Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
160–25K
1825–50K
1050–75K
1475–100K
16100–150K
12150K+
86 reports with mileage · 62 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Visibility. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
32 crash reports1 fire reports17 injury reports
What owners actually said
148 reports
200,000 miles · Jan 28, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE CATALYTIC C…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 247,000. UPDATED 03/09/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED BEFORE THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED SHE DIDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER UNNECESSARY REPAIRS TO HER VEHICLE AND WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT. UPDATED 03/11/09. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10256613
63,000 miles · Jan 7, 2009
Power Train
CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER WENT BAD I WAS STOCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY NOT ABLE TO SHIFT INTO GEARS. VERY COSTLY REPAIR FORCED ME TO REPLACE CLUTCH PLUS THE CYLINDER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10254174
5,840 miles · Dec 11, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL FAILURES REGARDING THE BRAKE SYSTEM. WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, SHE HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY TIGHTENED THE SUSPENSION STEERING. ONE YEAR LA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL FAILURES REGARDING THE BRAKE SYSTEM. WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, SHE HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY TIGHTENED THE SUSPENSION STEERING. ONE YEAR LATER, WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKES BEGAN TO SQUEAK AND FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY FOUND NO FAILURES WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM. TWO YEARS LATER, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND THEY STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES HAD A TEN PERCENT LOSS IN BRAKING POWER. THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED. SIX MONTHS LATER, WHILE BACKING UP THE VEHICLE, SHE HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY RESURFACED BOTH REAR DRUMS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY; THEREFORE, NO REPAIRS WERE MADE UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,840 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000. UPDATED 12/22/08 *CN UPDATED 12/29/08. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10251458
207,908 miles · Nov 30, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainUnknown Or Other
1/ AT ABOUT 207000 MILES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALERS DIAGNOSIS AND 2 OTHER REPAIR SHOPS : CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS TO BE REPLACED. COST FOR THIS JOB: $ 1500. I DID NOT REPLACE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND WAS PERFORMING NORMALLY. THIS HAPPENED FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE, THAT CATALYTIC CON…
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1/ AT ABOUT 207000 MILES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALERS DIAGNOSIS AND 2 OTHER REPAIR SHOPS : CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS TO BE REPLACED. COST FOR THIS JOB: $ 1500. I DID NOT REPLACE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND WAS PERFORMING NORMALLY. THIS HAPPENED FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE, THAT CATALYTIC CONVERTER GIVES UP DURING THE LIFE OF THE CAR. 2/ AT 246,570 MILES WHILE VEHICLE WAS ON, WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. DEALERS DIAGNOSIS: CAR NEEDS CLUTCH ASSEMBLY AND RESURFACE FLYWHEEL AND CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER. COST FOR THIS REPAIR: ABOUT 1,200 PLUS TAX AGAIN 1ST TIME HAPPENED TO ME THAT CAR NEEDS CLUTCH ASSEMBLY WORK WITH SLAVE CYLINDER DURING THE LIVE OF THE CAR. 4/ WHILE THEY CHECKED THE CAR FOR GEAR PROBLEM THEY RECOMMENDED TO ME TO REPLACE TIMING BELT: COST $ 723 PLUS TAX AND REPLACING VALVE COVER GASKET: COST $ 264 PLUS TAX I BELIEVE THEY RIPPING PEOPLE OFF, BECAUSE WHILE REPLACING TIMING BELT THEY HAVE TO REMOVE VALVE COVER AND THEY SHOULD NOT CHARGE 2X FOR REMOVING VALVE COVER. THIS WAS ESTIMATED BY MITSUBISHI-MAZDA DEALERSHIP IN SAN BERNARDINO, CA. I'M QUESTIONING THEIR PRICES AND ABILITY TO PROPERLY DIAGNOSE AND DO THIS REPAIRS BASED ON THE STATEMENTS THEY MADE AND THEIR PRICES. AFTER EVERY TIME THIS CAR IS SERVICED AT MITSUBISHI DEALER THIS CAR HAVE MORE PROBLEMS: SCREWS MISSING, BROKEN PARTS, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON. I NEED FROM MITSUBISHI MOTOR OF NORTH AMERICA INC. LIST OF GOOD REPAIR FACILITIES WHERE THE CAR CAN BE REPAIRED NOT SABOTAGED, WHERE THEY HAVE KNOWLEDGEABLE TECHNICIAN NOT MONKEYS. I HAD A FEW CARS, BUT NEVER HAPPENED THAT CATALYTIC CONVERTER OR CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DURING THE LIFE OF THE CAR, OR I HAD TO SPENT FEW THOUSAND OF $$ FOR REPAIRS WHILE MAINTAINING THE CAR PROPERLY DURING IT'S LIFE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10250195
