2002 Mitsubishi Lancer

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2002 Mitsubishi Lancer
RENDERED 2026-09-17T01:53:26.914Z

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2002: 148 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1996	1
2000	1
2002	148
2003	199
2004	80
2005	24
2006	37
2007	2
2008	91
2009	98
2010	51
2011	34
2012	19
2013	5
2014	16
2015	23
2016	30
2017	6

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

VISIBILITY 18%

18% of complaints: visibility — 26 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing defroster/defogger/hvac system and electrical heating element.

AIR BAGS 17%

17% of complaints: air bags — 25 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASH INJURY DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20121008

Also filed under SERVICE BRAKES

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20021022

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20021002

POWER TRAIN 15%

15% of complaints: power train — 22 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing manual transmission and clutch assembly.

CRASH DEATH

SERVICE BRAKES 14%

14% of complaints: service brakes — 21 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 13%

13% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing exhaust system and engine.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

THIS NOISE HASN'T GONE AWAY NO MATTER WHICH BRAND OF OIL FILTER OR WEIGHT/BRAND OF OIL I USE. THE DEALER SAYS IT'S A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THIS ENGINE. I TEST DROVE AN IDENTICAL VEHICLE AND IT PURRED LIKE A KITTEN.

NHTSA ODI report, 20020122

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2002 — complaint volume: 148

R 20060510 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN ALFAOTTO COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFOR

Remedy: ALFAOTTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ALFAOTTO AT 626-656-2992 OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.ALFAOTTO.COM.

Campaign 06E038000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160914 — suspension

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members.

Campaign 16V458000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — equipment

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO.

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.

Campaign 04V428000 — check if this car was fixed