The Mitsubishi Lancer is a compact car built from 2002 to 2017 over 3 generations. Most were assembled in Japan — 100% of those on record. Between 2002 and 2018 it grew 6 cm longer and gained 119 kg. Engines offered: 4-cyl. Worth buying? It depends heavily on which year you buy at 3.5/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the Lancer is
The Mitsubishi Lancer is a compact car that Mitsubishi built from 2002 to 2017 — 16 model years. Our measurements put it at 3 generations, the current one starting in 2007. It has been offered with 4-cyl power. Its closest siblings in the Mitsubishi range: Galant, Lancer Evolution, Mirage G4.
Where the Lancer is built
A badge says where the company is registered; the VIN says where the car was bolted together. We counted the first three characters — the manufacturer identifier — across 737 Lancers on record.
| Assembled in | Share | VIN starts with | Years seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | JA3 | 2002-2017 |
Check your own: the first three characters of a Mitsubishi VIN decide which of these 3 lines your Lancer belongs to. What every character in a Lancer VIN means →
Lancer generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the Lancer's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the Lancer that gives 3 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002-2003 | 451 cm | 260 cm | 1216 kg | - | - |
| 2004-2006 | 459 cm | 260 cm | 1248 kg | +8 cm | +32 kg |
| 2007-2018 | 457 cm | 264 cm | 1335 kg | -2 cm | +87 kg |
Between 2002 and 2018 the Lancer gained 6 cm in length (+1.3%) and 119 kg in weight (+9.8%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the Lancer that is 119 kg against 6 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Mitsubishi Lancer tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment Lancer owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Mitsubishi Lancer have? Power & range
The Mitsubishi Lancer is offered with 1 powertrain — 2L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 1 for the Mitsubishi Lancer, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 2.0L · 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
The Lancer by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Mitsubishi Lancer. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | Lancer | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 78 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Owner complaints | 1,063 filed | What breaks and when |
| Reliability | 3.5 / 5 | Best and worst years |
| Crash safety | ★★★★ NHTSA | Frontal, side, rollover |
| Insurance | $2,248/yr | Estimated full coverage |
| Used value | 152 listings | What it sells for now |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Mitsubishi Lancer?
The Lancer is a compact car, built from 2002 to 2017 across 3 generations. Engines offered: 4-cyl.
Where is the Mitsubishi Lancer made?
Across 737 cars in our records the split is: Japan (100%). The first three characters of a VIN identify the plant's manufacturer and country — that is where these shares come from, not from a press release.
How many generations does the Lancer have?
3 by our measurements, the latest starting in 2007. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the Lancer grew 6 cm longer and gained 119 kg.
What is the Mitsubishi Lancer warranty?
New models carry 5 years / 60,000 miles basic cover and 10 years / 100,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the Lancer reliable?
It scores 3.5/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific Lancer?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
More in Mitsubishi
| Model | Years | Recalls | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Outlander | 2003–2026 | 140 | 28 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Mitsubishi Eclipse | 1990–2012 | 136 | 24 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Mitsubishi Mirage | 1985–2026 | 65 | 39 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Mitsubishi Galant | 1985–2012 | 67 | 24 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Mitsubishi 3000GT | 1991–1999 | 21 | 19 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Mitsubishi Outlander Sport | 2011–2026 | 67 | 28 mpg | 4.0/5 |