10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
51,630 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #19

Jul 242023

Lancer

  • 110,000 miles
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.

- Raton, NM, USA

problem #18

Aug 032022

Lancer

  • miles
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

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #17

Aug 152015

Lancer

  • 70,000 miles
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 repaired however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic where the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the Bluetooth connection module was draining the battery and that the module needed to be removed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

- Baldwin, NY, USA

problem #16

Sep 242020

Lancer

  • 135,093 miles
The brake lights were no longer functioning, but the tail lights were still operating. The car failed inspection due to brake lights not functioning and the vehicle was taken to the dealership for diagnostics. The ECU, part number 8637C096 is what is in my vehicle. There is a safety recall for a 2009 Lancer, sr-15-002, for the ECU but because of the part number (8637A826) difference the dealership will not replace my ECU that is faulty. Upon further personal investigation I have found several issues surrounding the ECU for Lancers;10091781, 10158957, 10142736, 10117850, 10158956, 10158955, 10142736, 10158957. Several individuals have reported electrical problems and that the company would not fix the issue. (https://www.carcomplaints.com/Mitsubishi/Lancer/2009/electrical/electrical_system.shtml) part numbers are "not typically given out" I was told at the dealership on September 24th, 2020. The replacement part number I was given would be 8637C496. However, this part must be programmed by a liscened dealer....this monopoly of parts, refusal to give out part identification numbers, and extreme cost (of the part ~$870) has caused people to be unable to afford the repair while the manufacture is essentially not covering the cost of the safety concern and puts the cost of repair on the consumer.. or the vehicle cannot pass inspection and therefor cannot continue to be in service. I will not own another Mitsubishi because of this. My husband purchased this car brand new. I am the second owner and all safety recalls, service, and even tire rotations have been maintained on this car. After the diagnostic test was completed, and I left the dealership to return home the brake lights stayed on after my car was parked and the key removed from the ignition. At this time my 2009 Lancer is sitting at the dealership, and I was asked if I would like to order the part to replace.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #15

Nov 212018

Lancer

  • 90,000 miles
The ECU is bad and the headlights will turn off while driving there is many complaints on the internet about this but they refuse to acknowledge its an issue and want near 1000 $ to fix the issue. We have had the light turn off while driving several time causing my wife to panic and causing alarm that could have resulted in an accident

- Farr West, UT, USA

problem #14

Jul 222018

Lancer

  • miles
The blower motor was recalled, but according to Mitsubishi motors, my car was not part of the recall. I had to replace the blower motor yesterday and have the defective part that shows it was recalled in Mitsubishi's safety recall bulletin sr−15−003 dated June 2015. I contacted mitusubishi directly, and the representative I spoke with told me that my vehicle was not part of this recall. This is frustrating, as I have the defective blower motor which is clearly marked with the recalled number. I believe Mitsubishi missed some cars in their recall. My car was manufactured in June 2008, which makes it an early 2009 model. I would like reimbursement for the new replacement blower motor I had to purchase. I have receipts and the faulty motor.

- Elgin, TX, USA

problem #13

Jun 092017

Lancer

  • 106,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer. While driving 70 mph, the vehicle's brake and rear lights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and found NHTSA campaign number: 15V232000 (electrical system). The manufacturer confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V232000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 106,000.

- North Augusta, SC, USA

problem #12

Jul 152016

Lancer

  • miles
The contact owns a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer. While driving approximately 45 mph, the headlights failed intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ECU needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V232000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Coplay, PA, USA

problem #11

May 012015

Lancer

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the blower failed and the front wind shield could not be defrosted. The contact also indicated that while idling, the engine rpms would fluctuate and the engine would appear to be stalling. In addition, the vehicle would not accelerate properly from a standing start. The cause of the failures were not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.

- Loma Linde, CA, USA

problem #10

Aug 112015

Lancer

  • miles
I took my vehicle into cutrubus Mitsubishi dealer in layton, ut to have my car maintenanced for recalled parts on 11 August 2015, which was the earliest appointment they had available after recall notification. Took vehicle in at 08:00 and the service department stated that the car could not be determined if it was one of the defected vehicles until 12:00 that day. When asked if I could get a loan vehicle in order to go back to work, cutrubus dealer denied. They also stated if my car had the defective parts it could take 48 hours to fix my vehicle and still denied a loaner vehicle. I could not leave my car to have the safety recall fixed due to being active duty in the air force and being a single parent, I can not go without a vehicle. The manager was notified and I spoke with Mitsubishi manufacturer and they stated they are not responsible for supplying a loaner vehicle but it would be up to the dealership if they wanted to or not. I have concerns since this is a safety recall.

