2002 Mitsubishi Lancer

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/30/2002· TIRES

  WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLOWOUT. PLEASE PROVIDE THE SIZE AND DOT#. DEALER NOTIFIED. TX

• 12/27/2007· POWER TRAIN

  PURCHASED CAR BRAND NEW IN 2002, DAILY DRIVER NOTHING SPECIAL. HAD TO REPLACE FULL CLUTCH ASSEMBLY IN 2004 DUE TO MASSIVE MECHANICAL FAILURE (COST 900$ OUT OF MY POCKET) NOT EVEN 1 YEAR LATER, CLUTCH FAILS AGAIN DUE TO MECHANICAL FAILURE (680$ TO REPAIR) NOW IN 2007 I AM LOOKING AT ANOTHER BUSTED CLUTCH, THE SLAVE OR MASTER CYLINDER GAVE OUT WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS CAR TO NEED A CLUTCH JOB 3 TIMES IN 4 YEARS...... *TR

• 12/23/2010· VISIBILITY,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  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

• 12/17/2002· AIR BAGSCrash

  WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH ON THE HIGHWAY ANOTHER VEHICLE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT HER. THE DUAL AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS

• 12/13/2011· VISIBILITY

  MY 2002 LANCERS TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB BROKE THIS MORNING WHILE I WAS TRYING TO ENGAGE THE HEAT PORTION OF THE TEMPERATURE GAGE TO DEFROST MY WINDSHIELD. I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH ON HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE LANCER. IF THIS IS SUCH A COMMON ISSUE, MITSUBISHI SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND ISSUE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL ON THE SYSTEM TO FIX IT. NOW I HAVE NO HEAT IN THE WINTER AND THE DEALER WANTS $1000+ TO FIX THE SYSTEM THAT WAS NEVER ENGINEERED PROPERLY. *TR

• 12/13/2006· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE CLUTCH FELT AS IF IT HAD LOST PRESSURE. THIS CAUSED A HESITATION IN THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WORE OUT TOO QUICKLY. THE BRAKES HAD TO BE CHANGED 7 TIMES IN 5 YEARS DUE TO WEAR ON THE PADS. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.

• 12/11/2008· 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 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

• 12/07/2007· AIR BAGSCrash

  AIR BAGS 2002 MITS . LANCER THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY MY CAR WAS HIT FROM THE REAR CAUSING IT TO HIT A CEMENT RETAINING WALL FROM THE FRONT AND SIDES AND NO AIR BAGS WENT OFF. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE SURGERIES FROM THE FAILED AIR BAGS. *TR

• 12/07/2007· AIR BAGSCrash

  MY CAR STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE REAR AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR WAS ALSO HIT FROM THE SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

• 12/07/2004· AIR BAGSCrash

  VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP SIGN, PULLING OUT WHEN A TRUCK "T-BONED" THE CAR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES, BUT DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. CAR WAS TOTALLED.*AK

• 12/03/2004· STEERING

  WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH STEERING WHEEL COLLAPSED. CONSUMER HAD DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

• 12/02/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO INSPECT A BOTTOM ENGINE NOISE, AFTER A QUICK INSPECTION THE MECHANIC INFORMED HIS MANAGER OF A SUPPOSED RAPID LEAK OF OIL, RESULTING IN DAMAGE OF PARTS. I EXPLIANED TO THE MANAGER THAT I'VE OWN THE CAR SINCE NEW AND THERE NEVER BEEN AN OIL LEAK BECAUSE IM THE ONE WHO HAVE DONE THE OIL CHANGE FOR THE PAST 2 YRS, THAT THE GREASE HE SUPPOSED IS OIL IS THE AMOROLE ACUMULATING UNDER THE CAR FROM RECENT DETAILING DONE BY MYSELF. THE MANAGER CONTACTED THE WARRANTY AND WITHOUT HEARING AN EXPLANATION OR CLOSELY INSPECTING THE CAR THE DECIDED THAT IS NOT GOING TO BE FIXED. *AK

• 12/02/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE REVVED WHILE SLOWING DOWN WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SURGE AND THE CAR TO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE. *TS *NLM

• 11/30/2016· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000 (SUSPENSION) IN AUGUST. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

• 11/30/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN 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 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

• 11/26/2018· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  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.

• 11/25/2004· STRUCTURE

  FACTORY DEFECTIVE PAINT SPOTS ON HOOD,DAMAGE TO HOOD DURING MAINTENCE BY DEALERSHIP. *AK

• 11/12/2010· VISIBILITY

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLIMATE CONTROL KNOB HAD BROKEN. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO USE THE HEAT OR DEFROST OPTION AS A RESULT. THE CONTACT HAD NOTICED THAT THE KNOB WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENTIRE CLIMATE CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 580,000.

