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Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIN Check

NHTSA holds 169 owner complaints on the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution from 77 production runs; the worst run has 10, the typical one 2.2.

NHTSA complaint records · 169 complaints · 77 runs · 2003–2015 · Updated Nov 4, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported Lancer Evolution run is JA3AH86F03U (2003 builds) with 10 complaints, 4.5× the typical run. Power train problems make up 51% of reports; 2003 is the worst model year at 5.5 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for Lancer Evolution model years 2003–2015.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has 77 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 24% of every Lancer Evolution complaint on file.

FIG.01·Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
JA3AH86F03U••••••200310——
JA3AH86F13U••••••200391—
JA3AH86F73U••••••20037——
JA3AH86FX3U••••••20037——
JA3AH86F53U••••••20037——
JA3AH86F93U••••••20036——
JA3AH86F63U••••••20036——
JA3AH86F33U••••••20035——
JA3AW86VX8U••••••20085——
JA3AH86F83U••••••20034——
JA32W8FV3AU••••••20104——
JA3AH86C36U••••••20064——
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 65 Lancer Evolution runs has 4 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 12 Lancer Evolution VINs so far, most often 2015, 2006, 2005 builds; 2 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution the gap between build years is 5.5×: a 2003 car draws 5.5 complaints per run, a 2013 one 1.

FIG.02·Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
2015133—
20141551
2013133—
20111.386—
20101.82313—
20081.92714—
20061.61811—
20051.91372
20035.566121
ROWS 9·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2003 at 5.5 complaints per run; lightest is 2013 at 1.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 51% of everything Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution owners report: Power Train, 94 of 169 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Power Train94—1
Electronic Stability Control (esc)24——
Engine And Engine Cooling16—1
Structure13——
Suspension11——
Steering92—
Unknown Or Other82—
Service Brakes81—
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 14 recall campaigns on the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution; the 6 below cover build years 2003 to 2015. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
13V446000Power Train:manual Transmission2008–2013
14V562000Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys2008–2011
16V458000Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm2003–2006
15V546000Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly2014–2015
15V233000Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:fan/motor2010–2011
18V071000Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly2009–2010
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

13V446000 was opened in 2013 on cars built from 2008: 5 years on the road before the recall.

How serious were they

Of the 169 reports on the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, 2.4% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.

FIG.06·Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution — complaint severity
OutcomeMitsubishi Lancer EvolutionAll vehicles
Complaints filed1691,115,966
Involved a crash4 (2.4%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire3 (1.8%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported258,013
Deaths reported02,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Crash-related reports run 59% below the all-vehicle rate.

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution share of that is 169 complaints over 77 runs, 0.02% of everything on record.

Everything on the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
Recalls30 campaignsFuel economy19 mpg bestReliability4.0/5Common problems292 complaintsCargo space11 cu ftUsed prices66 listingsInsurance costEstimated per yearWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car2003–2015

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 169 NHTSA complaints from 77 Lancer Evolution runs and 14 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which Lancer Evolution production run has the most complaints?

JA3AH86F03U, a 2003 build, with 10 complaints. The typical Lancer Evolution run has 2.2.

Which Lancer Evolution years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2003 is heaviest at 5.5 complaints per run and 2013 lightest at 1.

How many Lancer Evolution complaints involve a crash?

2.4% of 169 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 3 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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