2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
This year's complaint volume is within 30% 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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
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 | 29 |
| 2017 | 6 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
22% of complaints: engine — 22 distinct reports on file.
19% of complaints: electrical system — 19 distinct reports on file.
FIRE12% of complaints: power train — 12 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE12% of complaints: exterior lighting — 12 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY9% of complaints: service brakes — 9 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
I WAS ON THE 4TH FLOOR OF A PARKING GARAGE IN MY TOWN AND WAS GOING UP TO THE TOP LEVEL. AS I AM ABOUT TO TURN THE CORNER, I REALIZE I AM GOING A BIT FASTER THAN I THOUGHT.
NHTSA ODI report, 20191221
SAFETY TIMELINE
MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING 39,711 MY 2008-2009 OUTLANDER AND LACER VEHICLES. INCORRECT MATERIAL COMPOSITION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER CHECK VALVE MAY CAUSE THE CHECK VALVE TO STICK CLOSED WHEN THE ENGINE IS
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE BOOSTER CHECK VALVE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.
Campaign 09V077000 — check if this car was fixed
MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 LANCER AND LANCER EVOLUTION VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY,
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FRONT AIRBAG SENSORS THAT HAVE IMPROVED CORROSION RESISTANCE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTAC
Campaign 09V435000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 14V562000 — check if this car was fixed
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 15V233000 — check if this car was fixed
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 15V232000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 18V071000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 18V069000 — check if this car was fixed
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 20V279000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2009 Mitsubishi Lancer — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine issues (22 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (19 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (12 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 09V077000 (service brakes, air) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09V435000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V562000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V233000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V232000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V071000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V069000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V279000 (structure, suspension) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer have?
8 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.