Best and worst Mitsubishi Lancer years — which to avoid

The Lancer is one of the most beloved Mitsubishi vehicles, and yet, common driver complaints suggest there were some Mitsubishi Lancer years to avoid. Even though this model seems quite reliable, some issues add up to the negative reviews of specific model years, and we’ll present all the details to you in this guide.

Our automotive experts have made sufficient effort to browse all the complaints and ratings listed on NHTSA, as well as Lancer review details from other sources, and we’ll equip you with proper knowledge of the best and worst years to help with your buying decision.

Why you can trust REREV’s advice on which car model years to avoid: Our car experts look at official data, ask real drivers what they think, and talk to experienced mechanics to make sure our list is useful. This reliable info can make buying a car easier for you. Want to know how we do it? Find out more about our research methodology.

How we rated the best and worst Mitsubishi Lancer years

When buying an older vehicle like the Lancer, it’s important to find a review that you can completely trust. That’s why our team strived to deliver only proven and verified information regarding the Mitsubishi Lancer’s reliability and bad model years, so we started our search on NHTSA.

From there, we scrolled through the complaints and official recalls, as well as real driver reviews with first-hand impressions of the model and its issues, Of course, we used reliable sources for that as well, as KBB, Edmunds, and Consumer Reports are just some of them. Last but not least, we wanted to hear more from the previous owners so we explored some popular Lancer forums searching for accurate information on common issues and related reliability issues, and this is what we were left with:

Most common Mitsubishi Lancer problems

The model has been in production ever since 1973, and it’s Mitsubishi’s best-selling car. After taking a closer look at all the problems and driver complaints, our team realized there was a good reason for that. It’s no wonder how good these were selling because there were rarely any problem reports.

We have to admit that MItsubishi knows its stuff with the engines and mechanical components, but some model-specific concerns came with the modernization. The most common problem of all the Lancer generations is automatic transmission failure, followed right after by the cooling fan fault.

1. Problems with automatic transmission

It’s a true pleasure to drive a manual Lancer EVO, but for convenience purposes, most of the regular Lancer models were made with an automatic gearbox. Well, that may be good for fuel economy and if you find yourself clogged in traffic, but it may not be as good for maintenance and known faults.

The thing is – older automatic transmissions were prone to premature failure and these were much worse than modern ZF or Aisin models. Surprisingly, most of the issues with the automatic shifter were concerning transmission overheating and transmission slipping.

If you are wondering what a slipping transmission feels like, it’s that feeling of being underpowered and as if the transmission has skipped a gear. The good news is – these issues were more or less possible to resolve, and they rarely led to complete transmission rebuilds.

2. Engine cooling issues

One of the worst things that could happen to you while driving is experiencing raised engine temperature or, in the worst case, engine overheating. You may think it’s one of the low coolant symptoms, but that isn’t necessarily the case.

As we can see based on the example of used Mitsubishi Lancer models, it could also be a consequence of a faulty cooling fan controller. Luckily, this is an easy fix if spotted on time, and chances are that you’ll need to replace this controller if you are buying an eighth-gen Lancer to prevent engine overheating and similar problems. It’s often an affordable fix in the range of $100 to $150, so at least you won’t have to break the bank to ensure proper engine cooling again.

3. Clear coat and paint peeling

Well, this one at least isn’t as dangerous as mechanical issues and it’s certainly not as relevant as engine cooling problems. The clear coat was easily damaged by the rocks and bumps on the road, and this was mostly reflected in the front bumper.

On top of that, there’s a matter of paint chipping and while it won’t affect the ride, you probably won’t go for a model that requires $100 to $500 in paint repairs. That’s why it’s best to consider the ceramic coat benefits or go for one of the models that didn’t have issues with the paint.

4. Electrical system problems

Some Lancer models suffer from electrical shorts and problems with electrical systems and one of the main issues is the bad starter relay. The starter assembly fault was mostly due to a factory-installed relay and that caused Mitsubishi to issue a recall in 2017. While this could lead to a no-start condition, there are a few other electrical issues such as poor blower motor performance or inoperable temperature settings.

