2002 Mitsubishi Lancer Problems

The contact's daughter owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, she felt an air draft inside of the vehicle. The contact's daughter attempted to close the sunroof when she noticed that the sunroof had detached from the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the sunroof part was no longer manufactured and they were unable to get the part to perform the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 221,660.

THE KNOBS TO CONTROL THE HEATING AND DEFOGGING IS BROKEN. IT HAS BEEN UNUSUALLY COLD IN GEORGIA THIS WINTER AND THE DEFOGGERS ONLY EMIT COLD AIR. I HAVE TO DRIVE THE CAR EARLY IN THE MORNING AROUND 6:10AM AND I WARM THE CAR BEFORE MY 7YR. GETS IN. NOW WE HAVE TO HAVE BLANKETS FOR HER BECAUSE THE CAR NEVER WARMS UP! MY SISTER LIVES HERE TOO AND HAS THE SAME PROBLEM ON HER 2003 LANCER. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THE KNOBS THEY ARE POORLY MANUFACTURED. THANK GOD I DON'T LIVE IN CHICAGO OR BUFFALO, WE COULD LITERALLY FREEZE TO DEATH IN OUR CAR, JUST DRIVING AROUND! I TRIED TO SUPER GLUE THEM BACK TOGETHER, BUT I SEE THEIR IS WHAT LOOKS LIKE A MOTHER BOARD BEHIND THE KNOBS AND MAYBE THE CONNECTION WAS LOST WHEN THE TWO KNOBS BROKE. I HAVE HAD A MECHANIC CHECK THE HEATING COOL AND THE THERMOSTAT AND HE SUGGESTED GOING ONLINE FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS. I DID TO KNOW AVAIL, MITSUBISHI DOES NOT OFFER REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR THE KNOBS, SO WHAT DO I DO? I HOPE MITSUBISHI DOES SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, BECAUSE THIS IS TO NO FAULT OF THE OWNER THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THE KNOBS THEY ARE POOR QUALITY AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. I LOVE THE LANCER IT HAS SERVED ME WELL OVER THE YEAR AND I WILL CONTINUE TO DRIVE THEM. THANK YOU FOR ATTENTION IN THIS MATTER. *TR

MY HUSBAND WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND OVER CORRECTED HIT AN EMBANKMENT AND A TREE AND THIS PUSHED HIM BACK INTO THE ROAD AND SPIN SHOOTING HIM INTO ANOTHER EMBANKMENT AND THIS RESULTED IN HIM BEING FORCED BACKWARDS AND INTO ANOTHER DITCH ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD HITTING A MAILBOX AND ANOTHER DITCH. THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED AND THE SEAT BROKE AS IF HE WAS LAYING DOWN TO SLEEP BUT IT WAS BROKE INTO THIS POSITION. HE HIT HIS FACE ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND INJURED HIS EYE SOME HOW AND THE HOSPITAL SAID THAT IT WAS DUE TO THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING. WHY DID HIS SEAT GET THROWED BACK LIKE THAT AND BREAK PLEASE EXPLAIN. I COULD HAVE LOST MY HUSBAND..

TO AVOID CONTACT WITH A DEER I HIT THE BRAKES SLIDING INTO A UTILITY POLE CAUSING SIGNIFICANT FRONT END DAMAGE TO VEHICLE NO AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED. *TR

SMOG STATION INSPECTION REPORT ;; RECALL ONREPROGRAM PCM AND REPLACE FAN CONTROLLER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE RPM'S IDLED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

MY SLAVE CYLINDER FAILED DUE TO LEAKAGE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. AS I WAS DRIVING UPHILL AND TRIED TO SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR THE CLUTCH PEDAL JUST WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR AND MY CAR GOT STUCK IN NEUTRAL. ITS COSTING ME 1000 DOLLARS TO FIX IT. THERE IS A TSB OUT ON THIS PROBLEM AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HASN'T BEEN MADE A RECALL YET??? IT LOOKS LIKE A QUITE COMMON PROBLEM FOR PEOPLE AND A COSTLY ONE AT THAT. VERY UNFAIR THAT WE ARE HAVING TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS WHEN THIS WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. *TR

THE SLAVE CYLINDER ON MY 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THIS HAPPEN AND I COULD NO LONGER GET MY CAR TO GO INTO GEAR. I HAD TO GET OVER FROM THE LEFT LANE OF TRAFFIC TO THE SHOULDER OF THE RIGHT LANE WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO ACCELERATE BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. I HAD TO CUT OTHER DRIVERS OFF AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE SLAVE CYLINDER LEAKED BRAKE FLUID ALL OVER THE CLUTCH AND NOW THAT HAS TO BE REPLACED TOO. MITSUBISHI KNEW THIS WAS A PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY CHANGED THE DESIGN IN 2004. I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM FROM OTHERS WHO HAVE THE SAME CAR. *TR

CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVERHEATING EMISSIONS RECALL. SECOND IS THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE SURFACES OF THE FRONT CROSS MEMBERS USED ON CERTAIN VEHICLES. IT WAS A RECALL ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVERHEATING. I NEED TO GET MY CAR FIX.