• 11/12/2003· SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,TIRES

  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

• 11/12/2002· STEERING

  RIGHT & LEFT REAR END LINKS/WHEEL BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED. DT

• 11/12/2002· SEATS

  SPRINGS IN SEAT ARE MAKING NOISE DUE TO RUSTING.

• 11/12/2002· WHEELS

  LUG NUTS. DT

• 11/12/2002· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  PAINT CHIPS EASILY ON ANY PANEL. DT

• 11/12/2002· VISIBILITY

  DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOWS WOULD FOG UP ON THE OUTSIDE WHENEVER THE AIR CONDITIONER IS TURNED ON. THE PROBLEM CAN HAPPEN WHILE VEHICLE IS IDLING. A RENTAL VEHICLE FROM ENTERPRISE. MR

• 11/12/2002· STRUCTURE

  VEHICLE IS RUSTING AT FACTORY SEAMS/WELDS FOR FRONT FRAME RAILS & APRON. DT

• 11/11/2008· 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. 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

• 11/08/2005· AIR BAGSCrash

  NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AFTER ACCIDENT EVEN AFTER VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER. *NM

• 11/04/2003· STEERING

  INTERMITTENTLY THE STEERING COLUMN COLLAPSED INTO DRIVER'S LAP WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. DEALER STATED THIS WAS UNUSUAL, WE NEVER HEARD A CASE LIKE THIS PROBLEM.*AK

• 11/03/2006· POWER TRAIN

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S CLUTCH BURNED UP. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE DEALER TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE ISSUE.

• 10/25/2010· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  1) THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER 130,000 MILES. HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND IT REQUIRED A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER. 2) THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB BROKE OFF. IT SEEMS LIKE BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS ARE COMMON IN MITSUBISHI LANCERS. *TR

• 10/24/2002· STEERING,SUSPENSIONCrash

  LOWER CONTROL ARM ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE BUCKLED UNDER RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE STRIKING A CURB AT ~55 MPH. DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO FIX UNDER WARRANTY CITING THERE IS NO PROOF THAT HITTING THE CURB DID NOT CAUSE THE DAMAGE. I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THERE HAD BEEN A SIMILIAR INCIDENT THE PREVIOUS WEEK INVOLVING ANOTHER LANCER. ON THIS VEHICLE THE FAILURE WAS ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS FAILURE ALSO RESULTED IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AS WELL AS STRIKING AN OBJECT WITH THE VEHICLE. DT

• 10/23/2006· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  I PURCHASED MY 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER IN 2001, IT HAD 7 MILES ON IT. IN THE YEARS SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THE CAR I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS 6 TIMES. IT NOW HAS 88,000 MILES ON IT. I PRETTY MUCH HAVE TO GET A NEW SET EVERY YEAR, AND THESE ARE THE EXPENSIVE LIFETIME PADS. I HAVE TURNED THE ROTORS TWICE AND ALREADY REPLACED THEM ONCE. WHEN TRYING TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS MY MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE BACK BREAKS HAD NEVER BEEN USED, THEY STILL HAD UNTOUCHED MANUFACTURER BRAKE PADS. SO THE BACK BREAKS HAD NEVER WORKED. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY DID LOOK AT THE CAR, THEY STATED THAT IT WAS SIMPLY AN ISSUE OF A DISCONNECTED LINE (AFTER I HAD BEEN DRIVING THE CAR FOR 4 YEARS). BUT THEN 6 MONTHS LATER I HAD TO CHANGE THE BRAKES YET AGAIN AFTER ONLY 5,000 MILES. ONCE AGAIN- THE BACK BREAKS WERE STILL UNTOUCHED. I CALLED THE DEALER ABOUT THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY UP FRONT FOR ANY INSPECTION OR REPAIRS SINCE MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF IMMEDIATELY AND IS A POTENTIAL SERIOUS DANGER, I HAVE YET TO CONTACT CORPORATE REGARDING THIS MATTER AS I HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY WOULD NOT INVOLVE THEMSELVES BY OTHER MITSUBISHI OWNERS. *NM

• 10/22/2002· AIR BAGSCrash

  CONSUMER STATES TRAVELLING APPROX 25-30MPH AND REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. TS

• 10/20/2011· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY

  I HAVE A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER AND THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB IN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO TURN SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE KNOB BROKE OFF TWO WEEKS AGO. I CONTACTED MY DEALER WHO STATED THAT I CAN NOT JUST CHANGE THE KNOB I HAVE TO CHANGE THE WHOLE UNIT WHICH WILL COST ME AROUND $ 600.00 PLUS SERVICES FEES TO INSTALL IT. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM, SINCE HEATING (AND COOLING) A VEHICLE ALLOWS IT TO BE OPERABLE DURING HOT AND COLD TEMPERATURES. IT IS NOW BEGINNING TO GET COLD. *TR

