MitsubishiLancer Sportback20112.0L/mitsubishi/lancer-sportback/2011/2-0l/

2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback — 2.0L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 Lancer Sportback 2.0L. Covers both the standard and High Output 2.0L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.0LTransmission Automatic (AM6)

The 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback blends the practicality of a five-door hatchback with the compact Lancer platform, powered by a 2.0L four-cylinder engine paired with a four-speed automatic transmission that delivers an EPA-estimated 25 mpg on the highway. With a generous 5.9-quart oil capacity and a recommended 5W-30 viscosity, this model maintains the Lancer’s reputation for straightforward maintenance, though its 49 owner complaints—primarily concentrated in the powertrain—reflect a middling reliability standing for the year. While not the most troubled in the 2004–2014 generation, it sits above the 2013 low of just three complaints yet well below the 2014 peak, signaling a period where Mitsubishi’s refinement efforts were still evolving. For researchers, this model year offers a snapshot of the Sportback’s transition phase, where its utility met the realities of early-decade engineering trade-offs.

Model year2015201420132012201120102009

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.9 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/25/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 520 CCA battery, OE oil filter MZ690072. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 520 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245-40R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterMZ690072 alt MZ690116
Engine air filter1500A086 alt 1500A023
Fuel filter1770A273 alt 1770A268
Spark plug1822A068 alt 1822A069
BatterySC34CMP
Front wiper blades8250A186 alt MZ693021
Serpentine belt4451A115 alt 4451A114
Thermostat1305A802 alt 1305A803
Cabin air filter7803A004

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AM6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length180.7 in
Overall width69.3 in
Overall height59.4 in
Wheelbase103.9 in
Curb weight3097 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 25 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.9 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.3 Pints
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.1 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.9 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.4 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts184 Turbo ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts73 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts32-40 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts32-40 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs19 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug23.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug23.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub107-129 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub107-129 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub107-129 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub107-129 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub107-129 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 Turbo rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.06-1.14 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity2.40-3.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance520 cca
Standard BCI Cranking Performance700 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)45.0-50.0 psi
Engine Compression152
Engine Oil Pressure4.3 psi @ Idle, 43-100 psi @ 3500 rpm psi
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle52-66 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG
Torque Caliper to Bracket28-36 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle67-81 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket28-36 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle39-44 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.080; Rear: 0.080 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-10015 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
126 ft. lbs.26 ft. lbs
290 degrees.90 degrees
390 degrees.; Do not re-use old bolts. Apply an appropriate amount of engine oil to top and bottom surfaces of washers and threaded portion of bolts.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
125-27 ft. lbs.25–27 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees; Do not re-use old bolts. Apply an appropriate amount of engine oil to top and bottom surface of washers and threaded portion of bolts.90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miTire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miActive Torque Transfer System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect) · Heater Hose (replace) · Radiator Hose (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 105,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback sits within a federal record that, across the sampled years 2004, 2013, and 2014, shows zero recalls but a steady climb in technical service bulletins — from 28 in 2004 to 79 by 2013 — even as owner complaint counts otherwise stayed in single digits (3 in 2013). The 2011 target year breaks that pattern: its top complaint areas alone total 16 filings, led by Power Train (9), with secondary issues in Engine & Engine Cooling (3), Electrical System/Exterior Lighting (2), and Fuel/Propulsion System (2), plus one crash-related complaint and no fire reports. Plotted against 2004's 8 complaints and 2013's 3, the 2011 model year emerges as the highest-complaint point in this sample, matched only by 2014 — suggesting powertrain concerns were particularly concentrated in this generation's middle years rather than a recall-worthy systemic defect, since the data does not identify a unifying root cause. With no recalls or open investigations tied specifically to 2011 but a clear drivetrain tilt, a used buyer should prioritize a pre-purchase inspection of the transmission and cooling system. Bottom line: 2011 is a defensible buy with due diligence on the powertrain, though 2013's lower complaint volume and richer TSB history make it a marginally safer alternative in the same generation.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
120
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
49
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 49 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train9
Engine & Engine Cooling3
Electrical System,Exterior Lighting2
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Engine2
Seat Belts2
Steering,Structure1
Suspension1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V069000Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated PulleysReported 26/01/2018

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Lancer, 2008-2012 Outlander, 2010-2012 Lancer Sportback, and 2011-2012 Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with either a 4B11 or 4B12 engine. The… Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the belt tensioner with one that has an improved shape, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 27, 2018. Owners…

14V562000Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated PulleysReported 12/09/2014

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 120 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TECH TALK 2892025-11-21Electrical SystemTech Talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. It covers various topics…
TSB-16-54-001REV2024-07-23Electrical SystemThis Technical Service Bulletin instructs the dealer to update the Hands Free Module…
TSB-24-27-0012024-03-19Power TrainService Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin provides the replacement…
TSB-23-22-0012023-07-21Power TrainThis Technical Service Bulletin provides service manual corrections and additional…
DEALER LETTER2023-07-21EquipmentThis is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Lancer Sportback. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2011 Lancer Sportback 2.0L take?

5.9 qt of 5W-30 SM API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2011 Lancer Sportback have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.0L get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined mpg.