2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Safety Report
2015 MITSUBISHI LANCER Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (26) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 5 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Power Train | Compare power train issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2017 | Compare against the 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer with 6 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2016 | Check the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer before buying across this generation. |
Mitsubishi Lancer Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Mitsubishi Lancer years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer | 29 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer | 6 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Power Train
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Mitsubishi onlyAir Bags
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Mitsubishi onlyElectrical System,Unknown Or Other
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Unknown Or Other issues Mitsubishi onlyUnknown Or Other
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Mitsubishi onlyElectrical System
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Mitsubishi onlyEngine
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Mitsubishi onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer
Reliability Score
The 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter Assembly Relay Recalled by Mitsubishi for the 2015-2017 Outlander and 2015-2016 Lancer models, this issue affects the power train. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Rear Subframe Rust Severe rusting of the rear subframe has been reported, leading to structural integrity issues. |
High | Occasional | 0-100k miles |
| Clutch Failure Clutch failure has been reported, often requiring replacement around 30,000 to 60,000 miles. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Ayc/Acd Pump Failure The AYC/ACD pump has been documented to fail, causing issues with the power steering, cooling, and AC systems. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer:
Recalled for the 2015-2017 Outlander and 2015-2016 Lancer models.
Severe rusting and structural issues have been reported.
Fails around 30,000 to 60,000 miles.
Fails around 30,000 to 60,000 miles.
Recall Details for the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer by NHTSA:
Summary: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Outlander, 2015-2016 Lancer and Outlander Sport, and 2015 Lancer Evolution vehicles. These vehicles may have defective relays that can result in an engine stall, reduced engine power or the engine overheating.
Consequence: If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected relays, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-005.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 5 complaints involved crashes. 3 reported injuries or fatalities.
Needs a new motor. I know other 2015 Mitsubishi lancers were recalled for the same reason and this one should be also.
I was working on my 2015 Mitsubishi this weekend when i noticed how bad the rear subframe is rusted away. It actually has a crack along it from rusting. I do know there was a recall on the from crossmember for the same exact reason. If that were to break it could be fatal on a highway. I am currently trying to figure out what to do now since it is very unsafe.
The rear crossmember subframe is rusted out very badly, and has all the rear axel and components attached to it. This is very unacceptable for car that cost nearly 40 grand.
About 3 weeks ago I notice that the driver seat belt didn’t wanted to click to fasten the seat belt. I notice for sometime now that the car sometimes. Kind of stall then you have to step on the gas pedal to proceed and I’m afraid someone will hit me from the back because it doesn’t go when it’s suppose to also like when you turn it stalls and then you give it gas and it goes then
Without any prior warning lights or issues with the car. While i drove to work, about 10-15 miles away or 20 min drive, i came to a stop at a red light and when it turned green the car could not get into 2nd gear and would juts rev mostly in place. First gear didnt really have any pull. After a few seconds it finally took second gear but it jerked the car off causing it to stop very suddenly and t...
THE AYC/ACD PUMP ON MY VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING. VEHICLE ON HAS 33,000 MILES ON IT. THE FAILURE OF THIS PUMP IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON THE EVOLUTION X PLATFORM. THERE IS CURRENT RECALLS FOR OTHER EVOLUTION X YEARS THAT SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE THE 2015 MODEL. THE FAILURE IS DO IN PART TO CORROSION CAUSED BY THE LOCATION OF THE PUMP AND THE ABILITY FOR WATER, SNOW AND SALT TO GET ON AND INTO THE PU...
I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE WITH 200 MILES ON IT AT 700 MILES TOOK IT IN FOR LATCHES AND RATTLES. SINCE THAT HAIR EVERY 8K MIKES IT NEEDED A NEW CLUTCH AT 22K MILES MADTER SLAVE FAILED TRANSMISSION STARTED TO GIVE OUT AT 28K MILES. PLEASE REVIVE SAWC EVERY 1,000 MILES I'VE OWNED THAT CAR MITSUBISHI STATED NO PROBLEMS FOUND AT THIS TIME. BUT IT WAS VERY NOTICEABLE ONCE DRIVEN. I WORKED FOR ELDER MITSUSH...
WHEN YOU GO TO YOU PRESS ON THE GAS IT STARTS TO STALL OUT. THIS STARTED 24 HOURS AFTER I DRIVE OFF FROM USED CAR LOT. AND UPON FURTHER REVIEW, IT DID HAVE A RECALL AND THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT. HOWEVER IT'S DOING EXACTLY WHAT THE RECALL STATES.ITS DANGEROUS AND I HAVE BEEN CLOSE TO GETTING HIT BECAUSE THE CAR STALLS OUT.
WHEN I ACCELERATE THE CAR STALLS.AND THEN IT JERKS WHEN YOU DO ACCELERATE AND THIS MORNING IT STALLED OUT ON THE HIGHWAY AND I ALMOST GOT HIT I HAVE CONTACTED THE USED CAR LOT THAT I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS ISSUE I'VE HAD THE CAR FOR THREE DAYS AND I'VE CALLED IN 24 HOURS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR IT'S DANGEROUS.IN THIS HAPPENS IN SUBDIVISIONS IT HAPPENS IN RESIDENTIAL ARE...
TENSIONER BROKE RELEASING THE SERPENTINE BELT. LOST POWER STEERING, COOLING AND AC. CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IMMOBILE. ENDED UP TAKING UR TO SHOP AND THEY FOUND THE CRACKED TENSIONER AND RUINED BELT THAT ONLY HAD ABOUT 10K MILES
'TAKATA RECALL' I RAN INTO A TREE AT 55MPH AND HIT A TREE. WHEN I HIT THE TREE THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT 1130 AT NIGHT NO RAIN OR ANYTHING. I HIT A DEER AT 72 MPH LOTS OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT AND DRIVERSIDE.. MY SEST BELT WAS LOCKED BUT NOT ONE OF MY AIR BAGS COME OUT..
CAR HAS ONLY BEEN DRIVEN JUST UNDER 6 MONTHS WITH NO ABUSE AND WITH JUST AT 10,000 MILES THE CLUTCH FAILED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER CLAIM WEAR ITEM. IF THE CAR HAD 40,00 OR MORE MILES I MIGHT ACCEPT, BUT THEY BUILT A CAN WITH AN ENGINE THAT PRODUCES OVER 300 FT.LBS. OF TORQUE, AND APPARENTLY INSTALLED A CLUTCH AND PRESSURE PLATE THAT DOES NOT HAVE ADEQUATE CLAMPING AND HOLDING ABILITIES FOR TH...
VEHICLE WILL AT RANDOM MAKE A CLICKING NOISE, WHILE ALL LIGHTS ON DASH WILL FLICKER ON & OFF. IF CAR IS IN DRIVE, IT WILL NOT SHUT OFF. HOWEVER, WHEN IN PARK, IF THE CLICKING/FLASHING OCCURS, THE CAR WILL SHUTOFF & NOT TURN BACK ON. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MITSUBISHI DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, TO WHICH THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER SOLVED. CAR HAS BEEN STALLED OUT COMPLETELY (WILL NOT TURN ON AT ALL EXCEPT CLI...
CVT TRANSMISSION; VEHICLE HAS 45K MILES, NO RECALL WAS RECORDED FOR MY VIN BUT I CLEARLY EXPERIENCE THE STATED SYMPTOMS OF THE COMMUNICATION LOSS BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THERE IS A BRIEF "HESITATION " FAILURE TO MOVE. WHEN HIGHWAY DRIVING, ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE TO PASS THERE IS ALSO "HESITATION ". MY LAST CONCERN UNMENTIONED BY THE MANUFACTURER IS THE CONSTAN...
SON WAS DRIVING VEHICLE REAR ENDED A VEHICLE, AT 35 MPH, ROLLED MITSUBISHI 8 TO 9 TIMES, SLED ON ROOF ABOUT 50 FEET BEFORE COMING TO A STOP UP SIDE DOWN. AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. NOT EVEN WHEN THE TOW TRUCK FLIPPED CAR RIGHT SIDE UP.
