2010 Mitsubishi Lancer
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2002 | 148 |
| 2003 | 199 |
| 2004 | 80 |
| 2005 | 24 |
| 2006 | 37 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 91 |
| 2009 | 98 |
| 2010 | 51 |
| 2011 | 34 |
| 2012 | 19 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 16 |
| 2015 | 23 |
| 2016 | 29 |
| 2017 | 6 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
25% of complaints: engine — 13 distinct reports on file.
FIRE16% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 8 distinct reports on file.
10% of complaints: electrical system — 5 distinct reports on file.
8% of complaints: service brakes — 4 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
MY ABS AND ASC LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ON FOR A WHILE. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD IT WASNT A PROBLEM, JUST A FAULTY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
NHTSA ODI report, 20200503
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130613
8% of complaints: power train — 4 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 12/6/10 WHEN THE CAR HAD 11,000 MILES ON IT. SOMETIMES WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL, THE ENGINE REVS UP BUT THE CAR DOESN'T MOVE. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 25 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER 2009.
NHTSA ODI report, 20121225
SAFETY TIMELINE
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Lancer, Lancer Evolution, and Outlander; 2009-2011 Lancer Sportback, Lancer Rilliart, and Lancer Sportback Ralliart; and 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the drive belt with a rubber belt. Drive pulleys that are excessively worn will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 15, 2014.
Campaign 14V562000 — check if this car was fixed
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace a suspect blower motor, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-15-003.
Campaign 15V233000 — check if this car was fixed
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected ECU, free of charge. The recall began on June 15 ,2015. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-15-002.
Campaign 15V232000 — check if this car was fixed
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Outlander, 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Evolution, and 2010 Lancer Sportback vehicles equipped with sunroofs.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sunroof glass assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-003.
Campaign 18V071000 — check if this car was fixed
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Lancer, 2008-2012 Outlander, 2010-2012 Lancer Sportback, and 2011-2012 Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with either a 4B11 or 4B12 engine.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the belt tensioner with one that has an improved shape, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820.
Campaign 18V069000 — check if this car was fixed
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied or the front cross member will be replaced with a new one.
Campaign 20V279000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2010 Mitsubishi Lancer — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine issues (13 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (8 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (5 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 14V562000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V233000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V232000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V071000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V069000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V279000 (structure, suspension) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.