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Mitsubishi Lancer VIN Number Check

A free NHTSA vPIC decode tells you which Mitsubishi Lancer you are looking at. Then check its model year against 21 NHTSA recall campaigns and what owners have reported.

VIN prefixJA3

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Vinny, the VinNumber key mascot
Mitsubishi Lancer

About the Mitsubishi Lancer

Mitsubishi sold the Lancer in the US for model years 2002–2017. Across those years NHTSA lists 21 vehicle recall campaigns and 1,186 owner complaints. The 2003 has the most complaints of any model year (298). EPA rates it at 18–30 mpg combined. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2002–2017
EPA classCompact Cars
NHTSA recall campaigns21
Owner complaints1,186 at NHTSA
Mitsubishi Lancer photographed at a US vehicle auction
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations

Mitsubishi Lancer at a glance

One generation in the data, 2002–2017: 21 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,186 owner complaints.

1 / 1
Lancer
2002–2017Compact Cars
Mitsubishi Lancer (2002–2017)

Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

2002200520102015
2002–2017

Mitsubishi Lancer

EPA classCompact Cars
EPA combined mpg18–30
NHTSA recalls21

Engines (EPA)

  • 1.6 L 4-cyl · 2002–2003
  • 2.0 L 4-cyl · 2002–2017
  • 2.0 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2003–2006, 2008–2015
  • 2.4 L 4-cyl · 2004–2006, 2009–2017

Drive & transmission (EPA)

  • AWD/4WD, FWD
  • automatic (2002–2009), manual (2002–2017), CVT (2008–2017), automated manual/dual-clutch (2010–2015)

Known issues to check

Powertrain (transmission, driveline) (354)Engine and cooling (164)Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors) (150)7 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 1,186 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · LancerJA3AH86F?3U······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, built in Mizushima, Japan
Check a Lancer VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Lancer model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 21 campaigns on file for Lancer model years 2002–2017, and the 2009 shows up in more of them than any other year (10), ahead of the 2008 (7). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

2009
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recallCanada only
Pick a row
What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Mitsubishi Lancer owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2003 and 2008 hold 448 of the 1,186 complaints, or 38%. Tap any bar or generation.

1,186NHTSA complaints, 2002–2017
103mention a crash
16mention a fire
75injuries reported
Owner complaints by model yearLancer: 1,186 complaints · most for the 2003 (298)

Top complaint areas · Lancer

Mentions in 1,186 complaints, 2002–2017.

Powertrain (transmission, driveline)354
Engine and cooling164
Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors)150
Air bags124
Electrical system99
Suspension92
Crashes 103Fires 16Injuries 75

2002–2017

NHTSA data summary

The 2003 is the outlier. On its own it has 298 of the ’s 1,186 complaints (25%), more than any other Lancer model year, and owners across the generation name powertrain most often (354 mentions), then engine and cooling (164).

What Lancer owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2008–2017 (CY generation)

Mitsubishi ended the Lancer in the US after the 2017 model year. CarComplaints has few reports, so the data is thin. The 2008 and 2009 draw the most NHTSA complaints, and the clearest pattern is rust on the front cross member that can let a lower control arm break loose, mostly in road salt states. Owners also report air bag warning lights, failed brake lights and transmission trouble. CarComplaints lists a rotted subframe, a poorly designed bumper and an air bag warning light for 2008. Recalls cover the corroded cross member, sunroof glass that may detach and brake booster check valves. [1] [2] [3]

What to check before buying

  • Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the front cross member, sunroof glass and brake booster recalls.
  • Put the car on a lift and check the front cross member, control arm mounts and subframe for heavy rust or repairs.
  • Confirm the air bag light goes out after starting, check that all brake lights work and watch for harsh or slipping shifts on the drive.
Sources (3) and method
Sources:
  1. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer
  2. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
  3. CarComplaints.com, 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer problems

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

Lancer complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Every Lancer version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.

