The Lemon Index
201520178th generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 14,304 in the U.S. in 2016 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 5 complaints in its first 3 years.
5 owner complaints, first 3 years 25–30 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2016 Honda Civic 1062016 Toyota Corolla 322016 Hyundai Elantra 38
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 5 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 17V609000 (electrical) and 16V563000 (transmission & drivetrain) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any shudder, whine or slipping from the CVT? Ask for CVT fluid service records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Mitsubishi sent dealers 66 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Mitsubishi's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 5 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 2K to 69K miles (4K to 111K km) on the car (5 of all 5 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 37.4M views · 2008–2017 Mitsubishi Lancer
Most-watched topics
- Gauges, lights & wiring708K views
Mitsubishi Lancer 2007-2017 service light resetAutoMotiv8ed · 550K views · 3 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors284K views
Mitsubishi Lancer - EGR Repair & Cleaning - 2007-2015MINUTE DIY VIDEOS · 107K views · 5 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical260K views
2008-2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Starter Motor Replacement (How to DIY)Valley Mobile Automotive · 93K views · 4 videos - Transmission & shifter253K views
ACT Clutch Install: 2008 - 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0L and 2009 - 2017 Lancer 2.4LAdvanced Clutch · 133K views · 3 videos
Show 4 more
- Cooling system137K views
2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Thermostat ReplacementKendor Farms · 79K views · 2 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition77K views
Mitsubishi No start Issue 2009 Lancer Won't Crank...Clicks...Fixed...Peter L · 77K views - Brakes & ABS45K views
2013 Mitsubishi lancer ES brake shoes replacementSalgadation Jr · 45K views - Fuel pump, filter & tank41K views
Change Fuel Filter / Fuel Pump - Mitsubishi Lancer 2007-2015 / Proton Inspira.MYAutoDIY · 41K views
Before you buy, watch
Is the 2013 Lancer CVT any good? Positives and chronic problems.Carros do Xenão · 239K views
Top 5 Problems Mitsubishi Lancer Sedan 2008-2017 2nd Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 107K views
2009 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS CVT Hill Climb ProblemsDuffmasterFresh · 60K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2016 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Mitsubishi told dealers about
Mitsubishi sent dealers 66 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers
- This is a Technical Service Bulletin that was sent to dealers
- Shudder or surge condition possibly
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Electrical · recall issued 2017
These vehicles may have defective relays that can result in an engine stall, reduced engine power or the engine overheating.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2016
The affected vehicles are equipped with a constant velocity transmission (CVT) that, in certain driving conditions, may cause a delay in the vehicle accelerating.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Mitsubishi Lancer recall, all years · All Mitsubishi recalls
Government investigations
- ClosedElectrical overstress2019–2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Lancer 4 DR AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Mitsubishi Lancer 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,000–$2,400 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
Every Mitsubishi Lancer year. 2016 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 4 older years (2002–2007, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 9 Mitsubishi Lancer years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2016 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mitsubishi-lancer/?y=2016" title="Mitsubishi Lancer reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/mitsubishi-lancer/2016/">Lemon Index</a> (2016 Mitsubishi Lancer reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?
We can't score it: only 14,304 were sold in the U.S. in 2016 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (80%), electrical (20%) and visibility (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer have?
2 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer get?
25 to 30 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 80% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer cost in fuel a year?
About $2,000 to $2,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Mitsubishi Lancer year is better than the 2016?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2010 drew the fewest (about average).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works