2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Problems, Recalls & Reliability

66 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer, alongside 6 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 22/100 on the trouble index — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Engine leads the reports.

66Complaints
22/100Trouble index
6Recalls

Typical

Where 2010 sits among all Lancer years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Engine 21 complaints (32%)
Electrical 9 complaints (14%)
Brakes & stability 7 complaints (11%)
Other 7 complaints (11%)
Visibility & wipers 6 complaints (9%)
Transmission & drivetrain 4 complaints (6%)

Recalls (6)

STRUCTURE 20V279000 2020

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…

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…

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 18V069000 2018

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…

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…

VISIBILITY 18V071000 2018

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…

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.…

VISIBILITY 15V233000 2015

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…

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.…

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15V232000 2015

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…

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.…

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 14V562000 2014

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…

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.…

Technical service bulletins

110 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on engine and electrical — are on file for the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.

See the 2010 Lancer TSB list →

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

2010peak 17 in 20142023

Questions buyers ask

Is the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?

The 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer drew 66 complaints in federal safety records — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Its trouble index is 22/100, scored against the model's worst year (2002).

What are the most common 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer problems?

The top reported problems for the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer are engine (21 complaints), electrical (9), and brakes & stability (7).

Does the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer have recalls?

6 recall campaigns apply to the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.

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Data updated 2026-08-20 from NHTSA's public records

Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.