Verdict
2011 Mitsubishi Lancer: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Middle-of-the-pack complaint volume for sedan.
Owners filed 49 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 54% of 2011 sedans. Power Train leads the reports (31%). 3 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2011 sedans, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
49
Reports to NHTSA, 2011
Safety recalls
3
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Not rated
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
26
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
Fewer complaints than 54% of 2011 sedans
The bar is this car's percentile among 2011 sedans by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Power Train issues lead owner complaints (31% of 49 reports), followed by electrical system (8%).
+ 9 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 49 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11170650, ODI 11054459, ODI 11031968, ODI 10839114, ODI 10782469.
Recalls(3)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Engine And Engine CoolingDec 2014 · 14V562000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Visibility · 15V233000Details +Close −
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.
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.
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling · 18V069000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2011 Mitsubishi Lancer 4 DR FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Not rated
- Frontal
- Not rated
- Side
- Not rated
- Rollover
2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback 5 HB FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Not rated
- Frontal
- Not rated
- Side
- Not rated
- Rollover
- Not rated
2011 Mitsubishi Lancer 4 DR AWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Not rated
- Frontal
- Not rated
- Side
- Not rated
- Rollover
2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback 5 HB AWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Not rated
- Frontal
- Not rated
- Side
- Not rated
- Rollover
- Not rated
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancer | 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 25 | 33 | 28 |
| Lancer | 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 5-spd | 24 | 32 | 27 |
| Lancer | 2.4L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 23 | 30 | 26 |
| Lancer | 2.4L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 5-spd | 22 | 30 | 25 |
| Lancer | 2.0L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM6) | 18 | 25 | 20 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2011 Mitsubishi Lancer: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Owners filed 49 NHTSA complaints about the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer — fewer complaints than 54% of comparable 2011 sedans, so it sits toward the stronger end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer?
The most-reported problem areas are Power Train (31% of complaints) and electrical system (8%).
How many recalls does the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer have?
3 recalls have been issued that affect the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer, covering components such as engine and engine cooling. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer get?
The EPA rates the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer between 20 and 28 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.