2013 Mitsubishi Lancer problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 5 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer has 5 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 Lancer | 85 | 6 |
| 2011 Lancer | 49 | 3 |
| 2012 Lancer | 19 | 1 |
| 2013 Lancer (this page) | 5 | 0 |
| 2014 Lancer | 23 | 0 |
| 2015 Lancer | 26 | 1 |
| 2016 Lancer | 29 | 2 |
Limited NHTSA data — only 5 complaints on file. The score reflects what's reported, but a small sample skews easily.
Only 5 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident reliability call. Could be a clean record or just thin data.
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 4 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer 4 DR FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
About a month ago service check engine light has been coming on and throws code p1875(damper speed sensor) . I've been told by Mitsubishi there is no fix for this other than purchasing a new $15,000 sst transmission from them. The car is not even worth that much by now. How is…
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…
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.
Common questions
Is the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?
Limited NHTSA data. Only 5 owner complaints have been filed for the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer, which is not enough for a meaningful reliability score. Active recalls (if any) are listed on this page and remain authoritative — those are verified defects regardless of complaint volume. For a confident reliability read we look for at least 10 owner complaints in the federal database.
Should you avoid the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Only 5 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident reliability call. Could be a clean record or just thin data. We don't issue a buy/avoid verdict on the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer without a meaningful complaint sample — doing so off a handful of filings would be guesswork.
What should I check before buying a used 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer to flag a standout failure pattern. Run the VIN for open recalls — those are free to fix regardless of warranty — get a standard pre-purchase inspection, and ask the seller for service records.
Is the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer a good used car to buy?
Hard to say from federal data alone — only 5 owner complaints have been filed. Lean on the recall list above, a pre-purchase inspection, and a vehicle-history report on the specific VIN. Our data tells you what the model is known for; a history report tells you what that exact car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer?
No problem area has crossed our reporting threshold yet, which is a good sign for this vehicle.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
Major repair items haven't been flagged often enough on this vehicle to single one out.
How do I check if my Mitsubishi Lancer has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Hard to say from NHTSA data alone with only 5 complaints on file. A quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. The decision comes down to your specific situation: vehicle cost, miles on it, how long you plan to keep it, and whether you can absorb a $3K–$8K repair without straining cashflow. With limited public data on this vehicle, lean on the recall list above and check owner forums before committing.