Research · Compact Cars
2013 Mitsubishi LancerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 5 owner complaints for the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer. Most complaints involve power train (2) and engine (2). The EPA rates it 20–28 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.
Combined MPG
20–28mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
5
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer as of Nov 6, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
5 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2018 – Jun 2020
- Power train2
- Engine2
- Service brakes1
- Air bags1
- Electronic stability control (esc)1
- Other / unknown2
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Power train
2 reports
“WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP CAR HAS SEVERE HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING AND SHIFTING. ITS EVEN WORSE WHEN THE A/C IS RUNNING. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES TO BE TOLD ITS THE TYPE OF TRANSMISSION IT IS (CVT). I KNOW THIS IS NOT THE CASE WHEN A PERSON ON A BICYCLE CAN TAKE OFF AT A RED LIGHT FASTER THEN MY CAR I KNOW THERE ID A PROBLEM. I KNOW THEY RECALLED THE TRANSMISSION ON YEARS PRIOR UP TO 2012 LANCERS BUT THE 2013 HAS THE SAME TRANSMISSION”
Engine
2 reports
“TAKATA RECALL- ABS LIGHT IS ON PER RECALL IT HAS TO DO WITH AIR BAG INFLATOR IN OTHER MITSUBISHI CARS. ALSO THE STALLS AND SHUTS DOWN AND OVER HEATS. THIS HAS BEEN NOTICED. THIS IS THE TIME IT HAPPENED.”
Service brakes
1 report
“MASTER CYLINDER CLUTCH IS FAULTY CAUSING THE PROBLEMS IN SHIFTING OUT OF PARK. AN ARTICLE ONLINE STATED THERE WAS A RECALL FROM 2008-2013 REGARDING THIS ISSUE. WHY IS MY VIN NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. PER WEB ARTICLE RETRIEVED 06/10/2020 : HTTPS://WWW.EDMUNDS.COM/CAR-NEWS/2008-13-MITSUBISHI-LANCER-EVOLUTION-RECALLED-BECAUSE-CLUTCH-MASTER-CYLINDER-CAN-FAIL.HTML, WRITTEN BY [XXX] 10/28/2013 *TR”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
6 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl · 2.4L 4-cyl · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Transmissions
- Automatic (AV-S6) · Manual 5-spd · Automatic (AM6)
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline · 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 6, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancer Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 33 | 28 | $2,300 | 311 |
| Lancer Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 33 | 28 | $2,300 | 318 |
| Lancer Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 30 | 26 | $2,450 | 347 |
| Lancer Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 30 | 25 | $2,550 | 349 |
| Lancer AWD Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 25 | $2,550 | 361 |
| Lancer Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | $4,000 | 438 |
- 28mpg comb.
- 28mpg comb.
- 26mpg comb.
- 25mpg comb.
- 25mpg comb.
- 20mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5Mitsubishi Lancer 4 DR FWD
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 4 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 12.1%
Overall
4 / 5
Mitsubishi Lancer 4 DR AWD
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 4 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 12.1%
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat 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.
2013 Lancer questions
How many recalls does the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 6, 2026.
What are the most common 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer problems?
Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (2), engine (2), service brakes (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer get?
The EPA rates the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer at 20–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).
How safe is the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer 4 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 6, 2026