Mitsubishi Lancer: which model years draw the most owner complaints?
864 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Mitsubishi Lancer, model years 2000 to 2017. One model year stands out for the engine or transmission: 2003 (transmission 5.1×). Quietest mature years by complaint count: 2015, 2005, 2016. Counts of unverified owner reports, compared only with other years of the same model; not failure rates.
Complaints by model year
| MODEL YEAR | COMPLAINTS | VS OTHER YEARS | STANDS OUT | RECALLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 LancerFEW REPORTS | 1 | — | 0 | |
| 2002 LancerFEW REPORTS | 148 | — | 4 | |
| 2003 Lancer | 199 | transmission 5.1× | 6 | |
| 2004 LancerFEW REPORTS | 80 | — | 7 | |
| 2005 LancerFEW REPORTS | 24 | quiet: 2 of 11 | 6 | |
| 2006 LancerFEW REPORTS | 37 | — | 7 | |
| 2007 LancerFEW REPORTS | 2 | — | 3 | |
| 2008 LancerFEW REPORTS | 91 | — | 5 | |
| 2009 LancerFEW REPORTS | 98 | — | 8 | |
| 2010 LancerFEW REPORTS | 51 | — | 6 | |
| 2011 LancerFEW REPORTS | 34 | quiet: 4 of 11 | 3 | |
| 2012 LancerFEW REPORTS | 19 | — | 1 | |
| 2013 LancerFEW REPORTS | 5 | — | 0 | |
| 2014 LancerFEW REPORTS | 16 | — | 0 | |
| 2015 LancerFEW REPORTS | 23 | quiet: 1 of 11 | 1 | |
| 2016 LancerFEW REPORTS | 30 | quiet: 3 of 11 | 2 | |
| 2017 LancerFEW REPORTS | 6 | — | 0 |
"Stands out" = 40 or more complaints naming that system and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share seen across every vehicle of that model year. Newer years have had less time on the road. "Quiet" ranks only years with 7+ years on the road and 20+ complaints. NHTSA data through November 2026.
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Other Mitsubishi models
Mitsubishi Diamante · Mitsubishi Eclipse · Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder · Mitsubishi Endeavor · Mitsubishi Galant · Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution · Mitsubishi Mirage · Mitsubishi Montero · Mitsubishi Montero Sport · Mitsubishi Outlander · Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. All makes and models.
Source: NHTSA public complaints, recalls, service bulletin and investigation databases, data received through November 2026. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not failure rates: sales volumes are unknown, so a model year is only compared with other years of the same model. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Year pages: 2003