The 2010 Evo X is a legendary AWD rocket built on the 4B11T turbo motor and SST dual-clutch or 5-speed manual. Notorious for lifter tick, transmission mounts that shred, and transfer case pump failures—especially on modded or hard-driven examples.
Valve Lifter Tick and Cam Lobe Wear (4B11T)
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Loud ticking from valve cover at cold start, persists after warm-up, Check engine light with P0365 or P0390 (cam position sensor codes), Loss of power and rough idle if cam lobes are damaged
Fix: Replace all lifters, inspect cam lobes; if worn, cylinder head R&R and resurface required. Budget 12-16 hours labor for full head-off repair with new lifters, cams if needed, and timing chain while you're in there.
Estimated cost: $3,000-5,500
SST Dual-Clutch Transmission Shudder and Overheating
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Shudder or clunk during 1-2 or 2-3 shifts, especially in stop-and-go, Transmission overheat warning light on track days or spirited driving, Slipping clutches, delayed engagement
Fix: SST clutch pack replacement or full rebuild if driven hard. Overheating requires transmission oil cooler upgrade (often DIY mod). Factory fluid changes every 15k-20k miles help but won't save worn clutches. Expect 20+ hours labor for clutch pack replacement.
Estimated cost: $4,000-7,000
Transfer Case Rear Pump Seal Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Whining or grinding noise from center of vehicle during acceleration, Gear oil leak at rear of transfer case, AYC or AWD warning lights, loss of rear power distribution
Fix: Transfer case must be dropped, rear pump seal and sometimes pump replaced. If seal failed long ago and pump ran dry, full transfer case replacement. 8-12 hours labor plus parts.
Estimated cost: $1,800-4,000
Transmission and Differential Mounts Torn/Collapsed
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking on launch or hard shifts, Excessive driveline movement felt through shifter or floor, Vibration at idle in gear
Fix: OEM rubber mounts fail quickly, especially on tuned cars. Replace all drivetrain mounts (transmission, transfer case, rear diff). 4-6 hours labor, often done with poly or solid aftermarket mounts.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200
Turbocharger Wastegate Rattle and Boost Creep
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Rattling sound from turbo at idle or light throttle, Overboosting beyond factory spec (boost creep), P0243 wastegate solenoid codes
Fix: Wastegate actuator rod or internal flapper worn. Turbo rebuild or replacement. Aftermarket turbos common upgrade at this point. 6-8 hours labor for turbo swap.
Estimated cost: $1,500-3,500
ACD/AYC Pump Motor Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: ACD or AYC warning light steady on dash, Loss of active center and rear diff control, car feels like open diff, Loud whining or groaning from AYC pump in right rear footwell
Fix: AYC pump motor or entire pump assembly replacement. Unit is behind passenger seat area, 3-5 hours labor. Used pumps are gamble, remanufactured or new recommended.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,500
Timing Chain Tensioner and Guide Wear
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 100,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Rattling from front of engine at cold start, Check engine light with cam/crank correlation codes, Catastrophic engine damage if chain jumps timing
Fix: Replace timing chain, tensioner, guides, and water pump while in there. 10-14 hours labor. Do this proactively if you hear any rattle—chain jump kills motors fast.
Estimated cost: $2,000-3,500
Owner tips
Change SST fluid every 15k miles with Mitsubishi Diaqueen or equivalent—extends clutch life significantly
Inspect and replace transmission/diff mounts early, especially if modded or tracked
Address valve lifter tick immediately—cam lobe damage gets expensive fast
Budget for AYC pump and transfer case eventual replacement if buying high-mileage
Avoid tuned cars without supporting mods (fuel system, clutches, cooling)—Evo X drivetrain is stout but not bulletproof
Buy one if you can wrench or have a trusted Evo specialist—running costs are high, but the driving experience is unmatched in this price range. Avoid cheap neglected examples.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Outlander, 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Evolution, and 2010 Lancer Sportback vehicles equipped with sunroofs. The sunroof glass may detach from the sunroof assembly, becoming a road hazard to other vehicles.
Consequence: If the sunroof glass detaches from the assembly while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sunroof glass assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-003.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · 15V232000
2015-04-20
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles manufactured January 12, 2009, to July 6, 2010, 2009-2010 Outlander vehicles manufactured January 12, 2009, to August 27, 2010, 2010 Lancer Sportback vehicles manufactured June 17, 2009, to June 8, 2010, and 2010 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured July 14, 2009, to August 4, 2010. The affected vehicles have an electronic control unit (ECU) that controls the head lights, tail lights, and windshield wipers. Due to a manufacturing error, the voltage inside this ECU may be unstable.
Consequence: Unstable voltage could result in intermittent failure of the vehicle's head lights, tail lights, and windshield wipers. If the headlights and/or windshield wipers fail, the driver could have reduced visibility. If the tail lights fail, the vehicle could be less visible. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected ECU, free of charge. The recall began on June 15 ,2015. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-15-002.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Lancer vehicles manufactured March 16, 2009, to March 30, 2011, 2010-2011 Lancer Sportback vehicles manufactured June 17, 2009, to December 1, 2010, 2010-2011 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured July 14, 2009, to January 7, 2011, 2009-2011 Outlander vehicles manufactured February 10, 2009, to June 22, 2011, and 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured August 26, 2010, to November 19, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the blower motor may fail.
Consequence: Failure of the blower motor may reduce the performance of the windshield defroster, diminishing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace a suspect blower motor, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-15-003.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS · 14V562000
2014-09-12
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Lancer, Lancer Evolution, and Outlander; 2009-2011 Lancer Sportback, Lancer Rilliart, and Lancer Sportback Ralliart; and 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles. The affected vehicles, manufactured with 4B1 engines, have an engine pulley and belt arrangement for turning the alternator, the cooling fan and the power steering pump (if equipped). These pulleys may experience unusual wear and allow for belt detachment.
Consequence: If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the drive belt with a rubber belt. Drive pulleys that are excessively worn will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 15, 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-009.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION · 13V446000
2013-09-19
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured from December 12, 2007, through March 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the clutch master cylinder can fail.
Consequence: Failure of the clutch master cylinder reduces the ability to shift the vehicle into or out of gear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected clutch master cylinders free of charge. The recall began on November 12, 2013. Owners may contact Mitsubishi at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's campaign number for this recall is SR-13-009.
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