Reliability & cost of ownership
Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Reliability & Common Problems
How reliable is the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback? Compare every model year side by side — NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and crash-test stars where on file — then open the year you're shopping for its AI reliability outlook where NHTSA has enough data.
Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback problems by model year
12 recall entries across 4 model years and 12 owner complaints across 7 model years on file, sourced from the federal NHTSA database. We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the remaining 3 model years — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | NCAP stars | Full report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Lancer Sportback | Not confirmed | None on file at try.vin | 4.0 | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2013 Lancer Sportback | Not confirmed | 3 | 4.0 | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2012 Lancer Sportback | 1 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2011 Lancer Sportback | 3 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2010 Lancer Sportback | 6 | 1 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2009 Lancer Sportback | 2 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2004 Lancer Sportback | Not confirmed | 8 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
Most-complained-about components
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA against the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback, grouped by the component each complaint names — the fastest read on where this model gives trouble.
- electrical system5 complaints
- unknown or other5 complaints
- visibility2 complaints
- exterior lighting1 complaint
- air bags1 complaint
- visibility/wiper1 complaint
- vehicle speed control1 complaint
- engine and engine cooling1 complaint