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Research · Small Station Wagons

2013 Mitsubishi Lancer SportbackRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 3 owner complaints for the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback. Most complaints involve power train (1). The EPA rates it 25–27 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

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Combined MPG
25–27mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
3
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

3 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2018 – Mar 2022
  1. Power train1
  2. Other / unknown2

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 Sportback model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20048
200998
201056
20133
201416
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

1 report
“VEHICLE HESITATES DURING ACCELERATION, CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH A CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION, HESITATION IS EXTREMELY SEVERE AT MUCH LOWER SPEEDS, OFTEN THE CAR WILL LUNGE FORWARD AT A SEVERE RATE BECAUSE THE ACCELERATOR WILL BE ALMOST TO THE FLOOR IN AN ATTEMPT TO OVERCOME THE HESITATION, VEHICLE DOES THIS EVERY TIME, IT ISN'T AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AND I'VE ALREADY HAD A MECHANIC EXPRESS CONCERN ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION "SHIFTING VERY FUNNY" DURING A TRANSMISSION FLUID EXCHANGE DONE A FEW WEEKS PRIOR. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THE CAR IS ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA, THIS ISSUE EXISTS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 1, 2020Power trainODI 11352420
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Station Wagons
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl · 2.4L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular 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 Oct 30, 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 Sportback
Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
243227$2,400326
Lancer Sportback
Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
222825$2,550361
  • Lancer Sportback
    Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    24 city · 32 hwy · $2,400/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Lancer Sportback
    Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 28 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback 5 HB FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
4 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
12.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 7555
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 Sportback questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 30, 2026.

What are the most common 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback problems?

Owners filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback at 25–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026