• 10/17/2010· VISIBILITY

  THE HVAC CONTROL UNIT IN MY 02 MITSUBISHI LANCER HAS A MECHANICAL FLAW STARTING WITH THE HEAT /AC KNOBS. THE VACUUM LINE BEHIND THE KNOB IS TOO WEAK TO ACTIVATE THE HEATER CORE LEVER AND DEFROST CONTROLS MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE WHEN DRIVING. THE SYSTEM AS A WHOLE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BY MITSUBISHI AS I HAVE READ THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS IN FORUMS AROUND THE WEB.THE DEFROST ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DOESN'T WORK BECAUSE OF THESE CONTROLS AND VISIBILITY IS REALLY POOR DURING FALL AND WINTER MONTHS AND THIS IS SOMETHING I CANT FIX MYSELF AND I AM POSTING TO HELP OTHER LANCER DRIVERS AS WELL AS IT IS A PERSISTENT UNDERLYING PROBLEM. *TR

• 10/15/2016· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  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

• 10/15/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VISIBILITY,EQUIPMENT

  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.

• 10/10/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  VEHICLE ACCELERATES ON IT'S OWN. I HAVE INFORMED MITSHUBISHI OF THE PROBLEM HOWEVER ACCORDING TO MITSHUBISHI THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM BY COMPUTER SO AS FAR AS THEY WERE CONCERNED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. I RECENTLY HAD AN ACCIDENT IN THE CAR AND OF COURSE MITSHUBISHI IS TRYING TO WIGGLE OUT OF IT. I GUESS I HAVE TO GET KILLED IN THEIR VEHICLE BEFORE ANYTHING WILL BE DONE. ALL I WANT IS FOR MITSHUBISHI TO TAKE THEIR DEFECTIVE MERCHANDISE AND GIVE ME THE MONEY THAT I HAVE INVESTED IN THIS DEATH TRAP SO THAT I CAN PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE. I AM VERY SORRY THAT I EVER BOUGHT THIS CAR. IT IS A SERIOUS DEATH TRAP!!!!!!! *JB

• 10/08/2012· AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKESCrash

  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

• 10/08/2004· POWER TRAIN

  PUSHED IN CLUTCH PEDAL, HEARD A LOUD POP, AND CLUTCH PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CLUTCH WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT WERE THE CAR STALLED. GOT THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALER STATED SEALS INSIDE SLAVE CYLINDER BLEW OUT AND COATED THE CLUTCH DISC, PRESSURE PLATE, AND FLYWHEEL WITH FLUID. REPLACED SLAVE CYLINDER AND PRESSURE PLATE, AND RESURFACED THE FLYWHEEL. I HAD TO PAY $1009.35 TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK. *NM

• 10/08/2002· UNKNOWN OR OTHERCrash

  MR

• 10/04/2010· VISIBILITY

  I HAVE A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER AND THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB IN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO TURN SINCE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND HAS SINCE DETERIORATED. THE KNOB BROKE OFF TWO WEEKS AGO. I CONTACTED MY DEALER WHO STATED THAT I CAN NOT JUST CHANGE THE KNOB I HAVE TO CHANGE THE WHOLE UNIT WHICH WILL COST ME AROUND $ 400.00 PLUS SERVICES FEES TO INSTALL IT. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM, SINCE HEATING (AND COOLING) A VEHICLE ALLOWS IT TO BE OPERABLE DURING HOT AND COLD TEMPERATURES. IT IS NOW BEGINNING TO GET COLD. I HAVE SEARCHON THE INTERNET FOR A CHEAPER TEMPERATURE CONTROL UNIT BUT HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 10/02/2002· AIR BAGSCrash

  THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NLM

• 09/21/2004· SUSPENSION

  LEFT REAR OF CAR WAS MAKING A INTERMITTENT NOISE THAT WAS FASTER WITH SPEED OF CAR. CHECKED STRUT ON LEFT REAR FOUND IT TO BE DEFECTIVE. WHILE WAITING FOR PART TO BE SHIPPED THE STRUT ON LEFT REAR CAME COMPLETELY APART. THIS APPEARS TO BE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO COMPLETE SEPARATION OF TOP AND BOTTOM OF STRUT.*AK

• 09/14/2008· 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

• 09/06/2016· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

  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.

