MYRModel Year Report

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer

◆ Worse than typical
2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:54:45.955Z

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
98
Recalls
8

Campaigns on file for 2009

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Engine

22% of complaints

Complaints per year

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

2009: 98 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19961
20001
2002148
2003199
200480
200524
200637
20072
200891
200998
201051
201134
201219
20135
201416
201523
201630
20176

Known problem areas

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

Engine

22% · 22 reports

Electrical system

19% · 19 reports
FIRE

Service brakes

17% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show 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, 2019-12-21

Also filed under Air bags

Power train

14% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing manual transmission.

CRASHFIRE

Exterior lighting

13% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing headlights.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

8 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2009Complaint volume 98 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2009-05-04Service brakes, air09V077000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2009-11-27Air bags09V435000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2014-10-15Engine and engine cooling14V562000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2015-06-15Visibility15V233000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2015-06-15Electrical system15V232000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2018-02-27Visibility18V071000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2018-03-27Engine and engine cooling18V069000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2020-08-07Structure, suspension20V279000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine: 22 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 19 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 17 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 09V077000 · Service brakes, air
  • Recall 09V435000 · Air bags
  • Recall 14V562000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 15V233000 · Visibility
  • Recall 15V232000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 18V071000 · Visibility
  • Recall 18V069000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 20V279000 · Structure, suspension
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 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 "worse than 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 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.