Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Reliability
314 NHTSA complaints (2003–2015). Complaint rate: 2150.7 per 1,000 vehicles.
Which Years to Buy & Avoid
Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.
Bottom line: Avoid the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. The 2015 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: POWER TRAIN.
Avoid These Years
Average
Better Years
A model's reputation is just the start.
Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA complaint count per model year
Common Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 67 | 0.0% |
| POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY | 46 | 0.0% |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 31 | 0.0% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 16 | 0.0% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 14 | 0.0% |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 11 | 0.0% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 10 | 20.0% |
| SUSPENSION | 10 | 0.0% |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 10 | 0.0% |
| ENGINE | 9 | 0.0% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003AVOID | — | 116 | 1 | — | View 2003View→ |
| 2005 | — | 22 | 2 | — | View 2005View→ |
| 2006AVOID | — | 29 | 0 | — | View 2006View→ |
| 2008AVOID | — | 57 | 0 | — | View 2008View→ |
| 2009GOOD | — | 2 | 0 | — | View 2009View→ |
| 2010AVOID | — | 43 | 0 | 1 | View 2010View→ |
| 2011 | — | 19 | 0 | — | View 2011View→ |
| 2012GOOD | — | 4 | 0 | — | View 2012View→ |
| 2013GOOD | — | 4 | 0 | 1 | View 2013View→ |
| 2014 | — | 13 | 3 | 3 | View 2014View→ |
| 2015GOOD | — | 5 | 0 | — | View 2015View→ |
See also: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutionaccident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
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