BRAKES LOCKED UP AND SUBFRAME SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING. FOUND OUT RECENTLY THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR.

THERE HAS NO BEEN AN INCIDENT YET. THE VEHICLE RATTLES IN THE FRONT END, EXACTLY WHERE THE RECALLED PART IS AT. I TOOK IT TO THE LICENSED DEALERSHIP THAT I WAS TOLD WAS QUALIFIED TO REPLACE THE PART AND THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE IT CLAIMING THAT THE VEHICLE IS TOO RUSTY AND THEY DON'T WANT TO LIFT IT UP ON THE AIR. I HAD JUST HAD 4 NEW TIRES PUT ON IT RECENTLY AND THEY USED A CAR LIFT WITHOUT ANY ISSUES. I WOULD LIKE THE PART REPLACED BECAUSE NOW I'M WORRIED ABOUT THE DEFECT CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF IT IS NOT REPLACED. THE REASON IT IS BEING RECALLED IS BECAUSE IT IS PRONE TO RUST AND MAY DETERIORATE OVER TIME AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT.

THERE'S A LOT OF POPING UNDERNEATH FRONT END AND THERE'S A RECALL AL ON THE CONTROL ARMS

THERE HAS NO BEEN AN INCIDENT YET. THE VEHICLE RATTLES IN THE FRONT END, EXACTLY WHERE THE RECALLED PART IS AT. I TOOK IT TO THE LICENSED DEALERSHIP THAT I WAS TOLD WAS QUALIFIED TO REPLACE THE PART AND THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE IT CLAIMING THAT THE VEHICLE IS TOO RUSTY AND THEY DON'T WANT TO LIFT IT UP ON THE AIR. I HAD JUST HAD 4 NEW TIRES PUT ON IT RECENTLY AND THEY USED A CAR LIFT WITHOUT ANY ISSUES. I WOULD LIKE THE PART REPLACED BECAUSE NOW I'M WORRIED ABOUT THE DEFECT CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF IT IS NOT REPLACED. THE REASON IT IS BEING RECALLED IS BECAUSE IT IS PRONE TO RUST AND MAY DETERIORATE OVER TIME AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT.

RECALL INFO: "THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE SURFACES OF THE FRONT CROSS MEMBERS USED ON CERTAIN VEHICLES IF EXPOSED LONG TERM TO SNOW MELT WATER AND ANTI-FREEZING AGENTS MAY CORRODE DUE TO INSUFFICIENT PERFORMANCE OF THE RUST PROTECTION. SHOULD CORROSION OCCUR, A LOWER CONTROL ARM COULD BECOME DETACHED RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND POTENTIAL COLLISION. IN MAY 2016 WE HAD TO HAVE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM REPLACED ALONG WITH THE FRONT SWAY BARK LINK ASSEMBLY." I BELIEVE THIS IS ALL PART OF THE CORROSION MENTIONED ABOVE IN THE RECALL. CAR WAS MOVING WHEN LOWER CONTROL ARM BECAME DETACHED. $285.00 TO REPLACE LOWER CONTROL ARM & FRONT SWAY BAR LINK. *TR

WAS GOING TO THE GAS STATION TO GET GAS AND CAR ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN. THEN ENGINE SEIZED. THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING THEN. RAN INTO A DITCH. CAR STARTED SMOKING FROM ENGINE. I DIDN'T KNOW THERE WERE RECALLS ON THESE CARS OR I WOULDN'T HAVE BOUGHT ONE. BIGGEST PAIN I'VE EVER OWNED! THE ENGINE IS WRECKED. I SPENT A LOT OF MONEY ON THIS CAR. I HAVE NO CAR NOW, WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH; APPROACHED A TRAFFIC STOP LIGHT. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV; AND VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. DURING BRAKING THERE WAS DIFFICULTY TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,120. UPDATED 11/16/10. *LJ

FRONT LOWER ENGINE SUPPORT & CRADLE ARE RUSTED OUT ALONG WITH THE CROSS MEMBER. I CAN FURNISH PICTURES IF NECESSARY.

