MitsubishiLancer Sportback20132.0L/mitsubishi/lancer-sportback/2013/2-0l/

2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback — 2.0L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 Lancer Sportback 2.0L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.0LTransmission Automatic (AV-S6)

The 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback is a passenger‑car built on the Lancer platform and powered by a 2.0‑liter engine that utilizes 6.0 qt of 5W‑30 API oil, paired with an AV‑S6 automatic transmission; its EPA rating of 24 mpg city, 32 mpg highway and a combined 27 mpg underscores a balanced efficiency for its class. Across the model’s 2004‑2014 span, 2013 stands out as the year with the fewest owner complaints—just three—while the vehicle recorded zero recalls, indicating a comparatively clean reliability record. This low‑complaint year positions the 2013 Sportback as a reference point for researchers examining the Lancer’s overall durability trajectory, suggesting that its engineering refinements yielded a notably dependable iteration within the decade‑long run.

Model year2015201420132012201120102009

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy24/32/27 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 sizeP205-60R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterMZ690072 alt MZ690116
Engine air filterMR968274 alt 1500A086
Fuel filter1770A273 alt 1770A268
Spark plug1822A068 alt 1822A069
BatterySC34CMP
Front wiper bladesMZ693021 alt 8250A186
Serpentine belt4451A123 alt 4451A115
Thermostat1305A803 alt 1305A802
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 weight3020 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined24 / 32 / 27 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume95 cu ft
Cargo volume14 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 6.0 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

Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.4 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Power Steering FluidGenuine Mitsubishi PS fluid

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 Hub166-202 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub107-129 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub107-129 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub166-202 ft-lbs
Rear 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 Capacity1.06-1.15 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity2.40-3.40 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
Torque Caliper to Bracket28-36 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle38-48 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

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
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
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 miEmission Control System (inspect) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · 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.

The 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback sits at a low point in the complaint trend, with only 3 complaints compared to 8 in 2004 and a sharp rise to 16 in 2014. Recalls are absent across all three years, but the 2013 model carries a high 79 technical service bulletins (TSBs), nearly matching the 2014 peak of 74 and far exceeding the 28 in 2004, indicating numerous manufacturer-acknowledged issues that did not trigger recalls. The single investigation in 2013, like the one in 2014, lacks specified details, so no root cause can be inferred from the data. While the low complaint count suggests immediate owner satisfaction, the elevated TSB volume and the subsequent complaint spike in 2014 imply that some underlying problems may have been addressed through service bulletins rather than resolved at the factory. Overall, the 2013 model year appears to be a relatively quiet year in terms of reported defects, but the high TSB count warrants a careful review of those bulletins before purchase.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
79
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
3
Owner complaints
0 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 3 complaints on record, top 2 components.

Unknown Or Other2
Power Train1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 79 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB-16-54-001REV2024-07-23Electrical SystemThis Technical Service Bulletin instructs the dealer to update the Hands Free Module…
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…
TSB-23-00-0042023-04-24StructureThis Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for…
TSB-23-00-0012023-04-24EquipmentThis Technical Service Bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the…

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
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Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
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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 2013 Lancer Sportback 2.0L take?

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

Does the 2013 Lancer Sportback have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.0L get?

EPA figures are 24 city / 32 highway / 27 combined mpg.