2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X — Should You Buy One?
Typical asking price: $24,000–$42,000. There is 1 high-severity known issue you need to know before handing over a check.
Kestrel Take
The last Evo — the aluminum 4B11T turbo and, in MR trim, the twin-clutch SST automatic. More refined than the older Evos and appreciating as the end of a legend. The 4B11 is tougher than the 4G63 but still tune-sensitive, and the SST transmission is a real maintenance item. Buy on history.
What we checked
Checked against public records, 2026-09-25
NHTSA holds 4 owner complaints for the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, and 1 recall campaign.
That is too small a record to read a pattern from, so we are not going to pretend otherwise — with numbers this low one owner moves the percentage by a lot. What has been filed is grouped under the transmission and drivetrain (2), the suspension (1), the engine (1). Treat those as things to look at, not as the vehicle's known weaknesses. A thin file usually means few of these were sold or few owners filed. It is not evidence the vehicle is trouble-free, and the issues below are our own research rather than a reading of this record.
One recall campaign covers this model year. Recalls are repaired free, for any owner, with no time limit on most safety campaigns — but only if someone books it in. Ask the seller to show it was done, or have any dealer check the VIN; it takes them a couple of minutes and costs nothing.
Counts come from the NHTSA complaint and recall database — free, public, and worth checking yourself.
Known Issues for the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X
Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents. How we decide that.
The SST dual-clutch needs specific fluid service; neglect causes clutch and mechatronic problems that are expensive. Verify the service history, or choose the manual GSR.
Repair cost (estimate): $500 service, $4,000+ for clutch/mechatronic
Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the transmission and drivetrain (2).
Most were modified and many tracked; verify the tune, compression, and build.
Repair cost: Not yet priced
Source: not yet checked against public records.
Fast, crashed cars return with washed titles; verify carefully.
Repair cost: Not yet priced
Source: not yet checked against public records.
Launches wear the AWD driveline and (manual) clutch; verify condition.
Repair cost (estimate): $1,000-$3,500
Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the transmission and drivetrain (2).
Walk-Away Red Flags
- ✗No SST service history on an MR
- ✗Aggressive tune with no records
- ✗Salvage title
- ✗AWD driveline noise
Good Signs
- ✓Documented SST service or a manual GSR
- ✓Stock or documented build
- ✓Adult-owned with records
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Found a specific Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X?
This page covers what goes wrong on the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X in general. A free read looks at the one you're considering— it checks that seller's asking price against the market and names the issues that matter most for this exact year.
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Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.
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