MYRModel Year Report

Mitsubishi Lancer — years to avoid

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

2 model years to avoid, 2 to watch and 4 best bets. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.

Avoid2 years

Caution2 years

Best bets4 years

Complaint history

1996: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1996 1999 2000: 1 complaint, Not enough data 2002: 148 complaints, Avoid 2003: 199 complaints, Avoid 2003 2004: 80 complaints, Recommended 2005: 24 complaints, Not enough data 2006: 37 complaints, Recommended 2007: 2 complaints, Not enough data 2008: 91 complaints, Caution 2008 2009: 98 complaints, Caution 2010: 51 complaints, Recommended 2011: 34 complaints, Recommended 2011 2012: 19 complaints, Not enough data 2013: 5 complaints, Not enough data 2014: 16 complaints, Not enough data 2014 2015: 23 complaints, Not enough data 2016: 30 complaints, Recommended 2017: 6 complaints, Not enough data 2017 2003 · 199
1996: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1996 1998 2000: 1 complaint, Not enough data 2000 2002: 148 complaints, Avoid 2003: 199 complaints, Avoid 2003 2004: 80 complaints, Recommended 2005: 24 complaints, Not enough data 2006: 37 complaints, Recommended 2006 2007: 2 complaints, Not enough data 2008: 91 complaints, Caution 2008 2009: 98 complaints, Caution 2010: 51 complaints, Recommended 2010 2011: 34 complaints, Recommended 2012: 19 complaints, Not enough data 2012 2013: 5 complaints, Not enough data 2014: 16 complaints, Not enough data 2014 2015: 23 complaints, Not enough data 2016: 30 complaints, Recommended 2016 2017: 6 complaints, Not enough data 2003 · 199
1996: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000: 1 complaint, Not enough data 2000 2001 2002: 148 complaints, Avoid 2002 2003: 199 complaints, Avoid 2003 2004: 80 complaints, Recommended 2004 2005: 24 complaints, Not enough data 2005 2006: 37 complaints, Recommended 2006 2007: 2 complaints, Not enough data 2007 2008: 91 complaints, Caution 2008 2009: 98 complaints, Caution 2009 2010: 51 complaints, Recommended 2010 2011: 34 complaints, Recommended 2011 2012: 19 complaints, Not enough data 2012 2013: 5 complaints, Not enough data 2013 2014: 16 complaints, Not enough data 2014 2015: 23 complaints, Not enough data 2015 2016: 30 complaints, Recommended 2016 2017: 6 complaints, Not enough data 2017 2003 · 199
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Recommended
  • Not enough data

Every year, ranked

Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.

YearRankingComplaintsCompared with a typical year
2017 ○ Not enough data 6 Only 6 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2016 ▲ Recommended 30 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2015 ○ Not enough data 23 Only 23 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2014 ○ Not enough data 16 Only 16 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2013 ○ Not enough data 5 Only 5 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2012 ○ Not enough data 19 Only 19 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2011 ▲ Recommended 34 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2010 ▲ Recommended 51 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2009 ◆ Caution 98 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2008 ◆ Caution 91 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2007 ○ Not enough data 2 Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2006 ▲ Recommended 37 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2005 ○ Not enough data 24 Only 24 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2004 ● Recommended 80 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2003 ■ Avoid 199 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2002 ■ Avoid 148 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2001 No NHTSA records on file — this model year may not have been sold, or no complaints, recalls or investigations were ever filed against it.
2000 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1997–1999 No NHTSA records on file — this model year may not have been sold, or no complaints, recalls or investigations were ever filed against it.
1996 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
How the rankings work

Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.

  • ▲ Recommended

    At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.

  • ● Recommended

    Within 30% of the model’s typical year.

  • ◆ Caution

    30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.

  • ■ Avoid

    More than double the complaints of the typical year.

  • ○ Not enough data

    Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.

Recalls

19

recalls on file across every Mitsubishi Lancer model year.

Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.

Other Mitsubishi models