RECALL INFO: "THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE SURFACES OF THE FRONT CROSS MEMBERS USED ON CERTAIN VEHICLES IF EXPOSED LONG TERM TO SNOW MELT WATER AND ANTI-FREEZING AGENTS MAY CORRODE DUE TO INSUFFICIENT PERFORMANCE OF THE RUST PROTECTION. SHOULD CORROSION OCCUR, A LOWER CONTROL ARM COULD BECOME DETACHED RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND POTENTIAL COLLISION. IN MAY 2016 WE HAD TO HAVE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM REPLACED ALONG WITH THE FRONT SWAY BARK LINK ASSEMBLY." I BELIEVE THIS IS ALL PART OF THE CORROSION MENTIONED ABOVE IN THE RECALL. CAR WAS MOVING WHEN LOWER CONTROL ARM BECAME DETACHED. $285.00 TO REPLACE LOWER CONTROL ARM & FRONT SWAY BAR LINK. *TR

WAS GOING TO THE GAS STATION TO GET GAS AND CAR ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN. THEN ENGINE SEIZED. THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING THEN. RAN INTO A DITCH. CAR STARTED SMOKING FROM ENGINE. I DIDN'T KNOW THERE WERE RECALLS ON THESE CARS OR I WOULDN'T HAVE BOUGHT ONE. BIGGEST PAIN I'VE EVER OWNED! THE ENGINE IS WRECKED. I SPENT A LOT OF MONEY ON THIS CAR. I HAVE NO CAR NOW, WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO? *TR

I WAS CONVINCED & SHOWN THAT MY BLOWER MOTER WAS WORKING IN TOP CONDITION. BUT ON MY RIDE HOME I WAS DISTURBED TO FIND THAT ONLY SPEED 4, AN OVERDRIVE MODE, WAS WORKING. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE I JUST BOUGHT THE LANCER ES 02', AND WAS TOLD THAT EVERTHING WOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF. [RECALL #C04092 FOR A FAN CONTROLLER REPLACEMENT HAD BEEN DONE 2/23/06 ALONG WITH RECALL #CO505J PCM REFLASH 4 DAYS PRIOR TO WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE] AT THE MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP I PAID $146.31 TO HAVE THE BLOWER RESISTER REPLACED, AND LATER REIMBURSED BY THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE I PUCHASED THE LANCER. THE BLOWER WORKED GOOD, THEN ON & OFF. IT BLEW AGAIN WITHIN A MONTH. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, WHERE I LEFT MESSAGES, NO RETURN. THEY WERE TO CONTACT ME, AND WERE NEVER TIMELY. AT THE SECONG DIAGNOSIS THE MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE BLOWER MOTOR WAS BAD, CAUSING THE RESISTOR TO GO $380.00! I WAS NOT ABOUT TO PAY THAT PRICE UPFRONT WITHOUT A GAURANTEE OF REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, WHO NOW CLAIMS IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP WHEN THEY THEMSELVES REIMBURSED ME THE FIRST TIME. BEYOND BOTH DENYING THE COST, THE MISUBISHI DEALERSHIP STRIPPED MY ALLOYS OF MOST OF THEIR CROME WHILE PROFORMING THEIR "COURTESY CAR WASH"!! WHILE CONVERSING WITH THE MANAGER FOR AN HOUR, HE CLAIMS THAT THE BRAND OF ALLOYS, ADAMS, WHICH WERE ON THE CAR WHEN PURCHASED, ARE KNOWN TO CRACK AND CHIP. THEY HANDED ME MY KEYS IN THE PARKING LOT AND LEFT ME WITH NO RECEIPT & NO COMPASSION. I LEFT THE MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP AFTER CALLING MY MOTHER & DROVE TO MY MECHANIC WHO HAD JUST DONE WORK ON MY CAR EARLIER THAT DAY. REPLACING THE RIGHT FRONT BEARING WHICH WAS AN OPEN BEARING WHICH LEAKED GREASE OUT AND STABILIZER END LINK- $403.03- ASTONISHED TO SEE MY RIMS, HE NOTICED RIGHT AWAY, AS I DID, I TOOK PICTURES IMIDIATELY, BUT WHO IS RESPONSIBLE I AM UNSURE. I HAVEN'T THE FINANCES, NOR THE PATIENTS, TO BE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF WHEN OTHERS ARE AT FAULT.

