2011 Mitsubishi Lancer: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 34 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (16% of complaints); the 2012 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2018
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“While driving the vehicle the headlights will turn off at random intervals. The passenger side rear tail light is out and remains out despite changing the bulb. Water leaks through a gap in the body into the light and the trunk. Headlights need to be reliable in order to ensure safety and visibility, especially at night and during inclement weather. My father is a retired auto mechanic and has been doing his best to troubleshoot the problem. I am experiencing financial hardship at the moment and I cannot afford to bring my vehicle anywhere that would charge. There are no warnings, the lights just stop working periodically and the tail light stopped working about a week ago.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2022
“I got a service needed warning for the electric power steering and I lost all power steering... As it turned out, the rack and pinion was bad because the subframe rotted out where the rack and pinion mounts up and a custom built subframe and rack and pinion had to be installed on the car at a cost of almost $5,000...”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2022
“The contact owns a 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that while having the vehicle inspected, the front crossmember was corroded. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000. Consumer called the local dealer back for an estimate, part to be replaced and was given $1150.19. Dealer would get the parts in a week.”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns 2011 mitsubishi lancer. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, the defogger failed to operate as air stopped flowing through the vents. The contact stated that the heater, air conditioner and defogger failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. Don herring north mitsubishi (4225 w plano pkwy, plano, tx 75093) was contacted and advised that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15v233000 (visibility). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.”Owner report · Visibility · Jun 2020
“Car was parked on the parking spot in the evening. Next morning car did not start for no reason. Etac ecu failure caused a return signal to be blocked on a communication channel wire. Also what was found later after a communication channel wire connections clean up, that a cooling fan started to run continuously all the time even when the car engine shut off.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2019
“I smell fuel in my car fairly often, also I have a recall on my car and the dealership will do nothing about it. I ran codes and they all point back to an issue with th computer. When I'm driving it will just start smelling like fuel. I am usually on a city street or freeway. The last thing to happen to me is the car drove like it wanted to start and stop, I was on a street turning to the next one. The transmission service required popped on.I turned the car off then off again and the car would not engage in any gear.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2019
“This is regarding multiple recalls for my vehicle. I purchased the vehicle in st.thomas virgin islands from budget rent a car in 2013. There has been 3 recalls for my vehicle since then I was not notified, only through research I found out. I've called the budget dealer, essentialy told me its my problem, called mitsubishi, they have no contact number but gave me a url for the global website, which has no contact info. I'm at a loss and have no options left. I personally do not know if all these recalls pertain to my vehcile, but numerous mechanics told me that there is a problem with the engine around the belt area. I hope this reaches someone that can assist.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2019
“"takata recall" manufacturer recall numbersr-18-001 NHTSA recall number18v069 recall statusrecall incomplete summary due to repetition of high load operations, the flange of the drive belt automatic tensioner may crack, causing the drive belt detachment. Safety risk if the drive belt detaches, the alternator will not charge the battery, causing engine stall, and/or the power steering assist will be disabled, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy owners of all affected vehicles will be notified and encouraged to bring their vehicles in to replace the auto tensioner with a countermeasure unit.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jan 2018
“The transmission doesn't shift into gear easily as well as jumps out of first gear when taking off from stop. When shifting into 3rd and 5th it is difficult to shift into while moving. This is a dangerous situation when driving. All upper gears are difficult to shift into. The clutch failed twice in less than 40k miles then the replacement failed after only 1,000. Not sure if they are related.”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2017
“Hi my wife was driving mhe 2011 lancer while she was turning toward the right to another street the wheel and steering wheel turn a little then locked up on her almost strucking another vehicle when that happend she also steped on her brakes and dint also wanyed to stop. Almost cuasing her and my son to get into an accident. It happend on a state route into a street. Next day car has a wierd sound every time u turn left and steering feels funny.”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2011 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Lancer by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?
NHTSA has 34 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer. The most complained-about area is power train (16% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 58,250 miles or less.
Does the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and associated pulleys. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.