Research · Compact Cars

2013 Mitsubishi Lancer EvolutionRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 4 owner complaints for the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Most complaints involve power train (2) and suspension (1). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
19mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Sep 2013
Owner complaints
4
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$4,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

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

4 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2014 – May 2023
  1. Power train2
  2. Suspension1
  3. Engine1

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
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

2 reports
“ACD PUMP FAIL PUMP FAILURE DUE TO KNOWN DESIGN FLAW. MANUFACTURER FAILS TO REPLACE OR RECTIFY THE DESIGN EVEN WITH MULTIPLE CASES OF PUMP FAILURE”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 18, 2017Power trainODI 11016098

Suspension

1 report
“The vehicle's right front lower control arm is no longer secured to it's inner rear mounting location at the front crossmember. This condition allows for unintended movement of the right front wheel and was caused by structural failure of the front crossmember at the control arm to chassis attachment point due to corrosion exactly as described in SR-20-003REV_2. SR-20-003REV_2 only applies to certain earlier model year vehicles of the same type and design (Lancer model years 2008-2010). Later model years 2011-2015 are not mentioned in SR-20-003REV_2. The subject of this complaint is a 2013 Lancer Evolution. SR-20-003REV_2 should be expanded to include newer model year vehicles as the remaining fleet continues to age and deteriorate. A Mitsubishi dealer has confirmed the problem. Repair estimate out of pocket cost exceeds $5500.00 (replacement parts plus 25 hours labor). The vehicle is now considered unsafe to operate on public roads and must be towed away from the dealer.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 5, 2023SuspensionODI 11520697

Engine

1 report1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE RPMS INCREASED AND METAL FRAGMENTS WERE FOUND UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,900.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 24, 2016EngineFire reportedODI 10851443
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$4,050470
Lancer Evolution
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
172319$4,050464
  • 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.
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 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 7, 2026Vehicle 7554
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

2013 Lancer Evolution questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution have?

1 safety recall 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 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution problems?

Owners filed 4 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (2), suspension (1), engine (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026