RoadVitals

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
98
Latest Oct 24, 2023
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
16
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
14

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

27
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

HAVING NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS CAN'T DRIVE MORE THAN 20 MINUTES ON THE FREEWAY OR ELSE MY CAR STARTS MAKING A WEIRD NOISE AND LOSES POWER SHIFTING AT HIGH RPMS

NHTSA ID 11373055 · filed Nov 4, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND OVERHEAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FROM WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. THE MECHANIC GAVE HER A $200 REIMBURSEMENT TOWARDS THE REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURES RECURRED SOON AFTER, INCLUDING SHAKING AND JERKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED AN ENTIRE NEW ENGINE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 18V069000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), 14V562000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), AND 12E012000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALLS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE RECALLS OR THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000.

NHTSA ID 11265899 · filed Oct 3, 2019
All 27 reports naming engine

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

19
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated while driving at night, the low-beam headlights turned off and turned on independently, causing a visibility hazard for the driver. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V232000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 110,000.

NHTSA ID 11536104 · filed Aug 2, 2023

My brake light are no longer working and it is not because of a bulb I replaced all of them and they still do not work. And also my cruise control turns on and off but it will not set a speed

NHTSA ID 11477444 · filed Aug 3, 2022
All 19 reports naming electrical

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

16
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

My brake light are no longer working and it is not because of a bulb I replaced all of them and they still do not work. And also my cruise control turns on and off but it will not set a speed

NHTSA ID 11477444 · filed Aug 3, 2022

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL AT 15 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE AS NEEDED UPON DEPRESSION AS THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUMP HIS BRAKES REPEATEDLY IN AN EFFORT TO STOP THE VEHICLE; HE ALSO APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FOR ASSISTANCE BEFORE HITTING A TREE STUMP. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A TWEAK IN HIS RIGHT SHOULDER BUT DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT NEEDED AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DUE TO LOW IMPACT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. THE CONTACT THEN SPOKE TO ROSEVILLE AUTOMALL(700 AUTOMALL DR, ROSEVILLE, CA 95661) AND THE MANUFACTURER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V077000(SERVICE BRAKES, AIR); THEY OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.*DT*JB

NHTSA ID 11378517 · filed Dec 8, 2020
All 16 reports naming brakes

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

13
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated while driving at night, the low-beam headlights turned off and turned on independently, causing a visibility hazard for the driver. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V232000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 110,000.

NHTSA ID 11536104 · filed Aug 2, 2023

WE HAVE ISSUES WITH THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTIONING. THEY WOULD CUT OFF WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. WOULD STAY ON WHEN CAR AND LIGHTS WERE TURNED OFF AND WE WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE RELAY OUT TO GET THEM TURNED OFF. THEY WOULD FLASH ON AND OFF WHILE THE CAR WAS ON OR OFF. REPLACED NUMEROUS RELAYS, RETURNED MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH THREE TIMES. THIS CAUSED OUR SON TO HAVE A WRECK AS THE LOW BEAMS LIGHTS TURNED OFF AND A CAR NOT SEEING HIM PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF HIM. STARTED A 1 1/2 YEARS AGO, THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE HEADLIGHTS TURNING OFF AND NOTHING BEING DONE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE ANOTHER ACCIDENT OCCURS OR DEATH FROM ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID 11353849 · filed Sep 8, 2020
All 13 reports naming exterior lighting

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

12
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The car started to slow down on its own even when my foot was on the gas it wouldn’t pick up speed over 20mph then it started to over heat, then smoke. It sounded like sparks like from a firecracker and smelt like something was burning to the point I had to pull over and turn the car off so my children and I could get out and breathe. When I restarted it turned on but would not drive when put into gear. I had it towed and the next day I tried again only this time the battery was dead and nothing was left on in the car I couldn’t understand how this happened so I bought a new battery put it in and it started still wouldn’t move though so I gave it a few days went to try again and the new battery was dead like something was draining all the power.