SMOG STATION INSPECTION REPORT ;; RECALL ONREPROGRAM PCM AND REPLACE FAN CONTROLLER

FUEL TANK IS LEAKING FROM THE SEAM. MOST OF THE FUEL IS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DIRECTLY ABOVE THE EXHAUST PIPE. FUEL CAN BE SMELLED ALL AROUND THE VEHICLE AND INSIDE THE CAR

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST MITSUBISHI THAT HAS DONE THIS. MY EX'S 2000 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE ALSO HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT REGISTER. I NEED TO KNOW HOW FAST I AM GOING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE RPM'S IDLED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

MY HUSBAND WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND OVER CORRECTED HIT AN EMBANKMENT AND A TREE AND THIS PUSHED HIM BACK INTO THE ROAD AND SPIN SHOOTING HIM INTO ANOTHER EMBANKMENT AND THIS RESULTED IN HIM BEING FORCED BACKWARDS AND INTO ANOTHER DITCH ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD HITTING A MAILBOX AND ANOTHER DITCH. THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED AND THE SEAT BROKE AS IF HE WAS LAYING DOWN TO SLEEP BUT IT WAS BROKE INTO THIS POSITION. HE HIT HIS FACE ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND INJURED HIS EYE SOME HOW AND THE HOSPITAL SAID THAT IT WAS DUE TO THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING. WHY DID HIS SEAT GET THROWED BACK LIKE THAT AND BREAK PLEASE EXPLAIN. I COULD HAVE LOST MY HUSBAND..

THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB ON THE CLIMATE CONTROL MODULE BROKE. THE LIKELY CAUSE WAS BINDING OF THE CABLE THAT IS CONTROLLED BY THE KNOB. THIS COULD BE DUE TO POOR ROUTING OF THE CABLE OR THE MECHANISM THAT THE CABLE IS ATTACHED. THE COST OF REPAIRING THIS DESIGN DEFECT RANGES FROM $500-1000 AT THE DEALER. *LN

IN OCTOBER OF 2003, A TECHNICAL BULLETIN WAS ISSUED ON MY CAR. THE BULLETIN READS: 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER 02 - BLOWER [PART 138110] TSB NO: 0355008 NHTSA ID: , OCTOBER 01, 2003 : REPLACEMENT: SUMMARY: DEBRIS (SUCH AS LEAVES, ETC) ENTERING THE FRONT COWL AREA MAY CLOG THE EVAPORATOR HOUSING DRAIN TUBE. IF THIS OCCURS, THE EVAPORATOR HOUSING MAY FILL UP WITH CONDENSATION AND OVERFLOW INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, AND INTO THE BLOWER MOT...IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2005, I PAID MY LOCAL MITSUBISHI DEALER $310.50 TO REPLACE MY BLOWER MOTOR BECAUSE DEBRIS HAD CLOGGED THE MOTOR CAUSING IT TO SHORT OUT AND RESULTING IN LEAVING MY PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD UNDER AN INCH OF WATER. MY CAR NOW, IS OUT OF WARRANTY. HOWEVER, IF I HAD KNOWN THERE WAS A PROBLEM, I COULD HAVE BOUGHT A FILTER TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM. MY QUESTION IS: AT WHAT POINT DOES NHTSA MAKE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS INTO RECALLS? IT IS ABSOLUTELY ABSURD WHEN MY DEALER INFORMS ME THAT TSB'S ARE ONLY FIXED IF A CUSTOMER COMPLAINS ABOUT THE CAR. IT'S JUST PLAIN WRONG FOR MITSUBISHI TO KNOW THERE IS SOMETHING POTENTIALLY WRONG WITH YOUR CAR AND NOT INFORM YOU OF IT. FOR INSTANCE THERE IS ANOTHER BULLETIN ON THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB IN MY CAR. NOW, I READ THESE TSB'S AND IT JUST SO HAPPENED THAT MITSUBISHI WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WHEN MY CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. I HAD TO REPLACE THE CV BOOT, THE VALVE COVERS AND SEALS, AND WHEN I GOT THE BLOWER MOTOR REPLACED I HAD TO REPLACE THE THERMOSTAT AND REDO MY COOLANT. I'M ALSO CURRENTLY HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL. EVERY TIME I CRANK MY CAR UP, MY CRUISE CONTROL IS ALREADY ON. I TURN THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF, AND TURN MY CAR BACK ON, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ON AGAIN. I WAS TWO DAYS BEFORE PAYING $600 FOR THE TORQUE CONVERTER TO BE REPLACED, AND FINALLY A RECALL WAS ISSUED, THANK GOD! HOW MANY THINGS HAVE TO GO WRONG WITH MY CAR FOR IT TO BE DEEMED A LEMON AND MADE TO BE SENT BACK? LORD, SOMEBODY PLEASE REPLY BACK TO ME AND TELL ME WHAT TO DO!?! *NM

