2009 Mitsubishi Lancer problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (16) · Exterior Lighting (11) · Service Brakes (8)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mitsubishi Lancer model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
67 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (6)
Structure:frame And Members 2020-05-18 · campaign 20V279000 · 141,200 vehicles
Defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Sportback, 2008-2013 Outlander, and 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The front lower c
Risk: A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-20-003.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys 2018-01-26 · campaign 18V069000 · 141,053 vehicles
Defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Lancer, 2008-2012 Outlander, 2010-2012 Lancer Sportback, and 2011-2012 Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with either a 4B11 or 4B12 engine. The drive belt automatic tensioner flange may crack, allowing the accessory drive belt to detach.
Risk: If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the belt tensioner with one that has an improved shape, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-001.
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2018-01-26 · campaign 18V071000 · 56,641 vehicles
Defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Outlander, 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Evolution, and 2010 Lancer Sportback vehicles equipped with sunroofs. The sunroof glass may detach from the sunroof assembly, becoming a road hazard to other vehicles.
Risk: If the sunroof glass detaches from the assembly while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sunroof glass assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-003.
Electrical System 2015-04-20 · campaign 15V232000 · 53,396 vehicles
Defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles manufactured January 12, 2009, to July 6, 2010, 2009-2010 Outlander vehicles manufactured January 12, 2009, to August 27, 2010, 2010 Lancer Sportback vehicles manufactured June 17, 2009, to June 8, 2010, and 2010 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured July 14, 2009, to August 4, 2010. The affected vehicles have an electronic control unit (ECU) that controls the head lights, ta
Risk: Unstable voltage could result in intermittent failure of the vehicle's head lights, tail lights, and windshield wipers. If the headlights and/or windshield wipers fail, the driver could have reduced visibility. If the tail lights fail, the vehicle could be less visible. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected ECU, free of charge. The recall began on June 15 ,2015. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-15-002.
Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:fan/Motor 2015-04-20 · campaign 15V233000 · 76,958 vehicles
Defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Lancer vehicles manufactured March 16, 2009, to March 30, 2011, 2010-2011 Lancer Sportback vehicles manufactured June 17, 2009, to December 1, 2010, 2010-2011 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured July 14, 2009, to January 7, 2011, 2009-2011 Outlander vehicles manufactured February 10, 2009, to June 22, 2011, and 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured August 26, 2010, to November 19, 2010. In the a
Risk: Failure of the blower motor may reduce the performance of the windshield defroster, diminishing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace a suspect blower motor, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-15-003.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys 2014-09-12 · campaign 14V562000 · 165,923 vehicles
Defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Lancer, Lancer Evolution, and Outlander; 2009-2011 Lancer Sportback, Lancer Rilliart, and Lancer Sportback Ralliart; and 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles. The affected vehicles, manufactured with 4B1 engines, have an engine pulley and belt arrangement for turning the alternator, the cooling fan and the power steering pump (if equipped). These pulleys may experience unusual wear and allow for belt detachme
Risk: If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the drive belt with a rubber belt. Drive pulleys that are excessively worn will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 15, 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-009.
Service bulletins (107)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Seat Belts 2025-11-21 · TECH TALK 289 · Other
tech talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. it covers various topics and reviews the previous months publications.
Power Train 2023-07-21 · TSB-23-22-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this technical service bulletin provides service manual corrections and additional information for the transaxle assembly removal and installation of the roll stopper bracket.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-07-21 · DEALER LETTER · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a dealer letter sent to dealers informing that mitsubishi technical training has launched the 3rd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.
Structure 2023-04-24 · TSB-23-00-004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this technical service bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of rap-film adhesive residue.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-04-24 · TSB-23-00-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this technical service bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the reduction in load carrying capacity be affixed to vehicles when the total net weight of accessories is more than 1.5 percent of the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr) or 100 lbs.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-04-21 · DEALER LETTER · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a dealer letter sent to dealers informing that mitsubishi technical training has launched the 2nd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.
Showing the 6 most recent of 107 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-10-24 · Wheels“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 …”
2023-08-02 · Exterior Lighting · 110,000 mi“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 w…”
2023-05-15 · Vehicle Speed Control“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 restar…”
2022-11-23 · Structure:frame And Members · 116,000 mi“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 cont…”
2022-08-03 · Service Brakes“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…”
2022-01-19 · Electrical System · 70,000 mi“the contact owns a 2009 mitsubishi lancer. the contact stated that after the vehicle had sat for over five days undriven, the vehicle had to be jump started. the contact mentioned that the failure recurred several times. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repair…”
2021-03-04 · Air Bags · 70,000 mi“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?…”
2020-12-08 · Service Brakes · 110,000 mi · 💥 crash“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 t…”
2020-11-04 · Vehicle Speed Control“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…”
2020-09-30 · Suspension“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...…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.