NHTSA ID 11521960 · filed May 15, 2023

THE FOLLOWING IS A RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION FLUID DIPSTICK ACKNOWLEDGED BY MITSUBISHI AND ADDRESSED BY A SERVICE BULLETIN. THEY HAVE NOT ISSUED A RECALL OF THE DIPSTICK. (HTTPS://MITSUBISHITECHINFO.COM/DATA/TECH_DOCS/2010/52005696/HTML/520056966.HTM) AFTER DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT NORMAL SPEEDS, 70MPH AND UNDER, THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED AND A SLOW DOWN WARNING APPEARED. I PULLED OVER, LIFTED THE HOOD AND LET IT COOL DOWN FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES; THE WARNING HAD DISAPPEARED. I RESUMED DRIVING AT SPEEDS 45 AND UNDER, AND WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL THE TRANSMISSION WHINED VERY LOUDLY AND I LOST SO MUCH POWER THAT THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW TO A STOP ON THE ROAD. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO AVOID BEING STRUCK BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE SLOW DOWN LIGHT WAS NOT ON, BUT I DID RECEIVE ENGINE CODE P0741. IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, I LET IT COOL DOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE THEN TOOK AN EXIT. WITH NO SLOW DOWN WARNING, I WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WHINED VERY LOUDLY AND THE CAR STOPPED MOVING FORWARD. AN 18 WHEELER WAS ONCOMING AND WAS NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO STOP. THANKFULLY, THE CAR WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT SAFELY OUT OF THE WAY, BUT IT WAS CLOSE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED MANY SIMILAR INCIDENTS. THE TRANSMISSION HAS FREQUENTLY OVERHEATED SINCE I'VE HAD IT WHEN IT HAD ONLY 30,000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILTERS HAVE BEEN REGULARLY CHANGED PER THE OWNER'S MANUAL. WHILE IT HAS A REBUILT TITLE, THERE WAS ONLY EXTERIOR DAMAGE AND NO PART OF THE POWER TRAIN WAS EVER DAMAGED. I DISCOVERED THE SERVICE BULLETIN FROM RESEARCH AND FORUMS. MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE, BUT MOST JUST ASSUMED THE FLUID NEEDED TO BE CHANGED MORE THAN THE MANUAL RECOMMENDED. THE DEFECT AND THE OVERHEATING THAT RESULTS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS I'VE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED. IT'S AN ORIGINAL FACTORY DEFECT THAT IS COMPLETELY UNAFFECTED BY MILEAGE OR WEAR AND TEAR

NHTSA ID 11306186 · filed Jan 30, 2020
All 12 reports naming powertrain (other)

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF WHEN DRIVING THE CAR OR PARKED AND RUNNING. I SEE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE AIRBAG MODULE THRU 2007 LANCER. MINE HAS 71K MILES. IS THERE A RECALL IN THE WORKS FOR 2009 MODELS?

NHTSA ID 11399136 · filed Mar 4, 2021

WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS NEW RECALL IN JULY 2020 A DETACHED FRONT CONTROL ARM MAY MAKE YOU LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR .MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER LOST CONTROL OF HER CAR BECAUSE THE RIGHT SIDE TIRE STARTED TO SHAKE AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL CAR AND WRECKED ON 6/26/2020 HER AIR BAGS ON PASSENGER SIDE CAME OUT WHEN SHE WENT OFF THE ROAD IN A DITCH. SHE WAS DRIVING IN CLEAR CONDITIONS AT 55 MPH AND THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE STARTED TO SHAKE. SHE WAS GIVEN A TICKET FOR FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF HER CAR. AND HAS A COURT DATE WITH RECKLESS DRIVING. I CAN GIVE YOU THE VA COURT ID FOR THE DETAILS OF THIS.

NHTSA ID 11343807 · filed Aug 7, 2020
All 8 reports naming airbags

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The car started to slow down on its own even when my foot was on the gas it wouldn’t pick up speed over 20mph then it started to over heat, then smoke. It sounded like sparks like from a firecracker and smelt like something was burning to the point I had to pull over and turn the car off so my children and I could get out and breathe. When I restarted it turned on but would not drive when put into gear. I had it towed and the next day I tried again only this time the battery was dead and nothing was left on in the car I couldn’t understand how this happened so I bought a new battery put it in and it started still wouldn’t move though so I gave it a few days went to try again and the new battery was dead like something was draining all the power.

NHTSA ID 11521960 · filed May 15, 2023

HAVING NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS CAN'T DRIVE MORE THAN 20 MINUTES ON THE FREEWAY OR ELSE MY CAR STARTS MAKING A WEIRD NOISE AND LOSES POWER SHIFTING AT HIGH RPMS

NHTSA ID 11373055 · filed Nov 4, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated while the vehicle was having a routine oil change at the dealer, the mechanic stated that rear crossmember bar was rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact was informed that the front crossmember bar needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 116,000. The consumer stated while the mechanic was attempting to change the front cross member started taking the front end apart, he said he had stripped a bolt on the catalytic converter. Also, the dealer charged the consumer for a new catalytic converter without permission. A new appointment was made on 12/14/2022 to fix the damages at their cost.

