The most-reported Lancer run is JA3AJ26E83U (2003 builds) with 11 complaints, 5× the typical run. Power train problems make up 26% of reports; 2003 is the worst model year at 3.2 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 19 recall campaigns for Lancer model years 2002–2016.
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 has 339 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 6% of every Lancer complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JA3AJ26E83U•••••• | 2003 | 1 | — | |
| JA3AJ86E23U•••••• | 2003 | 1 | — | |
| JA3AJ26E53U•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| JA3AU26U88U•••••• | 2008 | 2 | — | |
| JA3AU86U08U•••••• | 2008 | — | — | |
| JA3AJ26E03U•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| JA3AU86W49U•••••• | 2009 | 2 | 2 | |
| JA3AJ86E53U•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| JA3AJ26E22U•••••• | 2002 | — | 1 | |
| JA3AU86W89U•••••• | 2009 | — | — | |
| JA3AJ26EX2U•••••• | 2002 | 3 | — | |
| JA3AJ26E33U•••••• | 2003 | 2 | — |
Each of the other 327 Lancer runs has 7 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 24 Lancer VINs so far, most often 2016, 2015, 2017 builds; 1 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 the gap between build years is 3.2×: a 2003 car draws 3.2 complaints per run, a 2017 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 6 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2016 | 30 | 19 | 1 | |
| 2015 | 21 | 13 | 5 | |
| 2014 | 15 | 13 | 2 | |
| 2013 | 5 | 4 | — | |
| 2012 | 19 | 13 | 3 | |
| 2011 | 35 | 23 | 1 | |
| 2010 | 46 | 34 | 3 | |
| 2009 | 101 | 38 | 9 | |
| 2008 | 98 | 40 | 6 | |
| 2006 | 43 | 18 | 4 | |
| 2005 | 23 | 18 | 4 | |
| 2004 | 57 | 29 | 5 | |
| 2003 | 141 | 44 | 9 | |
| 2002 | 102 | 34 | 18 |
Heaviest year here is 2003 at 3.2 complaints per run; lightest is 2017 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 26% of everything Mitsubishi Lancer owners report: Power Train, 171 of 744 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 9 | 3 | |
| Air Bags | 38 | 1 | |
| Visibility | — | — | |
| Engine | 2 | 1 | |
| Suspension | 6 | — | |
| Electrical System | 2 | 3 | |
| Service Brakes | 16 | 2 | |
| Structure | 4 | 1 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 19 recall campaigns on the Mitsubishi Lancer; the 6 below cover build years 2002 to 2012. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 16V458000 | Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm | 2002–2007 |
| 09E025000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 2002–2007 |
| 18V069000 | Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys | 2009–2012 |
| 14V562000 | Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys | 2008–2011 |
| 06E023000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 2003–2006 |
| 06E064000 | Exterior Lighting | 2003–2006 |
16V458000 was opened in 2016 on cars built from 2002: 14 years on the road before the recall.
The Lancer against its rivals
The Lancer draws 2.2 complaints per production run; the Ford Focus 9.2 and the Buick Verano 2.3. That is the lowest rate of the 3.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Lancer | 744 | 339 | 9.5% | |
| Ford Focus | 19,175 | 2,091 | 4.7% | |
| Buick Verano | 407 | 175 | 3.4% |
How serious were they
Of the 744 reports on the Mitsubishi Lancer, 9.5% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Mitsubishi Lancer | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 744 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 71 (9.5%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 11 (1.5%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 56 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 64% above 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 share of that is 744 complaints over 339 runs, 0.07% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Mitsubishi Lancer VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 744 NHTSA complaints from 339 Lancer runs and 19 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Lancer production run has the most complaints?
JA3AJ26E83U, a 2003 build, with 11 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical Lancer run has 2.2.
Which Lancer years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2003 is heaviest at 3.2 complaints per run and 2017 lightest at 1.
Does the Lancer get more complaints than the Ford Focus?
No: 2.2 complaints per production run for the Lancer against 9.2 for the Ford Focus.
How many Lancer complaints involve a crash?
9.5% of 744 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 11 involved a fire.
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