The 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 383,934 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 51 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING18V0690002018-01-26141,053 affected
Defect
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Lancer, 2008-2012 Outlander, 2010-2012 Lancer Sportback, and 2011-2012 Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with either a 4B11 or 4B12 engine. The drive belt automatic tensioner flange may crack, allowing the accessory drive belt to detach.
Consequence
If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the belt tensioner with one that has an improved shape, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-001.
VISIBILITY15V2330002015-04-2076,958 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
Failure of the blower motor may reduce the performance of the windshield defroster, diminishing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace a suspect blower motor, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-15-003.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING14V5620002014-09-12165,923 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the drive belt with a rubber belt. Drive pulleys that are excessively worn will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 15, 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's…
Complaints by component
ENGINE
8
POWER TRAIN
6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
3
SEAT BELTS
3
1crashes
STEERING
3
STRUCTURE:BODY
3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3
1crashes
AIR BAGS
2
1crashes1injuries
VISIBILITY/WIPER
2
Total complaints51
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“I got a service needed warning for the electric power steering and I lost all power steering... As it turned out, the rack and pinion was bad because the subframe rotted out where the rack and pinion mounts up and a custom built subframe and rack and pinion had to be installed on the car at a cost…”
“I got a service needed warning for the electric power steering and I lost all power steering... As it turned out, the rack and pinion was bad because the subframe rotted out where the rack and pinion mounts up and a custom built subframe and rack and pinion had to be installed on the car at a cost…”
“The contact owns a 2011 mitsubishi lancer. The contact stated that while having the vehicle inspected, the front crossmember was corroded. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was…”
“Routine service at 112 mitsubishi dealer/service center noted that my front crossbar was severely corroded and “coming apart in chunksâ€�. They noted that this defect is known and was recalled on later model years of my car, but not my 2011. Considering it was recalled already and is the same…”
“Tl* the contact owns 2011 mitsubishi lancer. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, the defogger failed to operate as air stopped flowing through the vents. The contact stated that the heater, air conditioner and defogger failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was not taken to an independent…”
“Car was parked on the parking spot in the evening. Next morning car did not start for no reason. Etac ecu failure caused a return signal to be blocked on a communication channel wire. Also what was found later after a communication channel wire connections clean up, that a cooling fan started to…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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