Best Mitsubishi Lancer Years to Buy
Based on federal NHTSA complaint and recall records, the best Mitsubishi Lancer years to buy are 2012 and 2014 — the lowest severity-weighted complaint rates among years with enough road time to judge, while 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 are the years to skip.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall campaigns · Data as of October 2026 · How we rate model years
Buy these years
Every Mitsubishi Lancer year, ranked by federal record
| Model year | NHTSA complaints | Recalls | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | OK |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | OK |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | OK |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | OK |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | OK |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | OK |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | OK |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | OK |
| 2017 | 6 | 0 | OK |
| 2016 | 29 | 2 | OK |
| 2015 | 26 | 1 | OK |
| 2014 | 23 | 0 | BEST |
| 2013 | 5 | 0 | OK |
| 2012 | 19 | 1 | BEST |
| 2011 | 49 | 3 | AVOID |
| 2010 | 85 | 6 | AVOID |
| 2009 | 121 | 8 | AVOID |
| 2008 | 91 | 5 | AVOID |
Counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume; verdicts are severity-weighted rates per year on the road, compared within the model’s own history.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best year for the Mitsubishi Lancer?
2012 and 2014 — based on federal NHTSA records, they show the lowest severity-weighted complaint rates of any Mitsubishi Lancer model year with meaningful time on the road. Counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume.
Which Mitsubishi Lancer years should I avoid?
2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 — they carry the model's highest severity-weighted complaint rates, led by transmission issues. The full breakdown is on our Mitsubishi Lancer years-to-avoid page.
Is a used Mitsubishi Lancer a good buy?
Year-dependent. Across 454 NHTSA owner complaints on record, the spread between the cleanest and worst Mitsubishi Lancer years is significant — pick from the best-year list, confirm the specific car's history by VIN, and negotiate from what buyers actually paid rather than asking prices.
How do I buy the best Mitsubishi Lancer year for the right price?
Two steps: verify the exact car (free VIN decode, then the recall/complaint record for that VIN), and negotiate the out-the-door price in writing. CarWhere's AI car-buying agent does the second part for you — it contacts dealers about the exact Mitsubishi Lancer you pick, requests written itemized out-the-door quotes, and negotiates them down while you approve every message ($34.99/month, includes Pro pricing data).