I WENT INTO A DITCH (WAS RUN OFF THE ROAD) PASSENGER DOOR HIT A POLE, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND PASSENGER FRACTURED HER COLLAR BONE. THIS HAPPENED IN 2005. ALSO THE BLOW MOTOR HAS RUSTED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, I FOUND OUT THROUGH THE INTERNET THAT WATER FLOWS INTO THE MOTOR THROUGH THE WIPERS. IT COST OVER $400. TO REPLACE THE MOTOR. *JB

I WAS TRAVELING AT 30-34 MPH AND A INTREPID PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND I SLAMMED HEAD ON TO HER DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE. MY SEAT BELTS DIDN'T LOCK RESULTING IN ME HITTING MY CHEST ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND MY SON IN THE BACK SEAT TO HIT HIS HEAD ON THE BACK OF THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT. MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY RESULTING IN MY PELVIC BONE TO SHIFT AND ME TO RECEIVE WHIPLASH AND A BULDGE IN MY LOWER BACK. THE IMPACT OF THE CRASH RESULTED IN MY CAR BEING TOTALED. *JB

CAR WAS HIT ON SIDE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT MALFUNCTIONED RESULTING IN DEATH OF PASSENGER. *NLM

I HAVE PURCHASED THIS CAR AS A SECOND OWNER AS I WAS TOLD. THE TRANSMISSION WAS ACTING FUNNY AT FIRST AND I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS NORMAL BECAUSE THE CAR WAS SITTING FOR A WHILE. THE CAR HAD ONLY 115,000 MILES WHEN PURCHASED, THE REASON I BOUGHT IT WITH LOW MILES AND APPEARANCE. LAST WEEK WHEN IT WAS DRIVEN, THE CAR ACTED EVEN FUNNIER UNTIL IT STALLED: THE CAR WILL NOT ENGAGE IN ANY FORWARD GEARS, IT WILL ONLY ENGAGE IN THE REVERSE GEAR. AFTER RESEARCHING THE FACT, I WAS TOLD BY MANY SOURCES THAT THE 2002-2005 LANCERS HAD A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS IN MANY WAYS. I NEED TO KNOW IF THAT'S TRUE AND WHAT COULD BE DONE ESPECIALLY AFTER I LOOKED AT THE BLOGS ABOUT WHAT'S SO NAMED " LANCERS". IT WILL BE A SHAME FOR A MANUFACTURER TO RELEASE A CAR IN THE MARKET WITH SUCH PROBLEM. *TR

2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER, 5 SPEED MANUAL. THE CAR IS A DAILY DRIVER, AND IS NEVER DRIVEN HARD. IT JUST TURNED 68,000 MILES. DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT TO A RESTAURANT, THE CAR MAKES A LOUD NOISE AND ROLLS TO A STOP. IT RESTARTS BUT WILL NOT GO ANYWHERE IN ANY GEAR. I LOST ALL GEARS. I HAD IT TOWED HOME, AND I SEE NOTHING OBVIOUS. I ENDED UP AT A TRANSMISSION SHOP WHERE I PAID TO HAVE IT TAKEN APART AND THEY FOUND THE TRANSMISSION ITSELF WAS OK, BUT THE AXLE SHAFT HAD BROKEN INSIDE OF IT. THE TRANSMISSION STILL HAD TO BE DISASSEMBLED TO RETRIEVE THE BROKEN PIECE. A NEW AXLE CANNOT BE FOUND FOR THIS CAR ANYWHERE BUT THE DEALER WHERE THEY WANTED 750.00. THE TRANSMISSION DIAGNOSIS WAS 300.00. PARTS I HAD TO REPLACE UPON REINSTALLING, WAS 488.00. I HAVE ALL DOCUMENTATION. I HAD TO BORROW AND RENT CARS FOR 10 DAYS UNTIL I HAD MY PARTS, OF COURSE THEY HAD BE ORDERED. *JB

THE BRAKES WORE OUT PREMATURELY. THE PART WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED EXISTS. *AK THE VEHICLE LEFT BLACK OIL SPOTS ON THE GARAGE GROUND NEAR ALL FOUR TIRES THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD IT WAS FROM EXCESS FACTORY OVER COATING. THE BRAKES SQUEALED CONTINUOUSLY, THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WORE OUT PREMATURELY AND A NAIL WAS IN THE SIDEWALL OF THE REAR TIRE AND COULDN'T BE REPAIRED BECAUSE TO THE FRONT AND REAR STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO LEAKAGE, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER WAS GETTING DIFFERENT OPINIONS REGARDING THE STRUTS. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CALIPERS AND OR BRAKE DESIGN WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES TO PREMATURELY WEAR OUT. *SCC THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED *JB