Car Statistics

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Mitsubishi Lancer

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Mitsubishi Lancer
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The Mitsubishi Lancer (A70) is the first generation version of Mitsubishi's long-running Lancer nameplate. When introduced in 1973, it filled the gap between the Minica kei car and the considerably larger Galant. It was a replacement for the Colt 1200, last sold in 1970. Although sedan production ended in 1979, vans continued on until 1985. This Lancer also formed the basis for the Lancer Celeste sports coupé of 1975 through to 1981. These Lancers were sold under a multitude of names in different markets.

Technical data
ManufacturerMitsubishi Motors Corporation
ProductionFrom 1973
Body typeSedan

Engine variants

Different engine versions of the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Mitsubishi Lancer (from registration data). 12 variants.

Engine variants for Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Mitsubishi Lancer
EngineFuelTransmissionTop speedEconomyModel year
1.6 l · 4-cylPetrolAutomatic–10.2 l/100 km2002–2003
1.6 l · 4-cylPetrolManual–9 l/100 km2002–2003
2.0 l · 4-cylPetrolAutomatic–9.7 l/100 km2002–2007
2.0 l · 4-cylPetrolManual–8.9 l/100 km2002–2017
2.0 l · 4-cylPetrolAutomatic–9.8 l/100 km2008–2009
2.0 l · 4-cylPetrolAutomatic–11.8 l/100 km2009
2.0 l · 4-cylPetrolAutomatic–11.8 l/100 km2010–2014
2.0 l · 4-cylPetrolAutomatic–8.3 l/100 km2010–2017
2.4 l · 4-cylPetrolAutomatic–10.7 l/100 km2004–2006
2.4 l · 4-cylPetrolManual–9.8 l/100 km2004–2016
2.4 l · 4-cylPetrolAutomatic–10.2 l/100 km2009
2.4 l · 4-cylPetrolAutomatic–9.1 l/100 km2010–2016

Source: EPA (US). Fuel economy converted to l/100 km.

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Common problems & reliability

US owners have filed 12 complaints for the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Mitsubishi Lancer, most often about air bags, power train, structure, visibility/wiper. These are owner-reported issues, useful for spotting recurring weaknesses before you buy. In the UK, 72% of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Mitsubishi Lancers pass their MOT test first time, based on 11,072 inspections in 2023. (2023 is the most recent annual release published by the DfT.)

Based on real owner complaints and inspection data — not an editorial rating. Sources: NHTSA (US, public domain), DVSA MOT (UK, Open Government Licence).

Recalls & safety

5 recalls recorded in the EU Safety Gate (European market) and 5 in the US-market NHTSA database for the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Mitsubishi Lancer. Recalls can flag known weaknesses of the model.

  • Passenger carEU · Safety Gate (Germany)

    Due to defects in their construction, the light control switch and/or turn indicator switch might malfunction. The defect in the light control switch may also result in sudden failure of the dipped headlights when the car is being driven.

    EU Safety Gate · alerted 2015-03-13

  • Passenger carEU · Safety Gate (Poland)

    The passenger side airbag inflator might release fragments during deployment which could injure the passenger.

    EU Safety Gate · alerted 2015-10-30

  • Passenger carEU · Safety Gate (Portugal)

    In the event of the airbag being deployed, the excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to rupture and metal fragments may pass through the cushion material causing injury to the driver.

    EU Safety Gate · alerted 2018-12-21

  • Passenger carEU · Safety Gate (Portugal)

    As a consequence, the sunroof glass might detach from the outer frame and come off.

    EU Safety Gate · alerted 2018-11-16

  • Passenger carEU · Safety Gate (Poland)

    The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

    EU Safety Gate · alerted 2021-06-18

  • POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)US · NHTSAModel year 2016

    Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles and 2016 Outlander and Lancer vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a constant velocity transmission (CVT) that, in certain driving conditions, may cause a delay in the vehicle accelerating.

    Remedy: MMNA has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the CVT control unit with modified software, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2016. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-006.

    NHTSA campaign 16V563000 · reported 28/07/2016

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAYUS · NHTSAModel year 2016

    Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Outlander, 2015-2016 Lancer and Outlander Sport, and 2015 Lancer Evolution vehicles. These vehicles may have defective relays that can result in an engine stall, reduced engine power or the engine overheating.

    Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected relays, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-005.

    NHTSA campaign 17V609000 · reported 29/09/2017

  • FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLYUS · NHTSAModel year 2015

    Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured January 31, 2014, to September 5, 2014, and 2014-2015 Lancer Ralliart vehicles manufactured February 3, 2014, to September 5, 2014. The affected turbocharged vehicles have a right parking brake cable that may contact the fuel tank, wearing away the tank's protective coating.

    Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right parking brake cable, and inspect the fuel tank, free of charge. If the fuel tank's exterior coating shows signs of damage from abrasive contact with the right parking brake cable, the fuel tank will also be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2015. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-15-009.

    NHTSA campaign 15V546000 · reported 31/08/2015

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAYUS · NHTSAModel year 2015

    Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Outlander, 2015-2016 Lancer and Outlander Sport, and 2015 Lancer Evolution vehicles. These vehicles may have defective relays that can result in an engine stall, reduced engine power or the engine overheating.

    Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected relays, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-005.

    NHTSA campaign 17V609000 · reported 29/09/2017

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAYUS · NHTSAModel year 2015

    Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Outlander, 2015-2016 Lancer and Outlander Sport, and 2015 Lancer Evolution vehicles. These vehicles may have defective relays that can result in an engine stall, reduced engine power or the engine overheating.

    Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected relays, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-005.

    NHTSA campaign 17V609000 · reported 29/09/2017

Sources: EU Safety Gate (European market) and NHTSA (US market). See all Mitsubishi Motors Corporation recalls.