There were also some problems with the ECU due to faulty sensors, and all these issues were triggered by electrical problems.

Worst Mitsubishi Lancer years to avoid

Even with all the mentioned issues that the Lancer had over the years, it still makes one of the most reliable compact sedans on the used car market. You’d be surprised how few complaints the model received and it’s easy to divide the production years into good and bad, so what are the worst Mitsubishi Lancer years?

The worst Mitsubishi Lancer years are 2004 and 2006, but here’s a complete list of model years to avoid:

• 2004
• 2006
• 2008
• 2011
• 2012
• 2015

To make the choice easier for you, we’ll go over those model years and disclose the main details on the worst options out there, as well as the best picks for you.

Eighth-generation Mitsubishi Lancer (2004 and 2006 model years)

The eighth-gen Lancer model first started having problems in the 2004 model year and these were mostly engine cooling issues due to a faulty blower fan. There were also issues with the A/C heater, premature clutch wear, and electrical issues that led to reduced operation of interior accessories.

The 2006 model received quite a few complaints about engine and transmission problems, although these rarely resulted in rebuilds or expensive repairs.

Ninth-generation Mitsubishi Lancer (2008, 2011-2012, and 2015 model years)

The following generation of the Lancer also had a few problems and these were mostly due to suspension issues and paint chipping problems. While these weren’t much of an issue, some model years like the 2015 Lancer had engine problems in terms of uneven rev ranges and RPM fluctuations.

As it turns out, it was mostly due to worn-off spark plugs and similar reasons which weren’t big red flags. With proper and regular maintenance, you can make your Lancer last for years and it’s no wonder that this model ranks quite high on the list of used compact sedans due to its low number of reliability issues.

What are the best Mitsubishi Lancer years to buy?

It may strike you as a surprise, but there are far more good years than bad ones when it comes to used Lancer models and it’s a good thing for you as a buyer. The difficult part comes in when it’s time to decide on the one you’ll pursue due to so many decent models being out on the market. Let us help you narrow it down to only the best and most reliable Mitsubishi Lancer models:

• 1994
• 1995
• 1999
• 2003
• 2007
• 2009
• 2013
• 2016
• 2017
• 2018

The best Mitsubishi Lancer model overall is the 2007 one which received by far the lowest number of complaints over the years. Even high-mileage models are pretty solid and come without any particular reliability issues.

Since the ninth generation received the most complaints, we suggest you go with a 2007, 2010, or 2013 model since these are all pretty safe to buy used. It’s only important to avoid models infected with poor engine cooling issues and transmission faults, and you’ll be good to go for years to come.

2007 Mitsubishi Lancer

Among the best-rated Mitsubishi Lancer model years, the 2007 one stands out from the bunch as the most reliable. It earned the status through positive owners’ feedback and reviews, as well as the lack of complaints submitted to NHTSA.

In 2007, a lot of things changed mechanically for the Lancer, especially concerning the engine cooling issues and the transmission. Along with that, minor electrical faults, ECU malfunctions, and A/C issues were also fixed, so we recommend this model to interested buyers.

Is Mitsubishi Lancer worth buying?

Our final verdict wasn’t hard to make and it’s that the Lancer is worth buying because of all the driving comfort and reliability it comes with. It’s among the best used sedans to buy on the market, and the majority of generation models didn’t even have any particular issues.

On the other hand, petrol engines are known to last a long time and it’s a good pick for those that don’t like visiting the mechanic too often (who does, right?) and lovers of driver-focused cars. Of course, we suggest you go with an EVO version if you can afford one due to all the thrills it comes with, but a regular Lancer will also do if you aren’t much of a petrolhead.

Not all model years are created equal, and knowing which ones to avoid can save you a lot of trouble. Our guides like Subaru Impreza years to avoid, Mazda RX-8 years to avoid, and Pontiac G6 years to avoid cut straight to the chase, highlighting the years that might give you pause before purchasing.