Dodge LANCER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
15 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
170,401 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1985 to 2002 model years. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 15 complaints (13.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 13.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 6.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 6.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 6.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Tires:Tread/Belt: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 14 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 5 |
| 1996 | 4 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
1995: 5; 1996: 4; 2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2003: 2; 2006: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10163344 · 2006-07-24 (July 24, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT A USED VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY PURCHASED AND HAS HAD MANY IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS. THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE STALLING AND THE FRONT LEFT ALIGNMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER WHERE THE FOLLOWING SERVICES WERE PERFORMED; TUNE UP, OIL CHANGE AND A NEW BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE FRONT ALIGNMENT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE HAS PERSISTED SINCE THE VEHICLE PURCHASE DATE OF JULY 15TH OF 2006.*AK UPDATED 10/6/2006 - AT TIMES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WONT STAY UP. T…
Owner-reported narrative. 170,401 miles reported. Look up ODI 10163344 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10165872 · 2006-08-16 (August 16, 2006)
1986 DODGE LANCER ALTERNATOR, TIRE, AND BATTERY PROBLEMS. *CB THE CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE'S FUEL PUMP. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10165872 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 979234 · 1996-02-14 (February 14, 1996)
RUSTED K-MEMBER WHICH MOUNTS LOWER CONTROL ARM AND STEERING RACK AND PINION. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 979234 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1986 | 2 |
| 1987 | 2 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 |
1986: 2; 1987: 2; 1989: 1; 1995: 0; 2001: 0; 2002: 0