Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 85 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer, and it carries 6 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 18 | 21% |
| Engine | 11 | 13% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 8% |
| Unknown or other | 4 | 5% |
| Power train | 4 | 5% |
| Visibility | 3 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 4% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 2 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
While driving the car we began hearing a rattling noise. We took it to the dealer to get it checked. They informed us that the control member was beginning to rust out causing the control arms to become loose. This is th
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The car started flashing a warning sign and loosing power. When trying to accelerate it stops. Eventually it puts the car into a limp mode and will stall altogether. This happens any long distance trip. My car year and m
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
ALL MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION X MODELS ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE AYC ACD PUMPS, THIS AFFECTS THE STABILITY AND THE HANDLING OF THE VEHICLE SPECIALLY IN BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS BECAUSE THE SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY
NHTSA complaint: Steering
WARNING MESSAGE "TOO HOT SLOW DOWN" APPEARS WHEN INCLINING UPHILL IN ABOVE 70 DEGREES (F) AT 45MPH OR MORE. TRANSMISSION BEGINS TO LOSE POWER, DECELERATION OCCURS, TEMPERATURE GAUGE READS NORMAL ON DASHBOARD MENU, VEHICL
NHTSA complaint: Engine
THE MITSUBISHI DEALER TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T FIX ONE OF THE RECALLS BECAUSE IT WAS AN "AFTER MARKET PART". *TR
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
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. ONE DAY, I WAS COMING OFF AN EXIT RAMP TRYING TO BRAKE SO I COULD TURN BUT MY BRAKES
NHTSA complaint: Steering
I HAD SOME WARNING LIGHTS COME ON FOR THE ASC AND ABS SYSTEMS BEING DISABLED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE ABS PUMP WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR OVER $3000. I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND SEVERAL OTHE
NHTSA complaint: Electronic stability control (esc)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION. WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY UNSTABLE AND 'FOUR WHEEL DRIVE DISABLED' DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NIMAY MITSUBISHI (1
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Sportback, 2008-2013 Outlander, and 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, M
Risk: A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 membe
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. The drive belt automatic tensioner flange may crack, allowing the accessory drive b
Risk: If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 cust
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. The sunroof glass may detach from the sunroof assembly, becoming a road hazard to other vehicles.
Risk: If the sunroof glass detaches from the assembly while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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
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. The affected vehicles, manufactured with 4B1 engines,
Risk: If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
| Reliability raw | 69 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 72 | good |
| Maintenance | 72 | good |
| Depreciation | 55 | average |
| Performance | 49 | below average |
| Efficiency | 46 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 85 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 18 of them (21%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 69/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 72/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2010 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 64/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.