Mitsubishi Lancer Engine Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Some, but not unusually many. 102 of the 458 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008–2017 Mitsubishi Lancer (22.3%) name the engine, near the 19.4% median share across the 152 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2009, 2010 and 2008.
Engine complaints
102
Filed with NHTSA, 2008–2017 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
22.3%
of 458 complaints for this model
Engine recalls
2
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Mitsubishi Lancer engine complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Engine and Engine Cooling. Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Engine recalls | Engine TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008WORST | 16 | 17.6% | 1 | 14V562000 | 17 |
| 2009WORST | 30 | 24.8% | 0 | 18V06900014V562000 | 18 |
| 2010WORST | 25 | 29.4% | 2 | 18V06900014V562000 | 22 |
| 2011 | 12 | 24.5% | 0 | 18V06900014V562000 | 25 |
| 2012 | 6 | 26.1% | 1 | 18V069000 | 18 |
| 2013 | 2 | 40% | 0 | — | 19 |
| 2014 | 3 | 13% | 1 | — | 14 |
| 2015 | 5 | 19.2% | 0 | — | 11 |
| 2016 | 3 | 10.3% | 0 | — | 11 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0% | 0 | — | 11 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the engine.
Common Mitsubishi Lancer engine problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 102 engine complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Mitsubishi Lancer years to avoid for the engine
2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
30 engine complaints (24.8% of the year's 121). Most often described: stalling or shutting off while driving. Covered by engine recalls 18V069000, 14V562000.
2010 Mitsubishi Lancer
25 engine complaints (29.4% of the year's 85). Most often described: stalling or shutting off while driving. Covered by engine recalls 18V069000, 14V562000.
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer
16 engine complaints (17.6% of the year's 91). Most often described: oil consumption or oil leaks. Covered by engine recall 14V562000.
Worst years are those with at least 10 engine complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the Mitsubishi Lancer years to avoid.
Mitsubishi Lancer engine recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Engine for any Mitsubishi Lancer model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 18V069000 · 2018-01-26 · 2009–2012 models
The drive belt automatic tensioner flange may crack, allowing the accessory drive belt to detach.
- 14V562000 · 2014-09-12 · 2008–2011 models
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.
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer have engine problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 30 engine complaints with NHTSA for the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer, 24.8% of all 121 complaints for that year. The most common description is "stalling or shutting off while driving" (4 complaints). 2 engine-related recalls cover it: 18V069000, 14V562000.
Does the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer have engine problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 25 engine complaints with NHTSA for the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer, 29.4% of all 85 complaints for that year. The most common description is "stalling or shutting off while driving" (3 complaints). 2 engine-related recalls cover it: 18V069000, 14V562000. 2 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer have engine problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 16 engine complaints with NHTSA for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer, 17.6% of all 91 complaints for that year. The most common description is "oil consumption or oil leaks" (1 complaints). One engine-related recall covers it: 14V562000. 1 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Which Mitsubishi Lancer years have the most engine complaints?
2009 (30), 2010 (25) and 2008 (16), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the engine. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common Mitsubishi Lancer engine problems?
In the 102 engine complaints, owners most often describe stalling or shutting off while driving (13.7%), loss of power or limp mode (4.9%) and engine failure, seizure or replacement (4.9%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a engine failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Mitsubishi Lancer model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a engine complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Engine and Engine Cooling.
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 engine complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration