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2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 98 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer, most often about the engine (28% of complaints, typically around 70,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Lancer model year since 2000 and has 8 recalls.
Most common 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer problems
Engine
27 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles.
Bought 2009 Lancer for daughter for school only had 70,000 miles on engine one owner car, paid 10,000 dollars 3 months later engine blew please do not buy car engine are bad.
I was driving northbound on the ca is-15 north at approximately 5:55 pm pst between the exits of 138/wrightwood and the route 395/joshua street exit. I was traveling in the fast lane going about 68-72 MPH. I got a "service required" error light flashing, then the "slow down" light came on with a picture of a…
Electrical
19 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 62,500 miles.
As im driving down the highway 95 or i4, my car in the odemeter area prompts the car to slow down on the car slows down on the highway until it stops. This is very dangerous as it slows down traffic when diving on the highway. This car then have to cool down for 20 mintues . This car can not drive in traffic for no…
Shortly after starting the engine; take a turn left and then made; I turn on the ABS light shortly after engine light lit too and, days later, the ABS light went out. The next day I started the engine; running the car at 15 to 35 miles, sounds a hit; in the transmission and ABS light comes on again. This has been…
Brakes
16 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
The contact owns a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that the ABS warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000. Updated 3/31/15
Abs brake modulator was a known faulty design per Mitsubishi. An updated unit with new model number alledgedly fixes the common problem. This problem is not under recall. My car has only 55,000 miles and these pumps should last the life of the car normally. The cost to replace is $1800 which is much higher than most…
Transmission
14 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: manual transmission.
Shortly after starting the engine; take a turn left and then made; I turn on the ABS light shortly after engine light lit too and, days later, the ABS light went out. The next day I started the engine; running the car at 15 to 35 miles, sounds a hit; in the transmission and ABS light comes on again. This has been…
The contact owns a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH with the accelerator pedal engaged, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The failure recurred three times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician was unable to locate the failure. The manufacturer…
Lights
13 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 106,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.
The contact owns a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle's brake and rear lights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and found NHTSA campaign number: 15v232000 (electrical system). The manufacturer confirmed that the VIN was not included in…
The contact owns a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated while driving at night, the low-beam headlights turned off and turned on independently, causing a visibility hazard for the driver. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The…
Air bags
8 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 42,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
I have a 09 Lancer I had the brake recall done a month later I was driving to work just got off the expressway was on a side street doing 30 miles per hour the speed limit the brakes failed causing me to rearend another car I am injured and in therapy also none of the air bags went off there is over $6000 dollars in…
The air bag light comes on and off when driving the car or parked and running. I see there was a recall on the airbag module thru 2007 Lancer. Mine has 71k miles. Is there a recall in the works for 2009 models?
Suspension
6 complaints · 6%The contact owns a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that while making a right turn, the front driver side wheel detached from the vehicle. The police and the contact's insurance company was contacted and confirmed that the vehicle was not involved in a crash. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the…
The contact owns a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that the front subframe experienced severe corrosion. The vehicle was taken to biggers Mitsubishi (1325 e chicago st, elgin, il 60120) where it was confirmed that the vehicle corrosion was severe. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer…
Body and structure
6 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The contact owns a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that the front subframe experienced severe corrosion. The vehicle was taken to biggers Mitsubishi (1325 e chicago st, elgin, il 60120) where it was confirmed that the vehicle corrosion was severe. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer…
Subframe has rusted and corroded to the point that the dealer has suggested I tow the vehicle home, stating I am a pothole away from a major safety issue and it structurally falling apart. This is a issue that is under recall for up to 07 lancers that needs to be extended to include mine and others since it is a issue…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2009 Mitsubishi Lancer recalls
Body and structure: frame and members
Risk: A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, 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. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began august 7, 2020. Owners may contact mmna customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mmna's number for this recall is sr-20-003.
Full defect summary
Mitsubishi motors north america, inc. (mmna) is recalling certain 2008-2010 lancer, 2009-2010 lancer sportback, 2008-2013 outlander, and 2011-2016 outlander sport vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, connecticut, delaware, the district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia, and wisconsin. The front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
Engine: belts and associated pulleys
Risk: If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Mmna's number for this recall is sr-18-001.
Full defect summary
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. The drive belt automatic tensioner flange may crack, allowing the accessory drive belt to detach.
Visibility and wipers: sun/moon roof assembly
Risk: If the sunroof glass detaches from the assembly while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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. The sunroof glass may detach from the sunroof assembly, becoming a road hazard to other vehicles.
Electrical: electrical system
Risk: Unstable voltage could result in intermittent failure of the vehicle's head lights, tail lights, and windshield wipers. If the headlights and/or windshield wipers fail, the driver could have reduced visibility. If the tail lights fail, the vehicle could be less visible. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
Mitsubishi motors north america, inc. (mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 mitsubishi lancer vehicles manufactured january 12, 2009, to july 6, 2010, 2009-2010 outlander vehicles manufactured january 12, 2009, to august 27, 2010, 2010 lancer sportback vehicles manufactured june 17, 2009, to june 8, 2010, and 2010 lancer evolution vehicles manufactured july 14, 2009, to august 4, 2010. The affected vehicles have an electronic control unit (ecu) that controls the head lights, tail lights, and windshield wipers. Due to a manufacturing error, the voltage inside this ecu may be unstable.
Visibility and wipers: fan/motor
Risk: Failure of the blower motor may reduce the performance of the windshield defroster, diminishing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
Mitsubishi motors north america, inc. (mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 lancer vehicles manufactured march 16, 2009, to march 30, 2011, 2010-2011 lancer sportback vehicles manufactured june 17, 2009, to december 1, 2010, 2010-2011 lancer evolution vehicles manufactured july 14, 2009, to january 7, 2011, 2009-2011 outlander vehicles manufactured february 10, 2009, to june 22, 2011, and 2011 outlander sport vehicles manufactured august 26, 2010, to november 19, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the blower motor may fail.
Engine: belts and associated pulleys
Risk: If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is sr-14-009.
Full defect summary
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. The affected vehicles, manufactured with 4b1 engines, have an engine pulley and belt arrangement for turning the alternator, the cooling fan and the power steering pump (if equipped). These pulleys may experience unusual wear and allow for belt detachment.
Air bags: sensor/control module-inactive
Risk: This coating over time may cause corrosion of the sensor. In the event of a vehicle crash of the type that would deploy the airbags this type of short-circuit may cause a delay in the deployment of the airbags which could result in driver or passenger injury.
Fix: 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 contact mitsubishi customer relations department at 1-888-648-7820.
Full defect summary
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, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia, wisconsin and district of columbia. In areas where heavy road salt is used in the winter, a long term exposure to a mixture of melted snow with salt thrown up by the other vehicles on the road may cause a water-salt mixture to adhere to the front impact sensors.
Brakes: check valve
Risk: This may temporarily increase the stopping distance of the vehicle and therefore increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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 shut off. When the vehicle is re-started and put into motion, under certain driving conditions (very slow vehicle maneuvers), there may be insufficient initial braking assist.
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 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (27 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles); electrical (19 complaints, typically around 62,500 miles); brakes (16 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer have?
- 8 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 18, 2020 (body and structure). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2009 a bad year for the Mitsubishi Lancer?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Lancer model year since 2000, with 98 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.