1,186complaints, 2002–2017
103mention a crash
16mention a fire
75injuries reported
2complaints report a death
Most complaints: 2003 (298), 2008 (150), 2002 (148)
148’02298’03’05150’08’10’15

2003 · 298 complaints

Crashes 14 · fires 1 · injuries 13

Power train116
Visibility75
Electrical system21
Structure21
Unknown or other18

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Lancer CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 113 Lancer versions for model years 2002–2017. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 295 g/mi (2017). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

Lancer2002–2017

18–30 mpg · CO₂ 295–494 g/mi

2016
30combined MPG
298CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$2,250EPA yearly fuel cost
5–7/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
7/10Greenhouse gas rating
Bin 5 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 70 · LEV-II LEV · LEV-III ULEV70Emission standard
Cleanest gas version of 2016: Lancer · Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L — 30 MPG · 298 g/mi
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
2503003504004502005201020152002 · Gas: 3422003 · Gas: 3422004 · Gas: 3292005 · Gas: 3422006 · Gas: 3422007 · Gas: 3422008 · Gas: 3702009 · Gas: 3552010 · Gas: 3422011 · Gas: 3172012 · Gas: 3172013 · Gas: 3112014 · Gas: 3112015 · Gas: 3102016 · Gas: 2982017 · Gas: 295
Gas

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Lancer vs Ford Focus vs Toyota Corolla

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2002–2017. NHTSA lists 21 recall campaigns for the Lancer, against 30 for the Ford Focus and 35 for the Toyota Corolla. Pick a range to compare.

Mitsubishi Lancer

Model years 2002–2017

NHTSA recall campaigns
21
NHTSA owner complaints
1,186
EPA combined mpg
18–30
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 1.6, 2.0, 2.4 L
Also listed
turbo
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating
4★ overall (2017)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 354
  2. Engine and cooling 164
  3. Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors) 150

Ford Focus

Model years 2002–2017

NHTSA recall campaigns
30
NHTSA owner complaints
16,018
EPA combined mpg
20–34
Engines (EPA)
3-cyl 1.0 L · 4-cyl 2.0, 2.3 L · Electric
Also listed
turbo
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating
5★ overall (2017)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 6,303
  2. Electrical system 2,589
  3. Engine and cooling 2,380

Toyota Corolla

Model years 2002–2017

NHTSA recall campaigns
35
NHTSA owner complaints
8,984
EPA combined mpg
24–34
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 1.8, 2.4 L
Drive (EPA)
FWD
NHTSA crash rating
5★ overall (2017)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Air bags 4,171
  2. Steering 1,037
  3. Speed control / acceleration 1,016

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Mitsubishi Lancer VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a Lancer

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

White Mitsubishi Lancer (tenth generation) sedan, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

Lancer carries its VIN at the base of the driver's side windshield, on the door jamb sticker, and on a trunk lid label. Lancer Evolution variants carry a firewall stamp in the engine bay; cross-reference it with the dashboard plate.

  1. Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
    Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
  2. Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
    Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ

Common Mitsubishi Lancer VIN questions

Which Mitsubishi Lancer model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2003 leads with 298, ahead of the 2008 (150) and 2002 (148). Those first two alone make up 38% of the 1,186 Lancer complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Mitsubishi Lancer had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 21 vehicle campaigns for model years 2002–2017, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns.

Which Mitsubishi Lancer recalls are high risk?

17V-569 and 16V-334 cover air bag inflators that can rupture. 18V-220 covers an air bag inflator module and how it deploys. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 05V-335, 09V-349, 14V-281 and 15V-546. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

What fuel economy does the Mitsubishi Lancer get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2002–2017 Lancer at 18–30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Mitsubishi Lancer compare with the Ford Focus and Toyota Corolla on recalls?

For 2002–2017 models the Lancer has 21 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Ford Focus has 30, the Toyota Corolla 35. Complaints run 1,186, 16,018 and 8,984 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Mitsubishi Lancer have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2017 Lancer 4 stars overall. Both rated versions, FWD and AWD, get that score.

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