NHTSA ID 11494679 · filed Nov 23, 2022

WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS NEW RECALL IN JULY 2020 A DETACHED FRONT CONTROL ARM MAY MAKE YOU LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR .MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER LOST CONTROL OF HER CAR BECAUSE THE RIGHT SIDE TIRE STARTED TO SHAKE AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL CAR AND WRECKED ON 6/26/2020 HER AIR BAGS ON PASSENGER SIDE CAME OUT WHEN SHE WENT OFF THE ROAD IN A DITCH. SHE WAS DRIVING IN CLEAR CONDITIONS AT 55 MPH AND THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE STARTED TO SHAKE. SHE WAS GIVEN A TICKET FOR FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF HER CAR. AND HAS A COURT DATE WITH RECKLESS DRIVING. I CAN GIVE YOU THE VA COURT ID FOR THE DETAILS OF THIS.

NHTSA ID 11343807 · filed Aug 7, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I was driving down the road and spun out of control because my rack and pinion steering inner and outer tie rod snapped in half, because of rust from salt water and corrosion on the metal, resulting in my loss of control and front passenger wheel turned 90 degrees inward and nearly ripped the front tire off and under the car, brought the car home and inspected it tthoroughly, and saw the immediate problem

NHTSA ID 11551735 · filed Oct 24, 2023

SUB FRAME IS BAD ON THE CAR. HAD 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS LOOK AND STATE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. CALLED MITSUBISHI MOTORS AND DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES NO RESOLUTION...

NHTSA ID 11362058 · filed Sep 30, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS ON THE 4TH FLOOR OF A PARKING GARAGE IN MY TOWN AND WAS GOING UP TO THE TOP LEVEL. AS I AM ABOUT TO TURN THE CORNER, I REALIZE I AM GOING A BIT FASTER THAN I THOUGHT. SO I APPLY FULL PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES WHICH DID NOT WORK AS FAST AS THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO. THE TOW TRUCK MAN LATER TOLD ME THAT I WAS GOING AROUND 20 TO 30 MPH AT TIME OF IMPACT. WHEN I HIT THE PILLAR IN FRONT OF ME, THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY AND MY SEATBELT DID NOT TIGHTEN AS THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO. THIS MEANT THAT MY WHOLE BODY SNAPPED FORWARD AND IMPACTED COLLARBONE FIRST INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. AFTER THIS INCIDENT, MY WHOLE LEFT SIDE FELT NUMB AND I WAS LEFT WITH A SWOLLEN COLLARBONE AND CONTUSIONS FROM THE IMPACT.

NHTSA ID 11290578 · filed Dec 21, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT MALFUNCTIONED MULTIPLE TIMES AND WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS REPAIRED ON TWO OCCASIONS BUT THE DEFECT RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000

NHTSA ID 10598665 · filed Jun 16, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE BLOWER MOTOR UPON TURNING ON THE AIR CONDITION SYSTEM. MAX MADSEN'S AURORA MITSUBISHI (3990 OGDEN AVE, AURORA, IL 60504) WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V233000 (VISIBILITY). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000.*DT CONSUMER STATED WHEN HEAT WAS TURNED ON ABNORMAL NOISE WOULD COME ON. BLOWER MOTOR WAS REPLACED.*JB

NHTSA ID 11328333 · filed Jun 11, 2020

CAR DEFOG FAILED AT NIGHT IN HIGHWAY IN A HEAVY RAINSTORM. DRIVER AND PASSENGER UNABLE TO SEE LANES OUT OF ALL WINDOWS. APPRIXIMATE SPEED WAS 100 K.M. THIS OCCURRED DURING A WARM SUMMER MONTH. DRIVER ALMOST CRASHED CAR AND ENDED UP IN A DITCH ON ROADSIDE AFTER NOT SEEING CURVE IN ROAD.

NHTSA ID 11196498 · filed Apr 15, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I was driving down the road and spun out of control because my rack and pinion steering inner and outer tie rod snapped in half, because of rust from salt water and corrosion on the metal, resulting in my loss of control and front passenger wheel turned 90 degrees inward and nearly ripped the front tire off and under the car, brought the car home and inspected it tthoroughly, and saw the immediate problem

NHTSA ID 11551735 · filed Oct 24, 2023

I HAVE A 09 LANCER I HAD THE BRAKE RECALL DONE A MONTH LATER I WAS DRIVING TO WORK JUST GOT OFF THE EXPRESSWAY WAS ON A SIDE STREET DOING 30 MILES PER HOUR THE SPEED LIMIT THE BRAKES FAILED CAUSING ME TO REAREND ANOTHER CAR I AM INJURED AND IN THERAPY ALSO NONE OF THE AIR BAGS WENT OFF THERE IS OVER $6000 DOLLARS IN DAMAGE ON JUST MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID 10280237 · filed Aug 12, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE INFLATING A CUSTOMER'S TIRE, THE AIR VALVE ON A TPMS SENSOR BROKE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10584056 · filed Apr 21, 2014

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE PASSENGER TIRE VALVE FRACTURED CAUSING THE TIRE TO BECOME FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VALVE WAS REPLACED ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES. SINCE THE REPAIR, THE TPMS LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND HE HAD TO AD AIR TO THE TIRES EVERY 3 DAYS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,500.

