VehicleVerdict

2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 43 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.3 times the median Lancer Evolution year — the 2010 model ranks #3 of 13 Lancer Evolution years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: transmission issues account for 47% of all reports (20 of 43), far ahead of electrical system at 9.

43

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other Lancer Evolution years?

Lancer Evolution NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted116 complaints2003: 116 complaints2004: 0 complaints2005: 22 complaints2006: 29 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 57 complaints2009: 2 complaints2010: 43 complaints2011: 19 complaints2012: 4 complaints2013: 4 complaints2014: 13 complaints2015: 5 complaints
Lancer Evolution NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Lancer Evolution years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission2047%
Electrical System921%
Fuel System49%
Engine49%
Steering37%
Brakes25%
Speed Control12%

Does the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V071000Visibility & WipersJanuary 26, 2018 · 56,641 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the sunroof glass detaches from the assembly while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

15V232000Electrical SystemApril 20, 2015 · 53,396 units

Defect

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles manufactured January 12, 2009, to July 6, 2010, 2009-2010 Outlander vehicles manufactured January 12, 2009, to August 27, 2010, 2010 Lancer Sportback vehicles manufactured June 17, 2009, to June 8, 2010, and 2010 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured July 14, 2009, to August 4, 2010. The affected vehicles have an electronic control unit (ECU) that controls the head lights, tail lights, and windshield wipers. Due to a manufacturing error, the voltage inside this ECU may be unstable.

Consequence

Unstable voltage could result in intermittent failure of the vehicle's head lights, tail lights, and windshield wipers. If the headlights and/or windshield wipers fail, the driver could have reduced visibility. If the tail lights fail, the vehicle could be less visible. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

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.

15V233000Visibility & WipersApril 20, 2015 · 76,958 units

Defect

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Lancer vehicles manufactured March 16, 2009, to March 30, 2011, 2010-2011 Lancer Sportback vehicles manufactured June 17, 2009, to December 1, 2010, 2010-2011 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured July 14, 2009, to January 7, 2011, 2009-2011 Outlander vehicles manufactured February 10, 2009, to June 22, 2011, and 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured August 26, 2010, to November 19, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the blower motor may fail.

Consequence

Failure of the blower motor may reduce the performance of the windshield defroster, diminishing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

14V562000EngineSeptember 12, 2014 · 165,923 units

Defect

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, have an engine pulley and belt arrangement for turning the alternator, the cooling fan and the power steering pump (if equipped). These pulleys may experience unusual wear and allow for belt detachment.

Consequence

If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-009.

13V446000TransmissionSeptember 19, 2013 · 10,474 units

Defect

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured from December 12, 2007, through March 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the clutch master cylinder can fail.

Consequence

Failure of the clutch master cylinder reduces the ability to shift the vehicle into or out of gear, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected clutch master cylinders free of charge. The recall began on November 12, 2013. Owners may contact Mitsubishi at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's campaign number for this recall is SR-13-009.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

4WD SERVICE REQUIRED LIGHT APPEARED. LIGHTS STAYS ON FOR A FEW DAYS. WENT TO MITSUBISHI DEALER SERVICE AND AWC PUMP HAS FAILED. IM AT 50,000 MILES AND CAR IS 4 YEARS OLD, SO IM WITH IN THE 5YR/60K MILE DRIVETRAIN WARRANTY, AND WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER IT. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A DRIVETRAIN PROBLEM. LET…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 20, 2013

TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT AND I RECEIVED A "SERVICE AWD SYSTEM" MESSAGE. CAUSED BY THE ACD/AYC PUMP BEING FAULTY WHICH IS APPARENTLY A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AS CORROSION HAPPENS TO THE EXPOSED PUMP. OPTIONS INCLUDE A $2000-3000 REPLACEMENT OF THE PUMP OR REBUILD ONE AND HOPE IT DOESN'T…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 11, 2013

THE SMELL OF GAS FUMES WHILE DRIVING COMING FROM A 2010 MITSUBISHI EVOLUTION TOURING. THIS HAPPENS EITHER WITH THE AC ON OR OFF, WHILE STANDING IN TRAFFIC OR DOING THE SPEED LIMIT OR DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE SMELLS CAUSE IS NOT DETERMINED BY ANY NON-MITSUBISHI MECHANIC NOR A MITSUBISHI MECHANIC.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 2, 2011

MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE LAST NIGHT AND BURNED UP WHILE TURNED OFF, PARKED AND UNATTENDED. ANOTHER SIMILIAR SITUATION OCCURRED: BOISE --- A VEHICLE RECALL YOU MAY NOT HAVE HEARD ABOUT THAT COULD PUT YOU IN DANGER. IMAGINE YOUR CAR IS PARKED IN YOUR GARAGE AND A FIRE ERUPTS UNDER THE HOOD OF IT --…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 27, 2011 · fire

STARTED UP ONE DAY AND WENT TO DRIVE IT AND THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE PUMP HAD FAILED, CAUSED A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE HANDLING OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · May 9, 2014

2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution — common questions

Is the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 43 complaints put the 2010 model at #3 of 13 Lancer Evolution years. It is one of the Lancer Evolution years to avoid.

What are the most common 2010 Lancer Evolution problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (20 complaints), electrical system (9 complaints), fuel system (4 complaints).

Does the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Lancer Evolution years to avoid are 2003, 2008, 2010. The cleanest record among Lancer Evolution years belongs to 2007.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.