VehicleVerdict

2010 Mitsubishi Lancer problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 66 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.8 times the median Lancer year — the 2010 model ranks #6 of 18 Lancer years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 21 reports (32% of the total).

66

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other Lancer years?

See all Lancer years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine2132%
Brakes711%
Electrical System711%
Visibility & Wipers69%
Other58%
Lighting46%
Transmission46%
Steering35%
Airbags23%
Speed Control23%
Body & Structure12%
Suspension12%
Tires & Wheels12%
Seat Belts12%
Fuel System12%

Does the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer have recalls?

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

20V279000Body & StructureMay 18, 2020 · 141,200 units

Defect

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, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.

Consequence

A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-20-003.

18V069000EngineJanuary 26, 2018 · 141,053 units

Defect

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 belt to detach.

Consequence

If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-001.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BURNING FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V562000 (ENGINE). HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 1, 2014 · fire

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 WOULDNT ENGAGE SO I SLAM ON MY BRAKE AND THEY LOCKED UP AND MY CAR SLID AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 7, 2019 · crash

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 WOULDNT ENGAGE SO I SLAM ON MY BRAKE AND THEY LOCKED UP AND MY CAR SLID AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 7, 2019 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · November 10, 2016

WHEN HITTING THE VOLUME CONTROL/HANDS FREE SYSTEM BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL THEY GET MIXED UP. IF I HIT VOLUME DOWN IT TRIGGERS THE HANDS FREE SYSTEM SO I HAVE TO HIT VOLUME UP WHICH WORKS IN ORDER TO GET THE VOLUME DOWN BUTTON TO FINALLY CORRECT ITSELF. IT'S ONLY JUST STARTED DOING THIS WITHIN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 1, 2014

2010 Mitsubishi Lancer — common questions

Is the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 66 complaints put the 2010 model at #6 of 18 Lancer years. It is one of the Lancer years to avoid.

What are the most common 2010 Lancer problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (21 complaints), electrical system (7 complaints), brakes (7 complaints).

Does the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mitsubishi Lancer years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Lancer years to avoid are 2003, 2002, 2009, 2008, 2004, 2010, 2005. The cleanest record among Lancer years belongs to 2000.

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.