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Mitsubishi2007–2015 Major issues documented

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X: common faults & what to check

Thinking about buying a used Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X (2007–2015) in New Zealand? We've documented 6 known faults for this model spanning engine, suspension, brakes, and electrical. Each researched and verified before it's published. The most serious issues here are rated major. Every one is listed below with its symptoms and repair cost, and each has its own page with where to look and what to ask the seller. Free, no account needed.

A Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X — example photograph; the generation is not established
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X. An example of the model — the generation is not established, and it is not the car you are looking at. Photo: Greg Gjerdingen via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.

Check this exact Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X

  • Odometer history
  • Money owing
  • Reported stolen
  • Ownership history
  • Official NZ vehicle register data
  • NZ owned and operated

Type the plate for the free basics. The full record is a paid check from $13.49, one car at a time, no subscription.

No NZ plate yet, or buying in Australia? Pick the generation and engine and start a free check below. New to KickTyres? How the check works →

6

Documented faults

Major

Most serious

$300–$800

Typical repair

4

Systems covered

Which Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X are you looking at?

Pick the year and the engine. The faults below narrow to that exact combination, because a 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way. Free, no account needed.

Which engine is in it? These cover every year of this model.

2.0L petrol (4B11)· 2.0 litre petrol

Start your free check on this Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X

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Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X

Free. The paid plate check is separate, and stays optional.

Can't confirm for this car

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X

Nothing has been narrowed yet, so nothing below is a claim about a particular car. Pick a year and an engine to see which faults apply.

Tell us the engine, or check the engine code on the car, before relying on this.

matched on no vehicle context

What to look out for

The checks worth doing on a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

  • Costly issue

    Connect a scanner and check for MIVEC or VVT fault codes.

    See why

    4B11 MIVEC Oil Control Valve Sludge Failure

    The CY4A Galant Fortis 4B11 2.0 MIVEC variable valve timing oil control valves clog with sludge from infrequent or low-quality oil changes, causing the MIVEC system to fail and illuminating a check engine light with MIVEC fault codes. The 4B11 requires oil changes every 5000km with the correct specification to prevent sludge accumulation in the narrow OCV passages.

    What you would notice

    • Check engine light with MIVEC or VVT-related fault codes at startup
    • Rough idle on cold start that improves once the engine reaches operating temperature

    Typically $300–$900 to put right.

  • Costly issue

    Inspect the boot for splitting.

    See why

    Front Lower Arm Ball Joint Wear

    Front lower arm ball joints wear causing clunking and handling imprecision.

    What you would notice

    • Clunking from front suspension over bumps
    • Imprecise handling feel when cornering

    Typically $350–$800 to put right.

  • Costly issue

    Check for pulling under braking.

    See why

    Brake Caliper Guide Pin Seizure

    Front and rear brake caliper guide pins seize from corrosion causing uneven pad wear.

    What you would notice

    • Vehicle pulling to one side under braking
    • One disc hotter than the other after moderate use

    Typically $200–$600 to put right.

  • Common issue

    Drive over rough surfaces at low speed and listen for rattle from the steering rack area.

    See why

    Electric Power Steering Rack Rattle

    EPS rack develops internal rattle at low speeds over rough surfaces.

    What you would notice

    • Knocking or rattling from steering rack at low speeds
    • Vibration through steering wheel during slow manoeuvring

    Typically $600–$2,200 to put right.

  • Common issue

    Inspect rear suspension arm bushes for cracking.

    See why

    Rear Multi-Link Bush Collapse

    Rear multi-link suspension arm bushes harden and collapse causing rear knocking.

    What you would notice

    • Knocking from rear suspension over rough surfaces
    • Imprecise rear handling feel

    Typically $400–$1,200 to put right.

  • Common issue

    Inspect throttle body bore for grey-black carbon deposits.

    See why

    Throttle Body Carbon Fouling

    4B11 throttle body butterfly and bore accumulate carbon causing rough idle and hesitation.

    What you would notice

    • Rough idle and hesitation from rest at light throttle
    • Occasional stalling when releasing throttle in traffic

    Typically $80–$300 to put right.

See all 6 documented issuesEverything researched for the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X.
Depends on which engine this Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X has — 6Each of these is documented for one particular engine. Pick the year and engine above to see which of them apply.
Engine, transmission & cooling2

014B11 MIVEC Oil Control Valve Sludge Failure

Connect a scanner and check for MIVEC or VVT fault codes.petrol2007–2015Engine
CommonEngine $300–$900 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The CY4A Galant Fortis 4B11 2.0 MIVEC variable valve timing oil control valves clog with sludge from infrequent or low-quality oil changes, causing the MIVEC system to fail and illuminating a check engine light with MIVEC fault codes. The 4B11 requires oil changes every 5000km with the correct specification to prevent sludge accumulation in the narrow OCV passages.

