2006–2007. Evolution X owners should check the 2008–2013 clutch master cylinder recall (13V-446) and the 2008–2009 fuel return pipe campaign.
CarWhere lists 10 documented Lancer Evolution issues, including 10 NHTSA safety recalls, each with affected years, powertrains, symptoms, pre-purchase checks and a source. Recall entries come from NHTSA's recall dataset on the DOT open-data portal, which may not list every campaign, so run the specific VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup.
Evolution X Lancer Evolution problems (2008–2015)
Clutch master cylinder may fail (recall 13V-446) (2008–2013)
Safety recall- Generation:
- Evolution X (2008–2015) – 2008–2013
- Years:
- 2008–2013
- Powertrain:
- Manual-transmission models
The clutch master cylinder on 2008–2013 Lancer Evolutions built December 2007 to March 2013 can fail, making it hard to shift into or out of gear. The campaign covers 10,474 vehicles; dealers replace the master cylinder.
Symptoms
- Soft or sinking clutch pedal
- Difficulty selecting gears
Check before buying
- Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
- Ask the seller for the dealer repair order showing the recall work
NHTSA recall: 13V446000 (2013-09) · 10,474 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [1][2]
Fuel return pipe may crack (recall 09V-349) (2008–2009)
Safety recall- Generation:
- Evolution X (2008–2015) – 2008–2009
- Years:
- 2008–2009
- Powertrain:
- All
On 2008–2009 Lancer Evolution, Lancer Ralliart and Sportback Ralliart models with turbocharged engines, resonance at certain engine speeds may crack the fuel return pipe over time. The campaign covers 6,903 vehicles across those models.
Symptoms
- Fuel smell in the engine bay
Check before buying
- Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
- Ask the seller for the dealer repair order showing the recall work
NHTSA recall: 09V349000 (2009-09) · 6,903 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [3][2]
Front air bag sensors may corrode (recall 09V-435) (2008–2009)
Safety recall- Generation:
- Evolution X (2008–2015) – 2008–2009
- Years:
- 2008–2009
- Powertrain:
- All
In road-salt states, salt spray can coat and corrode the front impact sensors of 2008–2009 Lancer and Lancer Evolution models, which could delay air bag deployment. The campaign covers 29,353 vehicles across those models; dealers install more corrosion-resistant sensors.
Check before buying
- Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
- Ask the seller for the dealer repair order showing the recall work
NHTSA recall: 09V435000 (2009-11) · 29,353 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [4][2]
Parking brake cable may wear the fuel tank (recall 15V-546) (2014–2015)
Safety recall- Generation:
- Evolution X (2008–2015) – 2014–2015
- Years:
- 2014–2015
- Powertrain:
- All
The right parking brake cable on some 2014–2015 Lancer Evolution and Lancer Ralliart models can rub away the fuel tank coating, letting the tank rust and leak. The campaign covers 1,497 vehicles; dealers replace the cable and, if damaged, the tank.
Symptoms
- Fuel smell or a wet spot near the rear of the car
Check before buying
- Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
- Ask the seller for the dealer repair order showing the recall work
NHTSA recall: 15V546000 (2015-08) · 1,497 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [5][2]
Defective relays may cause stalling or overheating (recall 17V-609) (2015)
Safety recall- Generation:
- Evolution X (2008–2015) – 2015
- Years:
- 2015
- Powertrain:
- All
Defective relays can cause an engine stall, reduced power or overheating on 2015 Lancer Evolutions, along with 2015–2017 Outlander and 2015–2016 Lancer and Outlander Sport models, about 132,552 vehicles across those models. Dealers replace the relays.
Symptoms
- Sudden stall or loss of power
- Rising engine temperature
Check before buying
- Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
- Ask the seller for the dealer repair order showing the recall work
NHTSA recall: 17V609000 (2017-09) · 132,552 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [6][2]
Engine drive belt may detach (recall 14V-562) (2008–2011)
Safety recall- Generation:
- Evolution X (2008–2015) – 2008–2011
- Years:
- 2008–2011
- Powertrain:
- 2.0L turbo 4B11
Worn pulleys on 4B1-series engines can let the accessory belt come off on 2008–2011 Lancer Evolution and other Lancer, Outlander and Outlander Sport models, about 165,923 vehicles across those models, discharging the battery and possibly stalling the engine.
Symptoms
- Belt squeal
- Battery warning light
Check before buying
- Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
- Ask the seller for the dealer repair order showing the recall work
NHTSA recall: 14V562000 (2014-09) · 165,923 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [7][2]
Sunroof glass may detach (recall 18V-071) (2009–2010)
Safety recall- Generation:
- Evolution X (2008–2015) – 2009–2010
- Years:
- 2009–2010
- Powertrain:
- All
On 2009–2010 Lancer Evolutions with sunroofs, the glass may separate from the sunroof assembly. The campaign covers 56,641 vehicles across the Lancer and Outlander models it includes.
Symptoms
- Wind noise or movement at the sunroof edge
Check before buying
- Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
- Ask the seller for the dealer repair order showing the recall work
NHTSA recall: 18V071000 (2018-01) · 56,641 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [8][2]
Lights, wipers or blower motor may fail (recalls 15V-232, 15V-233) (2010–2011)
Safety recall- Generation:
- Evolution X (2008–2015) – 2010–2011
- Years:
- 2010–2011
- Powertrain:
- All
An unstable control unit can cut headlights, taillights and wipers on 2010 Lancer Evolutions (15V-232, 53,396 vehicles across models), and the blower motor may fail on 2010–2011 models (15V-233, 76,958 vehicles across models).
Symptoms
- Intermittent headlights or wipers
- Weak defroster airflow
Check before buying
- Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
- Ask the seller for the dealer repair order showing the recall work
NHTSA recall: 15V232000 (2015-04) · 53,396 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [9][10][2]
Evolution VIII and IX Lancer Evolution problems (2003–2006)
Passenger frontal air bag inflator may rupture (recalls 17V-569, 16V-334) (2004–2006)
Safety recall- Generation:
- Evolution VIII and IX (2003–2006) – 2004–2006
- Years:
- 2004–2006
- Powertrain:
- All
Passenger frontal air bag inflators in 2004–2006 Lancer and Lancer Evolution models may degrade with moisture, heat and humidity and rupture in a crash, throwing metal fragments. Recall 17V-569 covers 66,001 vehicles across those models and 16V-334 covers 2006–2007 models (38,628). Dealers replace the inflator.
Symptoms
- No warning sign before deployment; the only way to know is the recall record
Check before buying
- Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
- Ask the seller for the dealer repair order showing the recall work
NHTSA recall: 17V569000 (2017-09) · 66,001 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [11][12][2]
Front lower control arm may detach after crossmember corrosion (recall 16V-458) (2003–2006)
Safety recall- Generation:
- Evolution VIII and IX (2003–2006) – 2003–2006
- Years:
- 2003–2006
- Powertrain:
- All
In road-salt states, the front crossmember of 2003–2006 Lancer Evolutions, along with Lancer and Outlander models, may corrode until a lower control arm detaches. The campaign covers about 194,674 vehicles across those models.
Symptoms
- Clunking from the front suspension
- Heavy rust on the front crossmember
Check before buying
- Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
- Ask the seller for the dealer repair order showing the recall work
NHTSA recall: 16V458000 (2016-06) · 194,674 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [13][2]