2014 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution carries 2 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering tank assembly and hose, piping, and connections. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “AWD system pump (AYC/ACD) 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.

2 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Campaign #15V546000 · Aug 31, 2015

Issue: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured January 31, 2014, to September 5, 2014, and 2014-2015 Lancer Ralliart vehicles manufactured February 3, 2014, to September 5, 2014. The affected turbocharged vehicles have a right parking brake cable that may contact the fuel tank, wearing away the tank's protective coating.

Risk: Without the protective coating, the fuel tank may rust and leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right parking brake cable, and inspect the fuel tank, free of charge. If the fuel tank's exterior coating shows signs of damage from abrasive contact with the right parking brake cable, the fuel tank will also be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2015. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-15-009.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

Campaign #14V281000 · May 27, 2014

Issue: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2014 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured January 31, 2014, through February 21, 2014, and 2014 Lancer Ralliart vehicles manufactured February 3, 2014, through February 14, 2014. The affected vehicles may have insufficient clearance between the power steering pressure tube and the crossmember brace.

Risk: Due to abrasion and rust, a hole may develop in the power steering tube, allowing the fluid to leak out, resulting in added steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the leaking fluid increases the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source such as a hot engine or exhaust component.

Fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the power steering tube for sufficient clearance. If the vehicle has insufficient clearance, the power steering tube assembly will be replaced, free of charge. The manufacturer notified owners in July 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-004.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.

Reported to NHTSA

AWD system pump (AYC/ACD) failure

POWER TRAIN

4 NHTSA complaints · 2016-09 → 2019-08

THE AYC PUMP(AWD PUMP) KEEPS SAYING IT'S GOING OUT AND THIS HAPPENS TO MULTIPLE PEOPLE. A LOT OF OTHER OWNERS HAVE THE EXACT SAME EXPERIENCE
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11241884
ACD PUMP HEAVILY CORRODED FROM NORMAL USE. THE LOCATION AND MATERIAL ARE GUARANTEED TO CAUSE CORROSION. THERE ARE EVEN AFTERMARKET RELOCATION KITS AVAILABLE. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE RECOGNIZED
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11063484
AFTER ABOUT 35,000 MILES A WARNING LIGHT CAME UP SAYING ASC SERVICE REQUIRED. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION IT TURNED OUT TO BE THAT THE AWD PUMP WAS OUT. THE LIGHT COMES ON MEANWHILE I DRIVE AROUND
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10903647

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Subframe and cross-member corrosion

STRUCTURE

2 NHTSA complaints · 2023-02 → 2024-08

The contact owns a 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, there was an abnormally loud thumping sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact pulled over the shoulder of the roadway
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11609530
The subframe on a 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer with 57,000 miles on it has rusted and cracked. This seems identical to NHTSA campaign number: 20V-279 but this year/make is not covered under recall
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11506744

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CVT slow-down message and stall

POWER TRAIN

3 NHTSA complaints · 2017-10 → 2023-10

VEHICLE HAS APROX. 100K MILES ON ODOMETER AS OF TIME OF COMPLAINT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED FOR TRANSMISSION "SLOW DOWN" MESSAGE BEFORE. VEHICLE HESITATES FOR APROX. 1-2 SEC. BEFORE MOVING FROM A STOP
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11551801
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SLOW DOWN MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AS THE VEHICLE STALLED
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11337776
VEHICLE HAS CVT TRANSMISSION AND WHEN THE CAR AND ENGINE ARE COLD THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT MOVE THE CAR. CAR REVS TO 1500-2000 RPM AMD WILL EVENTUALLY BEGIN TO CREEP FORWARD
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11035277

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Engine bay fire or smoke

POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE

3 NHTSA complaints · 2014-11 → 2019-03

ON 09/15/2018 AT ROUGHLY 11:30 AM WHILE OPERATING MY 2014 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION X WITH 32,XXX MILES I EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER, INCREASED EXHAUST NOISE AND THE ILLUMINATION OF POWERTRAIN FAULT LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11186330
ON SEPT. 15, 2017, I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN MY 2014 MITSUBISHI LANCER AND EXPERIENCED COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE (WHILE IN MOTION), CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11044251
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITHOUT ANY WARNING
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10654445

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Air bag non-deployment in frontal crash

AIR BAGS

2 NHTSA complaints · 2015-03 → 2020-03

I WAS HIT YESTERDAY WHEN SOMEONE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS GOING MAYBE 40 MPH DOWN A STRAIGHT CITY STREET BUT MY AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF WHEN I WAS HIT
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11316710
MY CAR WAS RECENTLY WRECKED GOING AROUND THE CORNER IN THE SNOW IS IT SLID OFF THE ROAD INTO A TELEPHONE POLE AND THE FIRE HYDRANT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF WHEN WE IMPACT WE WERE DOING ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10700824

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 1 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

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 2014 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.