Symptoms to notice

  • Check engine light with MIVEC or VVT-related fault codes at startup
  • Rough idle on cold start that improves once the engine reaches operating temperature

What to check

Connect a scanner and check for MIVEC or VVT fault codes. Rough idle on cold start that improves after warm-up indicates MIVEC solenoid sludge. Ask about oil change history — intervals beyond 7500km increase sludge risk significantly.

Where to look: 4B11 MIVEC oil control valve solenoids on each cam, top of engine

Ask the seller

  • “Has the 4b11 mivec oil control valve been inspected or repaired?”

02Throttle Body Carbon Fouling

Inspect throttle body bore for grey-black carbon deposits.petrol2007–2015Engine
CommonEngine $80–$300 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

4B11 throttle body butterfly and bore accumulate carbon causing rough idle and hesitation.

Symptoms to notice

  • Rough idle and hesitation from rest at light throttle
  • Occasional stalling when releasing throttle in traffic

What to check

  1. Inspect throttle body bore for grey-black carbon deposits.
  2. Note rough idle and hesitation.

Where to look: Throttle body on intake manifold

Ask the seller

  • “Has the throttle body carbon fouling been inspected or repaired?”
Electrical1

01Electric Power Steering Rack Rattle

Drive over rough surfaces at low speed and listen for rattle from the steering rack area.2007–2015Electrical
CommonElectrical $600–$2,200 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

EPS rack develops internal rattle at low speeds over rough surfaces.

Symptoms to notice

  • Knocking or rattling from steering rack at low speeds
  • Vibration through steering wheel during slow manoeuvring

What to check

Drive over rough surfaces at low speed and listen for rattle from the steering rack area.

Where to look: Electric power steering rack assembly

Parts involved: Steering rack.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the electric power steering rack rattle been inspected or repaired?”
Body, brakes, suspension & interior3

01Front Lower Arm Ball Joint Wear

Inspect the boot for splitting.2007–2015Suspension
CommonSuspension $350–$800 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

Front lower arm ball joints wear causing clunking and handling imprecision.

The front wheel of a car splayed outward with the lower control arm hanging down after a ball joint separation.Example of the part — not this vehicle

A separated lower ball joint: the control arm has dropped and the wheel has splayed out under the guard.

Elfix · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms to notice

  • Clunking from front suspension over bumps
  • Imprecise handling feel when cornering

What to check

Inspect the boot for splitting. If a workshop inspection is possible: With vehicle raised, lever the lower arm and check for ball joint play.

Where to look: Front lower suspension control arms

Parts involved: Ball joint.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the front lower arm ball joint been inspected or repaired?”

02Brake Caliper Guide Pin Seizure

Check for pulling under braking.2007–2015Brakes
CommonBrakes $200–$600 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

Front and rear brake caliper guide pins seize from corrosion causing uneven pad wear.

Symptoms to notice

  • Vehicle pulling to one side under braking
  • One disc hotter than the other after moderate use

What to check

  1. Check for pulling under braking.
  2. Feel for uneven wheel heat.
  3. Inspect guide pins.

Where to look: Front and rear brake calipers

Parts involved: Brake disc and pads.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the brake caliper guide pin seizure been inspected or repaired?”

03Rear Multi-Link Bush Collapse

Inspect rear suspension arm bushes for cracking.2007–2015Suspension
CommonSuspension $400–$1,200 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

Rear multi-link suspension arm bushes harden and collapse causing rear knocking.

Symptoms to notice

  • Knocking from rear suspension over rough surfaces
  • Imprecise rear handling feel

What to check

  1. Inspect rear suspension arm bushes for cracking.
  2. Push arms — any movement indicates collapsed bushes.

Where to look: Rear multi-link suspension arm bushes

Ask the seller

  • “Has the rear multi-link bush collapse been inspected or repaired?”

Other Mitsubishi models

Mitsubishi Outlander47 documented faultsMitsubishi Lancer39 documented faultsMitsubishi Pajero39 documented faultsMitsubishi Legnum6 documented faultsMitsubishi Montero Sport6 documented faultsMitsubishi Triton34 documented faults

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X buyer questions

Is the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X reliable?

Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 6 documented faults for the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, the recurring problem areas are engine, suspension, and brakes. A Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.

What are the most common problems with a used Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X?

We've catalogued 6 known faults for the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, covering engine, suspension, and brakes. All 6 are written out in full on this page, with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each. Free to read, no account needed.

How much do repairs cost on a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X?

Most single repairs on the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X fall between $300–$800 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 6 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.

Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X?

Yes. A Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $24.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.