NHTSA vehicle safety data

2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mitsubishi dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback owner complaints

Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback, describing incidents dated August 27, 2018.

Most-cited components

Structure 1 complaint
Unknown or Other 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11122780 · Filed August 27, 2018
2010 LANCER RECALL NUMBER SR-18-003. WHILE DRIVING FROM TEXAS TO CALIFORNIA AFTER GETTING OUT OF THE SERVICE THE SUNROOF BLEW OUT AND RIPPED AWAY AT FROM THE CAR WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH AND IT WAS IN A CLOSED AND LOCKED POSITION. CALLED MITSUBISHI AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL, EVEN…

Read the full complaint

Lower Control Arm May Detach Due to Corrosion

NHTSA #20V279000 · Structure — Frame and Members · NHTSA notice

Reported May 18, 2020 · Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 141,200 vehicles

Repair completion: 46.59% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mitsubishi campaign SR-20-003 · Owners notified August 7, 2020

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Sun Roof Glass may Detach from Assembly

NHTSA #18V071000 · Visibility — Sun/Moon Roof Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported January 26, 2018 · Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 56,641 vehicles

Repair completion: 26.8% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mitsubishi campaign SR-18-003 · Owners notified February 27, 2018 · Vehicles built June 17, 2009 – October 30, 2009 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If the sunroof glass detaches from the assembly while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Belt Tensioner may Break Allowing Belt to Detach

NHTSA #18V069000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine — Gasoline — Belts and Associated Pulleys · NHTSA notice

Reported January 26, 2018 · Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 141,053 vehicles

Repair completion: 38.4% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mitsubishi campaign SR-18-001 · Owners notified March 27, 2018 · Vehicles built June 17, 2009 – November 15, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Loss of Lights and/or Windshield Wipers

NHTSA #15V232000 · Electrical System · NHTSA notice

Reported April 20, 2015 · Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 53,396 vehicles

Repair completion: 54.31% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mitsubishi campaign SR-15-002 · Owners notified June 15, 2015 · Vehicles built June 17, 2009 – June 8, 2010 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Blower Motor may Fail

NHTSA #15V233000 · Visibility — Defroster/Defogger/HVAC System — Fan/Motor · NHTSA notice

Reported April 20, 2015 · Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 76,958 vehicles

Repair completion: 56.34% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mitsubishi campaign SR-15-003 · Owners notified June 15, 2015 · Vehicles built June 17, 2009 – December 1, 2010 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Drive Belt may Detach due to Worn Engine Pulley

NHTSA #14V562000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine — Gasoline — Belts and Associated Pulleys · NHTSA notice

Reported September 12, 2014 · Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 165,923 vehicles

Repair completion: 46.58% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mitsubishi campaign SR-14-009 · Owners notified October 15, 2014 · Vehicles built September 30, 2008 – December 16, 2010 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Hatchback 5-DR w/SAB

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out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 4

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

1 owner complaint has been filed with NHTSA for the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback.

Structure; Unknown or Other

ODI #11122780

Incident: August 27, 2018 · Filed: August 27, 2018

2010 LANCER RECALL NUMBER SR-18-003. WHILE DRIVING FROM TEXAS TO CALIFORNIA AFTER GETTING OUT OF THE SERVICE THE SUNROOF BLEW OUT AND RIPPED AWAY AT FROM THE CAR WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH AND IT WAS IN A CLOSED AND LOCKED POSITION. CALLED MITSUBISHI AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH IT IS SAME MODEL AND YEAR AS THOSE AFFECTED AND HAD THE SAME EXACT ISSUE THAT WAS STATED IN THE RECALL, DOWN TO THE INCREASED HUMIDITY AND TEMPERATURE BEING THE PROBABLE CULPRIT FOR THE FAILURE. HAD THAT SUNROOF HIT AND KILLED SOMEONE, THEY WOULD BE FOUND LIABLE I'M SURE AFTER THEY TRIED TO EXPLAIN THAT TO THE COURT THAT IT WAS NOT ONE OF THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. THEY SHOULD BE FORCED TO COVER THIS FAILURE. I MEAN REALLY.... WHAT ARE THE CHANCES THAT THE EXACT SAME YEAR AND MODEL WILL HAVE THIS BIZARRE FAILURE AND IT NOT BE PART OF THE SAME "IDENTIFIED" PROBLEM BY THE MANUFACTURER. I WILL DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO DETER ANYONE FROM ANY AND ALL OF THEIR PRODUCTS, TO INCLUDE SOCIAL MEDIA BOYCOTTING AND TELLING PEOPLE TO BEWARE AND STAY AWAY FROM THEM. I WILL CALL THE FTC AND MY STATES ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE NEXT.

Other Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback model years

Check your 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback VIN

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