Known Recalls

Model year record

2002 Mitsubishi Lancer

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 194 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V458000

Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm
Manufacturer
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
194,674
Reported to NHTSA
2016-06-23
Owners notified
2016-09-14

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V428000

Equipment: other: labels

Component
Equipment: other: labels
Manufacturer
MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN
Vehicles affected
100,432
Reported to NHTSA
2004-09-01

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags1280,000 mi
Air bags: frontal1249,090 mi
Visibility1091,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system9100,500 mi
Suspension838,000 mi
Unknown or other8100,000 mi
Vehicle speed control845,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system697,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission6119,036 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip618,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly549,995 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic512,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads532,000 mi
Steering5120,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element582,000 mi
Electrical system4110,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling47,599 mi
Steering: column480,800 mi
Suspension: rear420,000 mi
Engine3150,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan338,003 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine39,280 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner338,003 mi
Fuel/propulsion system3110,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission320,000 mi
Structure330,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline2130,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)243,000 mi
Seat belts249,176 mi
Seats2211,186 mi
Service brakes2180,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor242,000 mi
Steering: linkages2—
Structure: body283,000 mi
Structure: frame and members2228,566 mi
Wheels2150,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module130,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1133,847 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe198,000 mi
Equipment136,000 mi
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1—
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer140,938 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery117 mi
Latches/locks/linkages191,000 mi
Power train1—
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift11,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift118,700 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft168,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper142,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Suspension: front: control arm1—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1—
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs1500 mi
Tires17,142 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1—
Visibility/wiper189,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor140,938 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1221,660 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1—

The 2003 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.