- Hill Afb , UT, USA

problem #9

Sep 112014

Lancer

  • miles
The contact owns a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V532000 (engine) and 15V232000 (electrical system); however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The VIN was unavailable. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Humacao, PR, USA

problem #8

Sep 302014

Lancer 4-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
Shortly after starting the engine; take a turn left and then made; I turn on the ABS light shortly after engine light lit too and, days later, the ABS light went out. The next day I started the engine; running the car at 15 to 35 miles, sounds a hit; in the transmission and ABS light comes on again. This has been doing so far.

- Orange Park, FL, USA

problem #7

Jan 052011

Lancer 4-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
As im driving down the highway 95 or I4, my car in the odemeter area prompts the car to slow down on the car slows down on the highway until it stops. This is very dangerous as it slows down traffic when diving on the highway. This car then have to cool down for 20 mintues. This car can not drive in traffic for no more than two hours then it slows down and stop.

- South Daytona , FL, USA

problem #6

Aug 132013

Lancer 4-cyl

  • 79,885 miles
I was driving northbound on the ca is-15 North at approximately 5:55 pm pst between the exits of 138/wrightwood and the route 395/joshua street exit. I was traveling in the fast lane going about 68-72 mph. I got a "service required" error light flashing, then the "slow down" light came on with a picture of a thermometer. I checked the temperature gauge (which is displayed on the led screen by the speedometer, not the usual independent gauge) and the temperature showed that it was right in the middle, which should be working great. I slowed down to 50 mph as I merged from the #1 (fast) lane to the slow lane by the road shoulder and my engine lost power. Luckily I had enough power to get over to the should before the usual line of semi-trucks blew past me. I checked the coolant, oil, and ctv trans fluid levels, all were at capacity. This is the second time that I had experienced this issue. The first time was this same time last year (August, 2012). I had bought the car used in July 2012. The first time this occurred the dealership (victorville Mitsubishi) fixed it under tsb 10-23-005. At that point the car only had 46,000 miles on it. I plan to take the car back into the dealer this Saturday, provided I can make it back up the hill today and tomorrow. This is a really serious problem and I hope it becomes an official recall. Luckily I wasn't run off the road or rear ended and killed with the loss of power issue due to the faulty sensor.

- Victorville, CA, USA

problem #5

Jan 112013

Lancer

  • 45,000 miles
I have an 09 Mitsubishi Lancer ES sport with the sun and sound package. The amplifier, which is under my drivers side seat, for the sound system started smoking and sparking. I took it to the dealership, who replaced it, and a week ago, while I was driving, it started smoking and sparking again, but stops when you power off the radio, if the power is on in the radio, it continues to smoke and spark. I believe there may be a wiring defect in my car that is causing this to happen and fear that if it continues my car may eventually catch on fire. Dealer will not look at it again unless I pay $120 initial fee.

- Potomac, MD, USA

problem #4

Oct 022011

Lancer

  • 55,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that the electronic key system failed and the key could not be inserted into the ignition switch. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times for the failure and the dealer reprogrammed the key computer system, but the failure was not corrected. The failure mileage was 55,000 and the current mileage was 56,000.

- San Bernardino , CA, USA

problem #3

Dec 272010

Lancer 4-cyl

  • 58,000 miles
I have an 09 Mitsubishi Lancer ES sport with the sun and sound package. The amplifier, which is under my drivers side seat, for the soundsystem started smoking and sparking. I took it to the dealership, who replaced it a month ago, and a week ago, while I was driving, it started smoking and sparking again, but stops when you power off the radio, if the power is on in the radio, it continues to smoke and spark. I believe there may be a wiring defect in my car that is causing this to happen and fear that if it continues my car may eventually catch on fire.

- Evans City, PA, USA

problem #2

Apr 142010

Lancer

  • 44,000 miles
I was driving down the road and heard a pop noise. Smoke came rolling out from underneath my front drivers side seat. I stopped and looked, but found no fire. Now the speakers do not work and the box underneath my seat smells like smoke. There was no fire, but definitely could have been.

- Evans City, PA, USA

problem #1

Apr 012009

Lancer

  • 13,000 miles
I've had my 09 Lancer since July of 2008. I haven't had any problems up until recently. For about the past month now, on four occasions, usually in the morning, when I go to start my car it just wont start. It makes the same sound as if my car was to start, but just doesn't. so I have to wait and keep trying to get it to start. I brought it to the dealership where I purchased it (girard Mitsubishi) on 4/1/09 and the mechanic had said he ran it through the computer and couldn't find anything wrong with it.

- Wauregan, CT, USA