MYRModel Year Report

2002 Mitsubishi Lancer

◆ Worse than typical
2002 Mitsubishi Lancer
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:33:51.834Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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

Complaints per year, Mitsubishi Lancer Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 1996: 1 complaints 1996 2000: 1 complaints 2002: 148 complaints 2002 2003: 199 complaints 2003 2004: 80 complaints 2005: 24 complaints 2006: 37 complaints 2006 2007: 2 complaints 2008: 91 complaints 2009: 98 complaints 2009 2010: 51 complaints 2011: 34 complaints 2012: 19 complaints 2012 2013: 5 complaints 2014: 16 complaints 2015: 23 complaints 2015 2016: 29 complaints 2017: 6 complaints 2017
2002: 148 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19961
20001
2002148
2003199
200480
200524
200637
20072
200891
200998
201051
201134
201219
20135
201416
201523
201629
20176

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 8%

8% of complaints: air bags — 12 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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

WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH DURING A HEAD ON COLLISION,NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.*AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20020628

AIR BAGS 8%

8% of complaints: air bags — 12 distinct reports on file.

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

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20021002

VISIBILITY 7%

7% of complaints: visibility — 10 distinct reports on file.

VISIBILITY 6%

6% of complaints: visibility — 9 distinct reports on file.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5%

5% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 8 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

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

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 Mitsubishi Lancer — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (12 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (12 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for visibility issues (10 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V428000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E038000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V458000 (suspension) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2011 ▲ 2006 ▲ 2010

WORST YEARS

■ 2003 ● 2009 ● 2008

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer?

The most-reported component is air bags:frontal, accounting for 8% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.