2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution carries 3 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering belts and associated pulleys and fan/motor. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “AYC/ACD pump failure.” Mitsubishi publishes short, conservative intervals: oil every 7,500 miles normal / 3,750 severe, and — unlike many rivals — an explicit CVT fluid replacement schedule rather than a 'lifetime fill' claim. Read the severe-service column honestly: stop-and-go city trips, short hops, and hot climates all qualify, and they describe how most Mirages actually live. The 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty stays intact only with documented on-schedule service.

3 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

Campaign #14V562000 · Dec 9, 2014

Issue: 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 pulley and belt arrangement for turning the alternator, the cooling fan and the power steering pump (if equipped). These pulleys may experience unusual wear and allow for belt detachment.

Risk: If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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 number for this recall is SR-14-009.

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

Campaign #15V233000 · Apr 20, 2015

Issue: 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 7, 2011, 2009-2011 Outlander vehicles manufactured February 10, 2009, to June 22, 2011, and 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured August 26, 2010, to November 19, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the blower motor may fail.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

Campaign #13V446000 · Sep 19, 2013

Issue: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured from December 12, 2007, through March 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the clutch master cylinder can fail.

Risk: Failure of the clutch master cylinder reduces the ability to shift the vehicle into or out of gear, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected clutch master cylinders free of charge. The recall began on November 12, 2013. Owners may contact Mitsubishi at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's campaign number for this recall is SR-13-009.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.

Reported to NHTSA

AYC/ACD pump failure

POWER TRAIN, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

9 NHTSA complaints · 2013-06 → 2015-07

MY CAR BEGAN TO HAVE A FLASHING ACTIVE YAW CONTROL LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT AYC/ACD PUMP WAS FAILING DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE AWD STOPS FUNCTIONING, SO THE CAR IS NOW IN TWO WHEEL DRIVE MODE. MITSUBISHI MOUNTED THE AYC PUMP IN
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10542370
THE ISSUE FIRST PRESENTED ITSELF AS A FLASHING ALL WHEEL CONTROL INDICATOR LIGHT AT APPROXIMATELY 35,000 MILES WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS INITIALLY AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE THAT OCCURRED ONLY OCCASIONALLY. I ARRIVED HOME FROM MY TRIP AND WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP AT 36,200 MILES
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10633477
MONDAY MORNING I WARMED UP MY CAR FOR 5 MINUTES. STARTED TO DRIVE MY CAR FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS, AWD SERVICE REQUIRED POPPED UP ON MY DISPLAY. I STOPPED THE CAR AND BROUGHT IT BACK HOME. LOOKED UP WHAT THE ISSUE COULD BE AND FOUND OUT THAT THE ACD PUMP HAS FAILED. THIS IS A WELL
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10621577

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Engine cooling recall repair parts unavailable

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

6 NHTSA complaints · 2014-10 → 2015-07

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V562000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10681333
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MITSUBISHI LANCIER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V562000 (ENGINE). HOWEVER, THE NEEDED PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO INFORM WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10651653

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Front subframe and crossmember corrosion

STRUCTURE

3 NHTSA complaints · 2021-08 → 2022-09

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
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11484709
Routine service at 112 Mitsubishi Dealer/Service Center noted that my front crossbar was severely corroded and “coming apart in chunks”. 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
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11428338

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Seat belt latch and retractor failure

SEAT BELTS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2012-10 → 2015-12

THE DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT MECHANISM WILL NOT LATCH PROPERLY. IT IS NOT SECURE AND DANGEROUS. *TR
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10493622
WENT TO PUT CHILD IN CAR SEAT AND THE SEATBELT WON'T RETRACT BACK. *TR
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10481024

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Transmission hesitation and clutch failure

POWER TRAIN

5 NHTSA complaints · 2012-02 → 2019-01

AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN YOUR FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR OR HOLDING IT STEADY AND YOU APPLY THE PEDAL DOWN TO GO FORWARD THERE IS A DELAY AS IF THE TRANSMISSIONS TRYING TO FIND A SPEED TO GO TO. MY MECHANIC CHECKED OUT THE ENGINE ALL COMPUTERS SYSTEMS ARE GOOD AND THE ENGINE RUNS FINE
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11170650
THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT INTO GEAR EASILY AS WELL AS JUMPS OUT OF FIRST GEAR WHEN TAKING OFF FROM STOP. WHEN SHIFTING INTO 3RD AND 5TH IT IS DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO WHILE MOVING. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN DRIVING. ALL UPPER GEARS ARE DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO. THE
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11054459

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Fuel odor and fuel pump housing leak

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

3 NHTSA complaints · 2016-12 → 2019-08

AFTER FILLING UP ON GASOLINE, MY 4 YEAR OLD MENTIONED THAT SHE SMELLED GAS IN THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY GOT HOME AND PULLED INTO MY GARAGE AND SMELLED IT, TOO. THEN NEXT MORNING, MY GARAGE WAS OVERWHELMED WITH THE FUMES. AFTER HAVING A MECHANIC INSPECT THE CAR, HE FOUND GAS WAS
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11053369
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED AT ANY SPEED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10933941

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Electrical no-start and exterior lighting malfunction

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING

3 NHTSA complaints · 2014-06 → 2022-11

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
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11494649
LETTER FROM SENATOR TOOMEY ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2011 MITSUBISHI (ATTN: ROBERT SIMPSON). *SMD ACCORDING TO THE INVOICES, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, AND THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS. *JB
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10594068

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Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 7,500 mi

Replace every 7,500 miles normal / 3,750 severe. Mirage's 1.2L three-cylinder holds barely over 3 quarts — small sumps punish stretched intervals. 0W-20 on most recent models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

CVT Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Mitsubishi schedules CVT fluid replacement — commonly every 60,000 miles normal / 30,000 severe (check your year's table). Use only the specified CVT fluid (J4/CVTF-J4 family); generic ATF destroys the belt-and-pulley unit.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate with every oil change. Light Mirages are easy on tires but the economy-focused OEM rubber wears fast when neglected.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors/drums, and lines at each service — Mirage G4 retains rear drums, which need periodic adjustment checks.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 2-3 years per the schedule. Cheap job, big ABS-unit insurance.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Iridium plugs commonly every 60,000 miles on the Mirage's 3A92 and Lancer's 4B11 — verify your year's table, as some engines list up to 105,000.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Mitsubishi's schedule replaces the engine air filter every 15,000 miles — shorter than most brands, and a 5-minute DIY on the Mirage.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Drive Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles and replace on cracking. The Mirage's single serpentine belt also drives the A/C — a failure strands the car's accessories at once.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace every 15,000 miles, behind the glovebox. Often skipped at quick-lube visits — worth checking if airflow feels weak.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement

Every 60,000 mi

First change around 60,000 miles, then roughly every 30,000-45,000 per the schedule. Mitsubishi long-life coolant or equivalent OAT for your year.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Small-battery economy cars have little reserve — the first cold snap finds a weak one.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution reflects Mitsubishi's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.