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2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 51 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer, most often about the engine (41% of complaints, typically around 93,000 miles). It is 6th of 17 Lancer model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer problems
Engine
21 complaints · 41%Half of these problems showed up before 93,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that burning fumes were emitted into the vehicle. The contact received a notice for NHTSA campaign number: 14v562000 (engine). However, the parts needed were not available. The contact mentioned that the manufacturer had exceeded the reasonable amount of…
There was no incident. I received a notice from Mitsubishi for the recall. The problem is/was Mitsubishi didn't make easy for the consumer to have the recall issue fixed. My dealer (glendale Mitsubishi) said they don't do recalls on saturdays. So myself and four other consumers got told they don't do recalls on…
Brakes
7 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 48,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
The contact owns a 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH with the cruise control activated she depressed the brake pedal but the brakes would not respond. The contact crashed into another vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for a body repair. The…
The contact owns a 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact was a passenger in the vehicle as the driver was traveling 35 MPH. The brakes were applied to attempt a turn but did not respond and the driver engaged the parking brake. The vehicle proceeded to crash into a guardrail on the side of the highway, damaging the…
Visibility and wipers
6 complaints · 12%Parts named most often: windshield wiper/washer, power window devices and controls, sun/moon roof assembly.
After about 6 weeks use, sun visors in my new 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer malfunction during use, drifting downward obstructing forward vision. Visors were replaced at dealer. After 4 to 6 weeks, again the new visors drift downward when in use, obstructing vision. When driving toward the sun, driver must have one hand…
The contact owns a 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer. While driving various speeds, the windshield wipers failed to operate without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred several times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Electrical
5 complaints · 10%When hitting the volume control/hands free system buttons on the steering wheel they get mixed up. If I hit volume down it triggers the hands free system so I have to hit volume up which works in order to get the volume down button to finally correct itself. It's only just started doing this within the past couple…
All electrical shuts off when car turns on. "check!" and "service engine!" notifications appear in dash, but disappear within seconds. Car can be idle or moving while electrical panel shuts off. Brought car to Mitsubishi for diagnosis, showed them a video of the dash and headlights turning off as if car is stalling…
Other or unspecified
5 complaints · 10%When hitting the volume control/hands free system buttons on the steering wheel they get mixed up. If I hit volume down it triggers the hands free system so I have to hit volume up which works in order to get the volume down button to finally correct itself. It's only just started doing this within the past couple…
Transmission
4 complaints · 8%First incident occurred on 12/6/10 when the car had 11,000 miles on it. Sometimes when pressing the gas pedal, the engine revs up but the car doesn't move. This problem has happened about 25 times since I purchased the vehicle in november 2009. The vehicle issue has been reported to Mitsubishi corporate and the…
"4WD system service required" went to the dealership to find that the acd pump have failed. Paid $3,000 because it's not a warranty part. Went online to find out that other customers have experienced the same problem going as far back as 2005. It was a design issue with the acd pump where the seal shrinks during…
Lights
4 complaints · 8%Steering
3 complaints · 6%My ABS and asc lights have been on for a while. Took it to a mechanic and was told it wasnt a problem, just a faulty electrical system. One day, I was coming off an exit ramp trying to brake so I could turn but my brakes wouldnt engage so I slam on my brake and they locked up and my car slid and crashed into a median.…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2010 Mitsubishi Lancer recalls
Body and structure: frame and members
Risk: A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mmna will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied or the front cross member will be replaced with a new one. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began august 7, 2020. Owners may contact mmna customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mmna's number for this recall is sr-20-003.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: belts and associated pulleys
Risk: If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mmna will notify owners, and dealers will replace the belt tensioner with one that has an improved shape, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin march 27, 2018. Owners may contact mmna customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mmna's number for this recall is sr-18-001.
Full defect summary
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.
Visibility and wipers: sun/moon roof assembly
Risk: If the sunroof glass detaches from the assembly while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mmna will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sunroof glass assembly, free of charge. The recall began on february 27, 2018. Owners may contact mmna customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mmna's number for this recall is sr-18-003.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: electrical system
Risk: Unstable voltage could result in intermittent failure of the vehicle's head lights, tail lights, and windshield wipers. If the headlights and/or windshield wipers fail, the driver could have reduced visibility. If the tail lights fail, the vehicle could be less visible. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected ecu, free of charge. The recall began on june 15 ,2015. Owners may contact mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is sr-15-002.
Full defect summary
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.
Visibility and wipers: fan/motor
Risk: Failure of the blower motor may reduce the performance of the windshield defroster, diminishing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace a suspect blower motor, free of charge. The recall began on june 15, 2015. Owners may contact mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is sr-15-003.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: belts and associated pulleys
Risk: If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the drive belt with a rubber belt. Drive pulleys that are excessively worn will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on october 15, 2014. Owners may contact mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is sr-14-009.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer
- What are the most common problems with the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (21 complaints, typically around 93,000 miles); brakes (7 complaints, typically around 48,000 miles); visibility and wipers (6 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 18, 2020 (body and structure). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2010 a bad year for the Mitsubishi Lancer?
- It is 6th of 17 Lancer model years by number of complaints, with 51 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.