Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Transmission Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Yes. 98 of the 240 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008–2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (40.8%) name the transmission, 3.2× the median share across the 139 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2008 and 2010.
Transmission complaints
98
Filed with NHTSA, 2008–2015 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
40.8%
of 240 complaints for this model
Transmission recalls
1
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution transmission complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline). Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Transmission complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Transmission recalls | Transmission TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008WORST | 40 | 67.8% | 0 | 13V446000 | 14 |
| 2009 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 13V446000 | 13 |
| 2010WORST | 24 | 30.4% | 1 | 13V446000 | 14 |
| 2011 | 13 | 28.9% | 0 | 13V446000 | 16 |
| 2012 | 2 | 66.7% | 0 | 13V446000 | 13 |
| 2013 | 2 | 50% | 0 | 13V446000 | 13 |
| 2014 | 9 | 40.9% | 2 | — | 10 |
| 2015 | 8 | 30.8% | 0 | — | 9 |
- 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 transmission.
Common Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution transmission problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 98 transmission complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution years to avoid for the transmission
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
40 transmission complaints (67.8% of the year's 59). Most often described: loss of power or limp mode. Covered by transmission recall 13V446000.
2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
24 transmission complaints (30.4% of the year's 79). Most often described: slipping or revving without accelerating. Covered by transmission recall 13V446000.
Worst years are those with at least 10 transmission 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 Evolution years to avoid.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution transmission recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Power Train for any Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 13V446000 · 2013-09-19 · 2008–2013 models
In the affected vehicles, the clutch master cylinder can fail.
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 40 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, 67.8% of all 59 complaints for that year. The most common description is "loss of power or limp mode" (2 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 13V446000.
Does the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 24 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, 30.4% of all 79 complaints for that year. The most common description is "slipping or revving without accelerating" (2 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 13V446000. 1 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Which Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution years have the most transmission complaints?
2008 (40), 2010 (24) and 2011 (13), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the transmission. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution transmission problems?
In the 98 transmission complaints, owners most often describe hesitation or delayed engagement (7.1%), whining, grinding or humming noise (7.1%) and loss of power or limp mode (6.1%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a transmission 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 Evolution model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a transmission complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline).
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 transmission 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