2009 Mitsubishi LANCER: complaints, problems and recalls

I BOUGHT A 2009 MITSUBISHI LANCER IN MAY OF '08. I TRADED IN MY '04 LANCER AT THAT TIME WITH 145,000KMS. ALL ORIGINAL PARTS EXCEPT FOR BRAKES. I MOVED TO BC IN AUG '08 FROM ALBERTA WHERE I HAD BOUGHT MY CAR. *TR I WAS COMING HOME FROM CHRISTMAS IN AB ON JAN.2/09 WHEN THE HINGE ON MY DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW BROKE, AND MY CLUTCH STARTED TO SLIP. I DROVE MY MY CAR AN HOUR AND A HALF TO THE NEAREST MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY. THE MECHANIC THAT DAY TOLD ME THAT THE REAR SEAL HAD A LEAK, THAT OIL HAD BEEN SPRAYING LIKELY THROUGH THE CLUTCH…

Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10254330 at NHTSA ↗

I WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE, I WAS ON THE LEFT HAND LANE WHEN I LOOKED THROUGH THE REARVIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED A VEHICLE BEHIND DOING ABOUT 80-90 MILES PER HOUR. I MERGED TO THE MIDDLE LANE SO THAT THEY COULD CONTINUE ON. THEY WERE RECKLESSLY DRIVING AND THEY SWERVED TO MY LANE, I PROCEEDED TO SWERVE TO AVOID GETTING HIT AND WHEN I TRIED TO HIT THE BRAKES THEY JAMMED ON ME. I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND HIT THE RIGHT DIVIDER WITH THE FRONT OF MY CAR, THE CAR PROCEEDED TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL AND EVERY ANGLE OF THE CAR WAS …

Owner-reported narrative. 14,106 miles reported. Look up ODI 10263666 at NHTSA ↗

I'VE HAD MY 09 LANCER SINCE JULY OF 2008. I HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS UP UNTIL RECENTLY. FOR ABOUT THE PAST MONTH NOW, ON FOUR OCCASIONS, USUALLY IN THE MORNING, WHEN I GO TO START MY CAR IT JUST WONT START. IT MAKES THE SAME SOUND AS IF MY CAR WAS TO START, BUT JUST DOESN'T. SO I HAVE TO WAIT AND KEEP TRYING TO GET IT TO START. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT (GIRARD MITSUBISHI) ON 4/1/09 AND THE MECHANIC HAD SAID HE RAN IT THROUGH THE COMPUTER AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10263893 at NHTSA ↗

2009 LANCER, CLUTCH WENT OUT AT UNDER 20,000 MILES. I HAVE BEEN READING OF MANY CLUTCH PROBLEMS IN PAST MODELS, IS THERE A TREND HERE. I HAVE OWED 15 CARS, HALF HAVE BEEN MANUAL TRANSMISSION. I HAVE ONLY HAD TO REPLACE 2 CLUTCHES: MITSUBISHI 3000 GT AT 40,000 AND THE LANCER AT 18,000. I HAVE A 10 YEAR OLD JEEP WRANGLER MANUAL THAT MY KIDS LEARNED TO DRIVE ON WITH ABOUT 70,000 MILES WITH IT'S ORIGINAL CLUTCH. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10277407 at NHTSA ↗

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 DAMAGE ON JUST MY CAR. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10280237 at NHTSA ↗

MITSUBISHI LANCER ES SPORT 2009. I HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM, I RECEIVE A LETTER OF A SERVICE RECALL AND I WENT TO MAKE THE REPARATIONS. THE CAR HAS PRESENT SEVERAL BRAKE PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT CALIPERS, DISKS AND PADS. APPARENTLY THE CAR HAS A DEFECT BECAUSE THE LEFT FRONT CALIPER MAKES THE PAD HAVE A FASTER WASTAGE THAN USUAL AND REDUCES THE BRAKE EFFICIENCY. I THINK THAT THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT PROBLEM BECAUSE MY LIFE IS IN RISK AND OTHER PERSONS LIFE BECAUSE I CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.. THE CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY 4 TIMES BUT…

Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10281613 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSIBUSHI LANCER GTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT 60 MPH HE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BREAK PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. AS A CONSEQUENCE THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER, AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED, AND HE SUSTAINED INJURIES. SHE HAS A COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 16,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10285038 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE VEHICLE 'S BRAKE ROTOR DISENGAGED AND TRAVELED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS AN EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE, FOLLOWED BY THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT BELT DISENGAGEMENT. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHCILE RESUMED OPERATION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 9,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10295882 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2009-03-10 (March 10, 2009)

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.

Consequence: THIS MAY TEMPORARILY INCREASE THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE AND THEREFORE INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

Reported: 2009-11-05 (November 5, 2009)

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.

Consequence: 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.

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 CONTACT MITSUBISHI CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT AT 1-888-648-7820.

Reported: 2014-09-12 (September 12, 2014)

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.

Consequence: If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-009.

Reported: 2015-04-20 (April 20, 2015)

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.

Consequence: 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.

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.

Reported: 2015-04-20 (April 20, 2015)

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.

Consequence: 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.

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.

Reported: 2018-01-26 (January 26, 2018)

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.

Consequence: If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-001.

Reported: 2018-01-26 (January 26, 2018)

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.

Consequence: If the sunroof glass detaches from the assembly while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Reported: 2020-05-18 (May 18, 2020)

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.

Consequence: A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. 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.