Worst 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Engine Problems
Electrical Faults
Headlight/Taillight Failures
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 22 | — | — | 76,868 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 19 | — | 1 | 70,070 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 12 | 1 | — | 105,745 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 12 | 1 | 1 | 81,073 mi | |
| Brakes | 9 | 2 | — | 84,013 mi | |
| Airbags | 8 | 6 | — | 55,866 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 7 | 5 | 2 | 24,729 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 6 | — | — | 71,600 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 5 | 2 | — | 68,821 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 5 | — | — | 74,641 mi | |
| Body Structure | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Fan/Motor | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Valve | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~635,171 vehicles.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Other Mitsubishi Lancer Years
2009 Mitsubishi Lancer — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?
What are common problems with the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer?
How safe is the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Does the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Mitsubishi Lancer reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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