• 09/06/2011· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY

  THIS IS A COMPLAINT I HAVE SEEN ON OTHER WEBSITES FROM THOUSANDS OF OTHER MITSUBISHI LANCERS FROM 2000- 2005, BUT MAINLY IN THE 2002 MODEL RANGE. THE HEATER/AIR CONDITIONER CONTROLS SEIZE UP AND EITHER THE CABLE FREEZES UP AND THE CONTROL KNOB SNAPS OFF ON THE TEMPERATURE CONTROLS. TO ME THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN NOT NECESSARILY FOR THE USE OF THE VEHICLE, BUT RATHER FOR THE HEALTH OF THE DRIVER AND THOSE WHO RIDE IN THE VEHICLE. THEY COULD FREEZE IN THE WINTER OR GET HEAT STROKE IN THE SUMMER. *TR

• 09/05/2016· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  SLAVE CYLINDER INTERNAL AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE INTERNAL SLAVE CYLINDERS IN THESE MODEL YEARS BEFORE MITSUBISHI REALIZED THEY NEEDED TO MAKE THEM EXTERNAL. HAVING TO REPLACE THEM IS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE AND REQUIRES NEW CLUTCH, PRESSURE PLATE AND ALL OTHER COMPONENTS BECAUSE OF THE FLUID THE CYLINDER LEAKS ALL OVER THE INSIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION. THEY SHOULD RECALL THESE IF THEY EXPECT PEOPLE TO CONTINUE BUYING THEIR VEHICLES. I FOR ONE WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER MITSUBISHI BECAUSE THE ONLY RECAP THEY HAVE ACTUALLY SENT ME WAS FOR THE CONTROL ARMS THAT I ALREADY REPLACED ON MY OWN BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH THEY SENT ME THE RECALL THEY ALSO NOTED ON THERE THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR ANY DEALERSHIP AT THIS POINT. VERY AGGRAVATED WITH THIS COMPANY AND THINK THEY SHOULD TREAT OWNERS AND OUR SAFETY AS A HIGHER PRIORITY. THIS SLAVE CYLINDER ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT COME OUT OF GEAR BECAUSE ALL THE FLUID WAS BEING SQUIRTED INTO THE REST OF THE CLUTCH COMPONENTS. VERY DISAPPOINTED AND WISHING I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NOW. TAKE BETTER CARE OF YOUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS AND OUR SAFETY MITSUBISHI OR YOU WILL KEEP LOSING THEM ONE BY ONE. IT IS AN EASY FIX FOR YOU TO RECALL THESE INTERNAL JUNK SLAVE CYLINDERS AND EITHER REPLACE THEM AT THE VERY LEAST OR EVEN CONVERT THEM TO EXTERNAL LIKE YOU DID A YEAR OR TWO AFTER YOU OBVIOUSLY REALIZED YOUR MISTAKE AND BAD IDEA.

• 09/04/2005· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN 2003 AND WAS HAPPY WITH IT'S PERFORMANCE UP UNTIL SEPTEMBER OF 2005. ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE CAR MAKING A FUNNY NOISE AND ACCELERATING ON IT'S OWN. I TOOK THE CAR TO HAVE IT SERVICED AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE REPAIR PERSON THAT NO ONE HAD EVER REPORTED HAVING A PROBLEM OF THIS KIND. SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING IT. I BOUGHT ALL NEW TIRES BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THAT MY TWO FRONT TIRES WERE STARTING TO BALD. IT APPEARS AS THOUGH THE CAR COULD BE IDLED TOO HIGH OR SOMETHING. SINCE I DO NOT KNOW THAT MUCH ABOUT I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE. IF MITSUBISHI DOES NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT THERE WOULD BE NO WAY THAT I WOULD EVEN HAVE A CLUE. I HAD MY VEHICLE SERVICED BY MITSUBISHI IN SEPTEMBER 2002. I WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DUE FOR SOME COMPUTER UPGRADES WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE CAUSED THE PROBLEM THAT I EXPERIENCED WITH MY VEHICLE. ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT SINCE I HAVE HAD THE CAR SERVICED IT STILL FEELS AS THOUGH IT IS ACCELERATING WHEN I AM TRYING TO SLOW DOWN. I AM NOW IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO PAY OFF THE VEHICLE SO THAT I CAN TRADE IT IN FOR ANOTHER MAKE/MODEL. BEFORE THIS PROBLEM AROSE I HAD ANTICIPATED TRADING MY LANCER IN FOR THE NEW ECLIPSE. I GUESS THAT I DO NOT HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT MISUBISHI WILL BE LOSING ME AS A CUSTOMER. MY VEHICLE IS A MITSUBISHI LANCER ES 2002. *JB

• 08/31/2011· AIR BAGSCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE METAL RAILING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS HOME. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THE VEHICLE DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. RVK