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Research · Compact Cars

2011 Mitsubishi Lancer EvolutionRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 45 owner complaints for the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Most complaints involve power train (13) and engine (8). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Apr 2015
Owner complaints
45
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$4,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Visibility: defroster

Free remedy

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.

VisibilityReported Apr 20, 2015NHTSA 15V233000

Engine and engine cooling: belts and associated pulleys

Free remedy

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Sep 12, 2014NHTSA 14V562000

Power train: manual transmission

Free remedy

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured from December 12, 2007, through March 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the clutch master cylinder can fail.

Power trainReported Sep 19, 2013NHTSA 13V446000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

45 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2011 – Nov 2022
  1. Power train13
  2. Engine8
  3. Electrical system6
  4. Structure4
  5. Seat belts4
  6. Electronic stability control (esc)4
  7. Steering3
  8. Suspension3
  9. Fuel/propulsion system3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Lancer Evolution model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20042
200516
200634
200859
20092
201079
201145
20123
20134
201422
201526
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

13 reports
“AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN YOUR FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR OR HOLDING IT STEADY AND YOU APPLY THE PEDAL DOWN TO GO FORWARD THERE IS A DELAY AS IF THE TRANSMISSIONS TRYING TO FIND A SPEED TO GO TO. MY MECHANIC CHECKED OUT THE ENGINE ALL COMPUTERS SYSTEMS ARE GOOD AND THE ENGINE RUNS FINE HE IS LINKING IT TO THE TRANSMISSION BEING A CVT AND POSSIBLY A DEFECTIVE OR BAD DESIGN. THIS LONG DELAY HAS RESULTED IN CAUSING AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I WOULD TRY TO ACCELERATE AND THE CAR WOULD STALL OUT FOR THAT AMOUNT OF TIME THE ENGINE THAT'S NOT THE PROBLEM IT'S THE TRANSMISSION”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 17, 2019Power trainODI 11170650

Engine

8 reports
“THE VEHICLE WAS CHOSEN FROM A WEBSITE CALLED HTTPS://DRIVEYOURDREAM.TRUECAR.COM THERE WAS A SELECT A DEALER PAGE THAT FORWARDED THE PRICE AND PAYMENT PLAN TO THE SELECTED DEALER. THE CAR WAS IN EXTREMELY STRANGE CONDITION MOST LIKELY WAS SITTING A LONG TIME INTO A SOME KIND OF A VEHICLE STORAGE. SO FAR THE CAR IS WORKING OK WITH THE EXCEPTION THAT THE TRANSMISSION, ENGINE, GAS PEDAL, GEAR-SPEED-CLUTCH STICK, ARE NOT FUNCTIONING AS EXPECTED BY THE STANDARDS APPROVED BY MITSUBISHI AUTOMOTIVE USA. THE CAR CANNOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY AND IT IS CONSUMING TOO MUCH GASOLINE AND ENGINE OIL. THERE WERE SEVERAL RECALLS ABOUT THE CAR AND THEY WERE DONE BUT THE MAIN PROBLEM REGARDING ACCELERATION HAS NOT EVEN BEEN CONSIDERED AS A RECALL YET AS FAR AS I KNOW.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 31, 2019Structure, Service brakes, EngineODI 11240763

Electrical system

6 reports
“While driving the vehicle the headlights will turn off at random intervals. The passenger side rear tail light is out and remains out despite changing the bulb. Water leaks through a gap in the body into the light and the trunk. Headlights need to be reliable in order to ensure safety and visibility, especially at night and during inclement weather. My father is a retired auto mechanic and has been doing his best to troubleshoot the problem. I am experiencing financial hardship at the moment and I cannot afford to bring my vehicle anywhere that would charge. There are no warnings, the lights just stop working periodically and the tail light stopped working about a week ago.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 22, 2022Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11494649
All 2011 Lancer Evolution problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (AM6) · Manual 5-spd
Drive
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Lancer Evolution
Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
172219$4,050468
Lancer Evolution
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
172319$4,050468
  • Lancer Evolution
    Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    17 city · 22 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Lancer Evolution
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    17 city · 23 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 7, 2026Vehicle 345
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2011 Lancer Evolution questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 7, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution problems?

Owners filed 45 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (13), engine (8), electrical system (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026