Mitsubishi Years to Avoid by Model
Mitsubishi years to avoid: the 2015 Outlander Sport (231 complaints), 2022 Outlander (208 complaints) and 2009 Lancer (121 complaints) lead the list. 4 of the 6 Mitsubishi models we track have at least one avoid-rated year; the cleanest records include the 2018 Outlander Sport and 2014 Lancer. Based on 2,965 NHTSA owner complaints, rated model year by model year.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, recall campaigns & service bulletins · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
Mitsubishi years to avoid, model by model
| Model | Years to avoid | Best years | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Outlander | 20112015201620222023 | — | 1,248 (2008–2025) |
| Mitsubishi Outlander Sport | 20152016 | 20182021 | 870 (2011–2025) |
| Mitsubishi Lancer | 2008200920102011 | 20122014 | 454 (2008–2025) |
| Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution | 20082010 | — | 240 (2008–2025) |
| Mitsubishi Mirage | None rated avoid | — | 134 (2014–2025) |
| Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback | None rated avoid | — | 19 (2008–2025) |
Verdicts are each model’s own, rated against that model’s history (see the methodology); counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume.
The worst year for each Mitsubishi model
2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: 231 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2015 and 2016 · Full Outlander Sport breakdown →
2022 Mitsubishi Outlander: 208 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2011, 2015, 2016, 2022 and 2023 · Full Outlander breakdown →
2009 Mitsubishi Lancer: 121 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 · Full Lancer breakdown →
2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution: 79 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2008 and 2010 · Full Lancer Evolution breakdown →
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Frequently asked questions
What Mitsubishi years should you avoid?
By model: Outlander 2011, 2015, 2016, 2022 and 2023; Outlander Sport 2015 and 2016; Lancer 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; Lancer Evolution 2008 and 2010. Each verdict matches that model's own years-to-avoid page, built from NHTSA owner-complaint and recall records.
What are the best Mitsubishi years to buy?
The cleanest federal records by model: Outlander Sport 2018 and 2021; Lancer 2012 and 2014.
Which Mitsubishi model has the most years to avoid?
The Mitsubishi Outlander, with 5 avoid-rated model years (2011, 2015, 2016, 2022 and 2023) across 18 years on record (2008–2025).
How are Mitsubishi years to avoid rated?
Each model year's NHTSA owner complaints are weighted for severity, converted to a rate per year on the road, compared with the rest of that model's own history and adjusted for recalls. Full method at /research/years-to-avoid/methodology.
Where does the Mitsubishi data come from?
Federal records: 2,965 NHTSA owner complaints across 6 Mitsubishi models, plus NHTSA recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins filed with NHTSA. Counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume.