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2002 Mitsubishi Lancer Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 148 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer, most often about the visibility and wipers (18% of complaints, typically around 90,500 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Lancer model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer problems
Visibility and wipers
26 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 90,500 miles. Parts named most often: defroster/defogger/hvac system, sun/moon roof assembly.
The HVAC control unit in my 02 Mitsubishi Lancer has a mechanical flaw starting with the heat /AC knobs. The vacuum line behind the knob is too weak to activate the heater core lever and defrost controls making it very difficult to see when driving. The system as a whole needs to be replaced by Mitsubishi as I have…
The temperature control knob on the climate control module broke. The likely cause was binding of the cable that is controlled by the knob. This could be due to poor routing of the cable or the mechanism that the cable is attached. The cost of repairing this design defect ranges from $500-1000 at the dealer.
Air bags
23 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 49,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
I was traveling at 30-34 MPH and a intrepid pulled out in front of me and I slammed head on to her driver's side front tire. My seat belts didn't lock resulting in me hitting my chest on the steering wheel and my son in the back seat to hit his head on the back of the passenger front seat. My airbags didn't deploy…
While driving 33 MPH consumer's vehicle was involved in a head on collision. Upon impact, dual air bags did not deploy. Passenger sustained a broken collar bone.
Engine
22 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 94,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine, cooling system.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that the vehicle idled above the normal idle rate. The rpms increased, similar to as if the accelerator pedal was being depressed. The contact stated that the idling was a recurring failure that usually took place at lower speeds. When the vehicle was…
My service engine soon light turned on and I went to auto zone and got a code : p0421 OEM brand: domestic definition: catalyst efficiency low bank 1 explanation: the oxygen sensors monitor the catalytic converters ability to store oxygen. Probable causes: 1- catalytic converter defective (failure possibly due to #2…
Transmission
22 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, clutch assembly, manual transmission, axle assembly.
1- gears began to grind, then became impossible to engage gears at all 2- clutch slave cylinder went bad under normal driving conditions 3- slave cylinder went bad causing clutch to go bad- $1200 repair with only 55k miles (((not covered under warranty))).
I drive a 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer oz rally and out of nowhere I lost all resistance in the clutch and was stranded with a blown slave cylinder. I did some research and it seems that this is a very common problem and I believe it should be recalled.
Brakes
18 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 34,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
The front brake pads were replaced at 15000 and had to be replaced again at 32000 miles. The dealer indicated that this was normal wear.
Dt: 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer. Brakes failed twice. The consumer took the vehicle to the Mitsubishi service dealer twice. The dealer indicated that they could not find the cause of the problem. The consumer took the vehicle to an independent mechanic four times, but they could not fix the problem. It was finally…
Suspension
15 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 30,000 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
Having a problem with rear suspension. The entire back end sounds as if the frame is broken. Was assured by mitsu service that it is not a safety issue. I was told it needed bearings and bushings and parts are on back order. This is a 2002 Lancer oz with 30000 miles this should not be happening to a car of this age. I…
I am having problems with the rear suspension of my 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer. Service tells me that they have received a bulletin from Mitsubishi regarding an issue with the control arm bushings. Apparently both are bad on my automobile. The recommended fix to this problem according to the service bulletin is a special…
Steering
12 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: column, linkages, steering wheel/handle bar.
Was driving down the interstate and the steering wheel fell off. After several attempts was able to put it back on but had to press hard to keep it in place my mechanic was able to reattach it but had to disable the air bag and now cost $700 for a new steering column air bag and horn. I see other complaints and would…
Recall info: "the inside and outside surfaces of the front cross members used on certain vehicles if exposed long term to snow melt water and anti-freezing agents may corrode due to insufficient performance of the rust protection. Should corrosion occur, a lower control arm could become detached resulting in loss of…
Speed control
10 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 69,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control.
Vehicle accelerates on it's own. I have informed mitshubishi of the problem however according to mitshubishi they could not reproduce the problem by computer so as far as they were concerned there was no problem. I recently had an accident in the car and of course mitshubishi is trying to wiggle out of it. I guess I…
Tl contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that the vehicle idled above the normal idle rate. The rpms increased, similar to as if the accelerator pedal was being depressed. The contact stated that the idling was a recurring failure that usually took place at lower speeds. When the vehicle was…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Mitsubishi Lancer recalls
Suspension: lower arm
Risk: A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 that has a sealing/anti-corrosion agent applied to it. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began january 2017. Owners may contact mmna customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mmna's number for this recall is sr-16-003.
Full defect summary
Mitsubishi motors north america, inc. (mmna) is recalling certain model year 2002-2007 lancer, 2004 lancer wagon, 2003-2006 lancer evolution, 2003-2006 outlander and 2007-2013 outlander v-6 vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia, wisconsin and the district of columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
Equipment: labels
Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
Fix: Mitsubishi caribbean will mail a customer notification letter containing a written description and a graphic of the bi-lingual dashboard air bag warning label. In addition, all current 2000-2004 nativa owners will also receive replacement air bag alert labels for the sun visors. This recall is expected to begin during march or april 2005. The notification to the nativa owners is expected to begin during april or may 2005. Owners should contact mitsubishi caribbean at 1-787-251-8715.
Full defect summary
Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, 'occupant crash protection.' the bilingual english/spanish removable air bag warning labels affixed to the dash and to the sunvisor do not meet the size requirements of the standard.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: visibility and wipers (26 complaints, typically around 90,500 miles); air bags (23 complaints, typically around 49,000 miles); engine (22 complaints, typically around 94,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 23, 2016 (suspension). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Mitsubishi Lancer?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Lancer model year since 2000, with 148 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.