2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution: Problems & Reliability
TOO FEW REPORTS2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution: TOO FEW REPORTS — 4 owner complaints; top issue: powertrain / transmission (2 complaints).
The verdict engine has only 4 complaints for the 2013 — under the 15-complaint floor — so it is not rated yet rather than called clean by silence.
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints (ODI), recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Model years 2005–2015 compared · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
4
NHTSA complaints
11
Model years compared
78
Service bulletins
1
Recall campaigns
Most-reported 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution problems
Powertrain / transmission dominates the record — 50% of complaints name it.
| Component | Complaints | Share of 2013 complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain / transmission | 2 | 50% |
| Suspension | 1 | 25% |
| Engine | 1 | 25% |
A complaint can name more than one component, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution recalls
1 recall campaign on federal record for the 2013 (reported Sep 19, 2013).
| NHTSA campaign | Reported | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 13V446000 | Sep 19, 2013 | Powertrain / transmission › Manual transmission |
2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 78 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2013 — close to the 72 of the median Lancer Evolution year from 2005 to 2015. Coded bulletins most often cover electrical system (21), powertrain / transmission (13), engine & cooling (12). Bulletins are repair instructions for dealer technicians, not recalls.
The 2013 vs. the year before and after
From the 2012 to the 2013, owner complaints rose 33% (3 → 4). The 2014 that followed jumped 5.5× (4 → 22), so the 2013 is the cleaner of the two by count.
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Lancer Evolution | TOO FEW REPORTS | 3 | 76 | 1 | — |
| 2013 (this page) | TOO FEW REPORTS | 4 | 78 | 1 | — |
| 2014 Lancer Evolution | SOLID | 22 | 65 | 2 | — |
Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution years to avoid.
What to check on a used 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
Powertrain / transmission (2 complaints on the 2013): test-drive from cold through every gear and feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder; ask whether the transmission fluid has been serviced.
Suspension (1 complaint on the 2013): listen for clunks over bumps, look for leaking struts and check for uneven tire wear.
Engine (1 complaint on the 2013): cold-start it yourself and listen for ticking or knocking; check for oil leaks, low coolant and a lit check-engine light, and ask for oil-change records.
Recalls: confirm the campaign above was completed on this VIN.
Know what to pay for the right 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution — then negotiate it
Years-to-avoid tells you which year. Search live listings to see the target price and what verified buyers actually paid for it.
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FAQ
Is the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution reliable?
2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution: TOO FEW REPORTS — 4 owner complaints; top issue: powertrain / transmission (2 complaints). The verdict engine has only 4 complaints for the 2013 — under the 15-complaint floor — so it is not rated yet rather than called clean by silence.
What are the most common 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution problems?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported areas on the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution are powertrain / transmission (2, 50%), suspension (1, 25%), engine (1, 25%). The manufacturer has 78 service bulletins on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution have?
1 recall campaign on federal record for the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, most recently 13V446000 (Sep 19, 2013, powertrain / transmission). Recall completion is VIN-specific, so check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution before buying?
Decode the VIN free at carwhere.com/tools/vin-decoder to confirm the build, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for the exact VIN — recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for this model year, the original window sticker where the manufacturer publishes one, and a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & method
Complaint, recall and service-bulletin counts for the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution come from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation; the verdict is CarWhere’s severity-weighted, time-on-road-adjusted score compared with the model’s own median year. Complaints are owner allegations, not verified defects. Full methodology.