Mileage unknown · Nov 11, 2008
Visibility
AC HEATER KNOB BROKE OFF CAUSING A 1,000 DOLLARS IN DAMAGE ON A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER. OTHER CUSTOMERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM BUT MITSUBISHI WILL NOT BACK THERE PROBLEM. I THINK THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS PART AND FIX THE PROBLEM. MITSUBISHI CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID THEY WILL NOT RECALL BECAUSE IT IS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN.…
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AC HEATER KNOB BROKE OFF CAUSING A 1,000 DOLLARS IN DAMAGE ON A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER. OTHER CUSTOMERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM BUT MITSUBISHI WILL NOT BACK THERE PROBLEM. I THINK THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS PART AND FIX THE PROBLEM. MITSUBISHI CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID THEY WILL NOT RECALL BECAUSE IT IS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN. I THINK IT IS BECAUSE MOST OF THE CONTROLS BREAK OFF ON A/C AND THAT WOULD NOT BE FUN DRIVING IN A BLIZZARD WITH YOUR A/C ON IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER. I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON FIGHTING FOR A RECALL OTHER CUSTOMERS ARE TO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10248414
93,000 miles · Sep 14, 2008
Visibility
THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CHANGE FROM HOT TO COLD. IT SEEMS TO STICK AT ONE TEMPERATURE IN THE MIDDLE POSITION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10242170
55,000 miles · Jun 10, 2008
Power Train
I DRIVE A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER OZ RALLY AND OUT OF NOWHERE I LOST ALL RESISTANCE IN THE CLUTCH AND WAS STRANDED WITH A BLOWN SLAVE CYLINDER. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10230465
120,000 miles · May 29, 2008
Air BagsCrashInjury
I WAS IN MY 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER AND WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35-40 MILES AN HOUR AND HIT A YUKON HEAD ON. MY CAR IS COMPLETELY CRUMPLED AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS IS THE SECOND MAJOR FRONT END ACCIDENT I HAVE HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE (THE PREVIOUS ONE IN 2002) AND BOTH TIMES, THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. NOTHING WAS DON…
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I WAS IN MY 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER AND WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35-40 MILES AN HOUR AND HIT A YUKON HEAD ON. MY CAR IS COMPLETELY CRUMPLED AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS IS THE SECOND MAJOR FRONT END ACCIDENT I HAVE HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE (THE PREVIOUS ONE IN 2002) AND BOTH TIMES, THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. NOTHING WAS DONE BY MITSUBISHI EITHER TIME TO CORRECT THE SITUATION. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO WALK AWAY FROM BOTH BUT I WORRY THAT OTHERS MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN TO THEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10229237
Mileage unknown · May 21, 2008
Power Train
FAILURE OF THE SLAVE CYLINDER 5 TIMES IN MY CAR TWICE IN 2005 TWICE IN 2006 TO 2007 AND ONCE PRESENTLY THIS PART IS UNBELIEVABLE HOW MANY TIME DO I HAVE TO CHANGE THIS ONE PART AND SPOKE TO A MITSUBISHI REP AND SAID THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME. 2002 MITSUBITSHI LANCER OZ EDITION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10228558
82,000 miles · Apr 15, 2008
Visibility
TEMPERATURE CONTROL ROTARY SWITCH VERY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE. CHANGE FROM HOT SIDE TO COLD SIDE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. I BELIEVE RECENTLY THAT IT FAILED BEHIND THE DASH AS IT CAN NOT BE SWITCHED TO THE HOT SIDE ANY MORE. HAVE NOT REPAIRED YET - WILL EXPECT TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE CABLE. *TR
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2002-2007 Lancer, 2004 Lancer Wagon, 2003-2006 Lancer Evolution, 2003-2006 Outlander and 2007-2013 Outlander V-6 vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied or the front cross member will be replaced with a new one that has a sealing/anti-corrosion agent applied to it. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-003.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy: MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2002 Mitsubishi Lancer Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year