Research · Compact Cars

2015 Mitsubishi LancerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 26 owner complaints for the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer. Most complaints involve power train (8) and electrical system (6). The EPA rates it 20–29 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
20–29mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Sep 2017
Owner complaints
26
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Electrical system: relay

Free remedy

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Outlander, 2015-2016 Lancer and Outlander Sport, and 2015 Lancer Evolution vehicles. These vehicles may have defective relays that can result in an engine stall, reduced engine power or the engine overheating.

Electrical systemReported Sep 29, 2017NHTSA 17V609000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

26 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2015 – Jul 2024
  1. Power train8
  2. Electrical system6
  3. Engine5
  4. Air bags5
  5. Structure2
  6. Fuel/propulsion system2
  7. Visibility/wiper2
  8. Seat belts1
  9. Steering1

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 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2002155
2003311
200483
200524
200637
20072
200891
2009121
201085
201149
201223
20135
201423
201526
201630
20176
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
3
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

8 reports
“Without any prior warning lights or issues with the car. While i drove to work, about 10-15 miles away or 20 min drive, i came to a stop at a red light and when it turned green the car could not get into 2nd gear and would juts rev mostly in place. First gear didnt really have any pull. After a few seconds it finally took second gear but it jerked the car off causing it to stop very suddenly and thats when the service transmission light came on. I was stuck at the light for at least 5 minutes, can’t imagine that happening on the highway. I took the car to the dealership they said they found a code P183D which basically means i need a new transmission. This car has barely 90,000 miles and they are quoting me over $15,000 just for the parts. They privided me with a TSB which list my car as a year and model with known issue but told me the repairs are not covered by the manufacturer.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 12, 2022Power trainODI 11464431

Electrical system

6 reports1 crash
“WHEN I ACCELERATE THE CAR STALLS.AND THEN IT JERKS WHEN YOU DO ACCELERATE AND THIS MORNING IT STALLED OUT ON THE HIGHWAY AND I ALMOST GOT HIT I HAVE CONTACTED THE USED CAR LOT THAT I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS ISSUE I'VE HAD THE CAR FOR THREE DAYS AND I'VE CALLED IN 24 HOURS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR IT'S DANGEROUS.IN THIS HAPPENS IN SUBDIVISIONS IT HAPPENS IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS ON THE HIGHWAY EVERY TIME YOU GO TO ACCELERATE THE CAR JERKS AND THEN ACTS LIKE IT WANTS TO STALL OUT AND THEN THIS MORNING.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 9, 2019Electrical systemODI 11254047

Engine

5 reports
“About 3 weeks ago I notice that the driver seat belt didn’t wanted to click to fasten the seat belt. I notice for sometime now that the car sometimes. Kind of stall then you have to step on the gas pedal to proceed and I’m afraid someone will hit me from the back because it doesn’t go when it’s suppose to also like when you turn it stalls and then you give it gas and it goes then”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 27, 2022Seat belts, EngineODI 11471081
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
04 —Key specs

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
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Lancer
Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263329$2,200310
Lancer
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
243328$2,300318
Lancer
Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
233026$2,450347
Lancer
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223025$2,550349
Lancer AWD
Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · All-Wheel Drive
222825$2,550361
Lancer AWD
Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
182520$4,000438
  • Lancer
    Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    26 city · 33 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Lancer
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    24 city · 33 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Lancer
    Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    23 city · 30 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Lancer
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 30 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Lancer AWD
    Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 28 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Lancer AWD
    Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    18 city · 25 hwy · $4,000/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Mitsubishi 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%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 6, 2026Vehicle 9193Vehicle 9192
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

2015 Lancer questions

How many recalls does the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 6, 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 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer problems?

Owners filed 26 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (8), electrical system (6), engine (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer at 20–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

How safe is the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 6, 2026