Are Mitsubishis Reliable? Mitsubishi Reliability by Model
Across the 6 most-documented Mitsubishi models, CarWhere's analysis of 2,965 NHTSA complaints finds 4 carry at least one model year to avoid; the cleanest federal records belong to the Lancer Sportback and Mirage. Counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume. Data as of July 2026.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall campaigns · Data as of July 2026 · How we rate model years
2,965 NHTSA complaints
model years flagged on federal data
Lancer Sportback and Mirage
What Mitsubishi owners report most
The vehicle systems drawing the most federal service-bulletin activity across the 6 Mitsubishi models we analyze — a signal of where problems concentrate.
Mitsubishi reliability by model
| Model | Complaints | Years to avoid | Best years | Worst year vs. its avg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Outlander | 1,248 | 2011, 2015, 2016, 2022 and 2023 | — | 8.5× |
| Mitsubishi Outlander Sport | 870 | 2015 and 2016 | 2018 and 2021 | 4.2× |
| Mitsubishi Lancer | 454 | 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 | 2012 and 2014 | 3.2× |
| Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution | 240 | 2008 and 2010 | — | 2.3× |
| Mitsubishi Mirage | 134 | None | — | — |
| Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback | 19 | None | — | — |
Counts are raw federal filings (NHTSA owner complaints), not adjusted for sales volume. A model year is flagged when its severity-weighted complaint rate is among the highest within that model's own history — never a comparison against other brands. Follow any model for its full year-by-year verdict. Full methodology.
Where Mitsubishi owners report the most trouble
Mitsubishi Outlander: 5 model years flagged to avoid (2011, 2015, 2016, 2022 and 2023) — the worst logged up to 8.5× the model's own average complaint rate. See the year-by-year verdict →
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: 2 model years flagged to avoid (2015 and 2016) — the worst logged up to 4.2× the model's own average complaint rate. See the year-by-year verdict →
Mitsubishi Lancer: 4 model years flagged to avoid (2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011) — the worst logged up to 3.2× the model's own average complaint rate. See the year-by-year verdict →
Cleanest Mitsubishi records: the Lancer Sportback and Mirage carry no model year flagged to avoid in the current federal data.
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FAQ
Are Mitsubishis reliable?
Mitsubishi reliability varies sharply by model and year, not by brand. Across the 6 most-documented Mitsubishi models, 4 carry at least one model year we flag to avoid on NHTSA complaint and recall data. The Lancer Sportback and Mirage carry no year we flag to avoid. These are raw federal complaint counts, not adjusted for how many vehicles Mitsubishi sold, so they can't be read as a single cross-brand reliability score — use the per-model verdicts below.
What is the most reliable Mitsubishi?
Among the Mitsubishi models we analyze, the Lancer Sportback and Mirage carry no model year flagged to avoid in the current federal data — the cleanest records in the lineup. Reliability still comes down to the specific model year, so check the year-by-year verdict before buying.
Which Mitsubishi models have the most years to avoid?
The Mitsubishi models carrying the most flagged years are the Outlander (5 years flagged, worst up to 8.5× its own average), the Outlander Sport (2 years flagged, worst up to 4.2× its own average), the Lancer (4 years flagged, worst up to 3.2× its own average). A flag means that model year has one of the highest severity-weighted complaint rates within that model's own history — it is not a comparison against other brands.
How do I check a specific Mitsubishi before buying?
Start with the free Mitsubishi window sticker lookup at carwhere.com/window-sticker/mitsubishi to confirm the exact trim and factory options, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for that VIN — it includes the recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for the exact model year plus a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & data notes
All figures are drawn from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Office of Defects Investigation — owner-filed complaints and recall campaigns — across the 6 most-documented Mitsubishi models and every model year on record for each. Retrieved July 2026. Counts are raw federal filings and are not adjusted for the number of vehicles sold or registered, so they cannot be read as a single cross-brand reliability ranking; each model year's verdict compares it only against the rest of that model's own history. Full scoring at the methodology page.