MitsubishiLancer Sportback20152.0L/mitsubishi/lancer-sportback/2015/2-0l/

2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback — 2.0L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2015 Lancer Sportback 2.0L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.0LTransmission Automatic (AV-S6)

The 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback is a passenger car built on the brand's global platform and powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (AV-S6), and it achieves EPA fuel economy ratings of 26 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined; the engine specification calls for 5W-30 or 0W-20 oil viscosity. This model year arrived with 26 total owner complaints on record—exceeding the highest complaint count of 16 seen in any prior year within the 2004-2014 range—to place it among the more problem-prone iterations of the Lancer Sportback, with the power train emerging as the primary area of concern alongside two safety recalls. The spike in complaints relative to the model's history, particularly compared to the relatively trouble-free 2013 model year which logged only 3 complaints, suggests that the 2015 variant represents a notable dip in overall reliability within the Sportback lineage.

Model year2015201420132012201120102009

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacityWith turboOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 0W-20OEM · verified
EPA fuel economy26/33/29 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
Tail / brake / turnTURNOEM · verified
Tire size4WD:P225-75R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterMZ690072 alt MZ690116
Engine air filterMZ690445 alt MR968274
Fuel filter1770A273 alt 1770A274
Spark plug1822A068 alt 1822A079
BatterySC34CMP
Front wiper blades8250A186 alt MZ693021
Serpentine belt1340A150 alt 4451A123
Thermostat1305A802 alt 1305A803
Cabin air filter7803A004

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length180.7 in
Overall width69.3 in
Overall height59.4 in
Wheelbase103.9 in
Curb weight2987 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined26 / 33 / 29 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume93 cu ft
Cargo volume12 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds With turbo of 5W-30 / 0W-20 engine oil, GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 26.0-32.0 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

Automatic Transmission FluidMitsubishi Diamond Queen SSTF-1
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.0
Automatic Transmission FluidDiamond Queen CVTF-J4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.5
Automatic Transmission FluidCVTF J-1
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.0
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilGL-5

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts155 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts15
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts32-40 ft/lbs.
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts15
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts32-40 ft/lbs.
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug26.0-32.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs17.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Transfer Case Fill Plug23.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug23.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub166.0-202.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub107.0-129.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)600-800 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerMitsubishi
Spark Plug Gap.039 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque15-21 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerMitsubishi
Spark Plug TypeTurbo
Spark Plug Gap.020 - .023 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity16.96-18.40 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity2.5-3.0 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity16.96-18.40 lbs
Oil GroupPAG

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)Turbo - 45-50 psi
RPMTurbo 38 psi @ idle rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 48-; Rear: 28-; Front: 48-; Rear: 28-
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 67-; Rear: 38-; Front: 67-; Rear: 38-
ABS Sensor Torque6.2 / NS
Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 28-; Rear: 28-
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 67-; Rear: 39-; Front: 67-; Rear: 39-
ABS Sensor Torque6.2 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.080; Rear: 0.080 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .960; Rear: .330

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat bolt threads with clean engine oil.

125.0-27.0 ft. lbs.25–27 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat bolt threads with clean engine oil.

125.0-27.0 ft. lbs.25–27 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 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 3,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant at 90,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 90,000 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 3,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 6,000 miTire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 9,000 miEngine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (leak inspection)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Wheel Cylinder (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Heater Hose (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 90,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 150,000 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.

Federal data for the Lancer Sportback shows a low-complaint, no-recall pattern in 2013 (3 complaints, 0 recalls, 1 investigation, 79 TSBs), followed by a sharp rise in 2014 to 16 complaints with one investigation and 74 TSBs. For 2015 specifically, the leading complaint categories are Power Train (5), Air Bags (4), Electrical System/Unknown or Other (3), and Unknown or Other (2), with 5 crash-related complaints and zero fire complaints. Because the data does not provide a total complaint count, recall count, or investigation count for 2015, it is difficult to place the target year precisely in the trend arc; however, the concentration in Power Train and Air Bags indicates owners reported functional-safety concerns. No recalls are recorded for any of the listed years (2004, 2013, 2014), though 2013 and 2014 each had one investigation and elevated TSB volumes. Given that 2015 follows a spike in 2014 complaints and carries notable Power Train and Air Bag complaints, a buyer should verify those systems thoroughly in a pre-purchase inspection and treat this year as a cautious rather than standout choice.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
78
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
26
Owner complaints
5 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 26 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train5
Air Bags4
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other3
Unknown Or Other2
Electrical System2
Engine1
Structure1
Seat Belts,Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

17V609000Electrical System:Starter Assembly:RelayReported 29/09/2017

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Outlander, 2015-2016 Lancer and Outlander Sport, and 2015 Lancer Evolution vehicles. These vehicles may have defective relays that can result… Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected relays, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 78 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-24-23-0042024-06-03Power TrainService Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin provides corrections to the…
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…

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 2015 Lancer Sportback 2.0L take?

With turbo of With turbo: 5W-30, Without Turbo: 0W-20, per the factory manual.

Does the 2015 Lancer Sportback have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.0L get?

EPA figures are 26 city / 33 highway / 29 combined mpg.