NHTSA ID 10395630 · filed Apr 12, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

2009 LANCER, CLUTCH WENT OUT AT UNDER 20,000 MILES. I HAVE BEEN READING OF MANY CLUTCH PROBLEMS IN PAST MODELS, IS THERE A TREND HERE. I HAVE OWED 15 CARS, HALF HAVE BEEN MANUAL TRANSMISSION. I HAVE ONLY HAD TO REPLACE 2 CLUTCHES: MITSUBISHI 3000 GT AT 40,000 AND THE LANCER AT 18,000. I HAVE A 10 YEAR OLD JEEP WRANGLER MANUAL THAT MY KIDS LEARNED TO DRIVE ON WITH ABOUT 70,000 MILES WITH IT'S ORIGINAL CLUTCH. *TR

NHTSA ID 10277407 · filed Jul 20, 2009

I BOUGHT A 2009 MITSUBISHI LANCER IN MAY OF '08. I TRADED IN MY '04 LANCER AT THAT TIME WITH 145,000KMS. ALL ORIGINAL PARTS EXCEPT FOR BRAKES. I MOVED TO BC IN AUG '08 FROM ALBERTA WHERE I HAD BOUGHT MY CAR. *TR I WAS COMING HOME FROM CHRISTMAS IN AB ON JAN.2/09 WHEN THE HINGE ON MY DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW BROKE, AND MY CLUTCH STARTED TO SLIP. I DROVE MY MY CAR AN HOUR AND A HALF TO THE NEAREST MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY. THE MECHANIC THAT DAY TOLD ME THAT THE REAR SEAL HAD A LEAK, THAT OIL HAD BEEN SPRAYING LIKELY THROUGH THE CLUTCH AND THAT I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE MADE IT. WHEN A DIFFERENT PERSON CALLED ME ON MONDAY, HE SAID THAT WHEN THEY TOOK IT APART, THE SEAL HAD BEEN FACTORY INSTALLED WRONG AND THAT'S WHAT WAS CAUSING THE OIL TO LEAK. HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO TRACE OF OIL IN THE CLUTCH AND THAT IT WAS WORN. HE TOLD ME THAT THEY WILL COVER THE SEAL AND THE WINDOW, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE CLUTCH. I HAVE DRIVEN MANUAL FOR OVER 10 YEARS. I HAVE DRIVEN TO AB AND BACK 4 TIMES IN MY NEW CAR, SO 80% OF THE 30,000KMS ON IT ARE HWY DRIVEN. I GOT 145,000KMS AND 4 1/2 YRS ON THE LAST LANCER I BOUGHT, AND TRADED IT IN WITH THE ORIGINAL CLUTCH. I HAVE TALKED TO MGR'S AND SUPERVISOR'S, AND THEY ALL GO BACK AND TALK TO THE MECHANIC. SAYING THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE. NO SECOND OPINION. LEAVING ME TO COVER THE COST OF A NEW CLUTCH ($600). I HAVE SINCE FOUND REPORTS THAT THERE HAVE BEEN PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH CLUTCHES ON OLDER MODELS. COULD THERE NOT BE PROBLEMS WITH NEW ONES TOO? ESPECIALLY WHEN 2 OTHER MAJOR BREAKS HAPPENED ON THE SAME DAY ON MY CAR? BOTH FACTORY PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10254330 · filed Jan 8, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The car started to slow down on its own even when my foot was on the gas it wouldn’t pick up speed over 20mph then it started to over heat, then smoke. It sounded like sparks like from a firecracker and smelt like something was burning to the point I had to pull over and turn the car off so my children and I could get out and breathe. When I restarted it turned on but would not drive when put into gear. I had it towed and the next day I tried again only this time the battery was dead and nothing was left on in the car I couldn’t understand how this happened so I bought a new battery put it in and it started still wouldn’t move though so I gave it a few days went to try again and the new battery was dead like something was draining all the power.

NHTSA ID 11521960 · filed May 15, 2023

HAVING NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS CAN'T DRIVE MORE THAN 20 MINUTES ON THE FREEWAY OR ELSE MY CAR STARTS MAKING A WEIRD NOISE AND LOSES POWER SHIFTING AT HIGH RPMS

NHTSA ID 11373055 · filed Nov 4, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I was driving down the road and spun out of control because my rack and pinion steering inner and outer tie rod snapped in half, because of rust from salt water and corrosion on the metal, resulting in my loss of control and front passenger wheel turned 90 degrees inward and nearly ripped the front tire off and under the car, brought the car home and inspected it tthoroughly, and saw the immediate problem

NHTSA ID 11551735 · filed Oct 24, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .