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NHTSA Official DataUpdated: May 2026How we calculate this
Severe Issues

2017 Mitsubishi Lancer: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict

Shopping for a used 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 6 complaints, with Airbag Malfunctions as the top reported area.

6
Complaints
1
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Deaths
Recalls

2017 Mitsubishi Lancer Fuel Economy

✓ EPA Official Data

EPA-rated fuel economy across 3 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.

24
MPG City
2327 range
33
MPG Hwy
3034 range
28
MPG Combined
2630 range
322
g CO₂/mile
Regular Gasoline
💰Saves $0 vs. avg vehicle over 5 years

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 3 trims analysed.

2017 Mitsubishi Lancer Safety Ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer 4 DR FWD

Official crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.

Overall

4/5

12.1% rollover risk

Frontal Crash

4/5

Side Crash

4/5

Rollover

4/5

12.1% probability

Stability Control: StandardForward Collision Warning: NoLane Departure Warning: No

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.

Quick Answer

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer has 6 owner complaints, 1 crash-related complaints, and 0 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Airbag Malfunctions. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.

2017 Mitsubishi Lancer — key reliability facts
Make
Mitsubishi
Model
Lancer
Model year
2017
NHTSA owner complaints
6
Crash-related complaints
1
Safety recall campaigns
0
Top reported component
Airbag Malfunctions
Reliability signal
Severe Issues
EPA MPG combined
28
EPA MPG city / highway
24 / 33
Fuel type
Regular Gasoline
NHTSA overall safety rating
4/5 stars
NHTSA frontal crash rating
4/5 stars
NHTSA side crash rating
4/5 stars
NHTSA rollover rating
4/5 stars
Electronic stability control
Standard

Most Common 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer Problems

Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.

#1
3
complaints

Airbag Malfunctions

Crash-related:1
#2
2
complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

#3
1
complaints

Structural Problems

Complaint patterns center on Airbag Malfunctions, Transmission / Drivetrain, Structural Problems. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.

Should You Buy a Used 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer?

The 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.

Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.

What to Check Before Buying a Used 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer

Inspection Focus

  • Inspect airbag system and check for any open recalls related to airbags.
  • Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
  • Request service records for transmission and drivetrain repairs.
  • Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle, focusing on reported components.

Before You Close the Deal

  • Inspect airbag system and check for any open recalls related to airbags.
  • Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
  • Request service records for transmission and drivetrain repairs.
  • Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle, focusing on reported components.
  • Test all visibility and wiper systems for proper operation.

Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.

Before buying a used 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.

What the Complaint Data Suggests

Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology

Based on 6 complaints for the 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer, issues appear concentrated in airbag malfunctions and transmission/drivetrain problems. One crash-related complaint was reported, but the low complaint volume limits confidence in broader trends.

Key Findings
  • Airbag Malfunctions account for half of all complaints (3 out of 6).
  • Transmission/Drivetrain issues represent 2 complaints.
  • Only one model year (2017) was analyzed, with no recalls reported.
Top Concerns
  • Airbag Malfunctions: 3 complaints, the most frequently reported component.
  • Transmission/Drivetrain: 2 complaints, the second most common issue.
  • Structural Problems and Visibility/Wiper each have 1 complaint.
Data note: NHTSA complaints are consumer-submitted and do not confirm a manufacturing defect. Only 6 complaints for a single model year provide very limited statistical significance. No recall data is available for this vehicle.

All 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer Complaints by Category

Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
Airbag Malfunctions31
Transmission / Drivetrain2
Structural Problems1
Visibility/Wiper1

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.

Real Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Showing 6 most recent complaints

Airbag MalfunctionsFeb 13, 2026

SEE ATTACHED FILE:

Transmission / DrivetrainMay 2, 2024

Vehicle shudders and surges while driving almost rubber banding. Mechanic showing code for fluid pressure sensor. Call to local Mitsubishi dealer said transmission needs to be replaced and since we are 2nd owners the 100k mile powertrain warranty doesn’t apply. This vehicle has…

Transmission / DrivetrainJan 11, 2024

The transmission has a severe shudder and lack of power. The malfunction occurs frequently and most recently has occurred while making a left turn in an intersection when the vehicle suddenly stumbled in the middle of the intersection with oncoming traffic nearing. The problem ha…

Airbag Malfunctions💥 CrashJun 15, 2023

I was in 2 auto accidents within the same vehicle within the last month and the airbags didn't deploy either time.

Airbag MalfunctionsAug 31, 2021

Airbag light came on saying there is something wrong with my car. No recalls for this vehicle even though this is a huge safety concern and is by default a problem with how the manufacturer made the vehicle.

Structural ProblemsApr 9, 2020

I FINALLY GOT HOME TO LOOK AT MY NEW CAR AND I WANT CAR THAT HAS NO SCRATCHES OR PAINT EVEN COMING OFF SLIGHTLY.... THIS A HARDLY THING YOU CAN SEE AND MY DEFROST, WHEN IS CUT ON, MAKES A CLICK/POP NOISE EARLY IN MORNING... I WANT A CAR ALSO WITH SPORT MODE A MITSUBISHI LANCER T…

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer.

2017 Mitsubishi Lancer Recalls

0 campaigns

NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer. No recall campaigns are currently listed for this model year in the dataset, but VIN-level recall checks are still essential. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.

No recall campaigns found for this model year in the current data. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls directly for the latest information.

Compare Mitsubishi Lancer Model Years

Compare complaint and recall volume across years to see whether 2017 lands in a lower-risk or higher-risk part of the model timeline.

2017201620152014201320122011201020092008

2017 Mitsubishi Lancer Buying FAQ

Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.

Is the 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?

Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 6 owner complaints, 1 crash-related complaints, and 0 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer?

#1: Airbag Malfunctions (3 complaints). #2: Transmission / Drivetrain (2 complaints). #3: Structural Problems (1 complaints)

At what mileage do problems start on the 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer?

Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.

How safe is the 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer?

Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer, NHTSA complaints include 1 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 6 total complaints. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Does the 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer have any recalls?

No NHTSA recall campaigns were found for the 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer in the current data. Always verify with a VIN check as recalls can be added at any time.

Should I buy a 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer?

The 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Airbag Malfunctions during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.

Wider context: See the full Mitsubishi Lancer reliability report with year-by-year comparison.

Owner Reliability Rating

Rate the 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer based on your ownership experience.

Add your rating:

Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.

Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy

Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.