2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer.

20092011
Complaints
66
Crashes
7
Fires
1
Injuries
4
Fatalities
Recalls
6

Worst 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#113 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:109,800 mi
Fires:1
#28 complaints

Engine & Cooling

#35 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:85,000 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer.

Engine Problems
13
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
109,800
Engine & Cooling
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical Faults
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
85,000
Headlight/Taillight Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Airbags
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Sunroof/Moonroof
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer

6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~635,171 vehicles.

20V279000Structure:frame And Members · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
~141,200 affected

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Sportback, 2008-2013 Outlander, and 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.

18V069000Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys
~141,053 affected

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Lancer, 2008-2012 Outlander, 2010-2012 Lancer Sportback, and 2011-2012 Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with either a 4B11 or 4B12 engine. The drive belt automatic tensioner flange may crack, allowing the accessory drive belt to detach.

18V071000Sunroof/Moonroof
~56,641 affected

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Outlander, 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Evolution, and 2010 Lancer Sportback vehicles equipped with sunroofs. The sunroof glass may detach from the sunroof assembly, becoming a road hazard to other vehicles.

15V233000Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:fan/motor
~76,958 affected

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Lancer vehicles manufactured March 16, 2009, to March 30, 2011, 2010-2011 Lancer Sportback vehicles manufactured June 17, 2009, to December 1, 2010, 2010-2011 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured July 14, 2009, to January 7, 2011, 2009-2011 Outlander vehicles manufactured February 10, 2009, to June 22, 2011, and 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured August 26, 2010, to November 19, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the blower motor may fail.

15V232000Electrical System
~53,396 affected

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles manufactured January 12, 2009, to July 6, 2010, 2009-2010 Outlander vehicles manufactured January 12, 2009, to August 27, 2010, 2010 Lancer Sportback vehicles manufactured June 17, 2009, to June 8, 2010, and 2010 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured July 14, 2009, to August 4, 2010. The affected vehicles have an electronic control unit (ECU) that controls the head lights, tail lights, and windshield wipers. Due to a manufacturing error, the voltage inside this ECU may be unstable.

14V562000Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys
~165,923 affected

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Lancer, Lancer Evolution, and Outlander; 2009-2011 Lancer Sportback, Lancer Rilliart, and Lancer Sportback Ralliart; and 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles. The affected vehicles, manufactured with 4B1 engines, have an engine pulley and belt arrangement for turning the alternator, the cooling fan and the power steering pump (if equipped). These pulleys may experience unusual wear and allow for belt detachment.

Other Mitsubishi Lancer Years

2010 Mitsubishi Lancer — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer has 66 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash-related, and 6 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 13 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (13 complaints, avg 109,800 mi); Engine & Cooling (8 complaints); Electrical Faults (5 complaints, avg 85,000 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 102,911 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer?
NHTSA complaints for the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer include 7 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer have any recalls?
Yes — 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 635,171 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Mitsubishi Lancer reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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