THE VEHICLE "STUMBLES" DURING ACCELERATION AFTER COMPLETE STOP OR AFTER MAKING A LOW SPEED TURN. THE ISSUE HAS NO SYSTEMATIC REGULARITY AND WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH WEATHER CONDITIONS, TYPE AND ORIGIN OF GASOLINE, OR ANY COMMON ROAD CONDITIONS. THIS CAR WAS CHECKED BY GREEN COUNTRY MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP AT BIXBY, OKLAHOMA TWO TIMES. NO MALFUNCTIONS, DEFECTS, OR ERROR CODES WERE DETECTED. SO FAR, NO...
ALL WHEEL DRIVE NOT WORKING. FAILED WHILE DRIVING IN THE SNOW, SLIPPERY CONDITIONS. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS. THE AWD CENTER DIFF PUMP IS MOUNTED BEHIND THE REAR TIRE WHERE DEBRIS IS CONTINUALLY PRESENT. REPLACING THE PUMP IS NOT A PERMANENT FIX. *TR
I WAS TRAVELING ALONG 20 MILES BELOW THE SPEED LIMIT HAD A DEER JUMPED OUT IN FRONT OF ME I SWEAR TO MISS IT MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WENT OFF THE ASPHALT AND INTO SOFT DIRT AND MY CAR HIGH CENTERED ON THE RAISED LIP OF THE ROAD AND SLID DOWN THE HILLSIDE LANDING INTO TREES BOTH GOING FORWARD AND TOWARDS THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR STOPPING BECAUSE OF TREES IT DESTROYED THE FRONT END THE ENTIRE ...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE TURNED 360 DEGREES AND CRASHED INTO A LAMP POST ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IN...
Showing 20 of 26 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module
Opened 2019-04-19 · Closed 2024-09-19
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Elec...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer
Has the 2015 MITSUBISHI LANCER been recalled?
Yes, the 2015 MITSUBISHI LANCER has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2015 MITSUBISHI LANCER have?
The 2015 MITSUBISHI LANCER has 26 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 5 involved crashes. 3 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2015 MITSUBISHI LANCER?
The 2015 MITSUBISHI LANCER received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 4/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 MITSUBISHI LANCER?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2015 MITSUBISHI LANCER involve power train (5 complaints), air bags (4 complaints), electrical system,unknown or other (3 complaints). Other affected components include unknown or other, electrical system, engine.
How many crash reports does the 2015 MITSUBISHI LANCER have?
There are 5 crash reports associated with the 2015 MITSUBISHI LANCER out of 26 total complaints (19.2% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2015 MITSUBISHI LANCER have?
There are no fire reports for the 2015 MITSUBISHI LANCER in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2015 MITSUBISHI LANCER?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2015 MITSUBISHI LANCER.
How many injuries are reported for the 2015 MITSUBISHI LANCER?
3 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2015 MITSUBISHI LANCER. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2015 MITSUBISHI LANCER?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2015 MITSUBISHI LANCER is generally recommended. It has 26 complaints, 1 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2015 MITSUBISHI LANCER?
The components with the most failures on the 2015 MITSUBISHI LANCER are: 1. POWER TRAIN (5 complaints), 2. AIR BAGS (4 complaints), 3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3 complaints), 4. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2 complaints). POWER TRAIN is the single most-reported problem area with 5 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2015 MITSUBISHI LANCER?
Be aware of potential recalls and structural issues, especially with the rear subframe and clutch. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2015 MITSUBISHI LANCER has 26 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).
How reliable is the 2015 MITSUBISHI LANCER?
The 2015 MITSUBISHI LANCER receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 26 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 5 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Starter Assembly Relay and Rear Subframe Rust.
What are the known issues with the 2015 MITSUBISHI LANCER?
Known issues with the 2015 MITSUBISHI LANCER include: Starter Assembly Relay, Rear Subframe Rust, Clutch Failure, AYC/ACD Pump Failure. These are based on patterns found across 26 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Yes, there are recalls for the starter assembly relay, particularly for the 2015-2017 Outlander and 2015-2016 Lancer models.
What are the common issues with the rear subframe?
The rear subframe is prone to severe rusting and structural issues, leading to cracks and potential safety hazards.
How often do the clutches fail?
Clutches often fail around 30,000 to 60,000 miles, requiring replacement.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential recalls and structural issues, especially with the rear subframe and clutch. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer. The data includes 26 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 5 reported crashes, 3 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 4 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16