The 2003 draws 5.5 complaints per run and the 2006 1.64, a 3.4-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 3 years of age, so 27.1% land after the 5-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Power Train, with 94 complaints, typically at 2.7 years.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 3 | 3 | yes | |
| 2014 | 5 | 5 | yes | |
| 2013 | 3 | 3 | yes | |
| 2011 | 8 | 6 | yes | |
| 2010 | 23 | 13 | yes | |
| 2008 | 27 | 14 | yes | |
| 2006 | 18 | 11 | yes | |
| 2005 | 13 | 7 | yes | |
| 2003 | 66 | 12 | yes |
Among the 5 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 2003, 2008, 2005; the three worth hunting are 2006, 2010, 2005.
When it starts to break
| Age at failure | Complaints | Running total | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 8.4% | covered | |
| 1 year | 34.3% | covered | |
| 2 years | 45.2% | covered | |
| 3 years | 63.9% | covered | |
| 4 years | 72.9% | covered | |
| 5 years | 79.5% | you pay | |
| 6 years | 86.1% | you pay | |
| 7 years | 87.3% | you pay | |
| 8 years | 91.6% | you pay | |
| 9 years | 93.4% | you pay | |
| 10 years | 94% | you pay | |
| 11 years | 97% | you pay | |
| 12 years | 98.2% | you pay | |
| 13 years | 98.8% | you pay | |
| 14 years | 99.4% | you pay | |
| 15 years | 100% | you pay |
Basic warranty on this car is 5 years / 60,000 miles. Only 72.9% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 27.1% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (10 years / 100,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 65% of the complaints here.
What actually fails — and at what age
On the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, the early trouble is Power Train and Engine And Engine Cooling — reported at around 2.7 years, so a car still under warranty is the one to check for it. What waits further out is Electronic Stability Control (esc) at 4.4 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 2.7 yrs | — | 1 | |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 4.4 yrs | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2.4 yrs | — | 1 | |
| Structure | 7.5 yrs | — | — | |
| Suspension | 8.2 yrs | — | — | |
| Steering | 4.3 yrs | 2 | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 3.4 yrs | 2 | — | |
| Service Brakes | 4.1 yrs | 1 | — |
What else in this class
6 models share the Lancer Evolution's vehicle class. Per production run, the Toyota Corolla draws 5.16, the Lexus IS 1.31 and the BMW M3 1.49, against 2.19 for the Lancer Evolution.
| Same class as the Lancer Evolution | Complaints on record | Recall campaigns | Years built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Corolla | 219 | 1981–2026 | |
| Lexus IS | 118 | 2001–2026 | |
| BMW M3 | 78 | 1988–2026 | |
| Acura TLX | 41 | 2015–2026 | |
| Ford Focus | 138 | 2000–2026 | |
| Subaru WRX | 17 | 2015–2026 |
The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
- Check any VIN against complaints for its exact build year and plant
- Exact value for that car, adjusted for its mileage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution reliable?
By complaints per production run it is better than typical: 2.19 against 3.73 for the average car, and in the middle of its class rivals.
Which Lancer Evolution years should you avoid?
By complaints per production run, 2003, 2008, 2005. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 2006, 2010, 2005. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.
When do Lancer Evolution problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 3 years of age. The most reported system is Power Train, typically at 2.7 years, followed by Electronic Stability Control (esc).
Will the warranty cover Lancer Evolution problems?
Mostly yes: basic cover is 5 years / 60,000 miles, and 72.9% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 65% of the complaints here.
Is the Lancer Evolution more reliable than the Toyota Corolla?
Yes: 2.19 complaints per production run for the Lancer Evolution against 5.16 for the Toyota Corolla.
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