Model year
2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
NHTSA lists 8 recalls and 98 complaints for the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 11 recalls and 25 complaints under LANCER EVOLUTION, LANCER RALIART, LANCER RALLIART, LANCER SPORTBACK, and LANCER SPORTBACK RALLIART. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE (22), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (19), EXTERIOR LIGHTING (12). NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 18–25 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,700–$4,550, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2002 148 complaints
- 2003 199 complaints
- 2004 80 complaints
- 2005 24 complaints
- 2006 37 complaints
- 2007 2 complaints
- 2008 91 complaints
- 2009 98 complaints
- 2010 51 complaints
- 2011 34 complaints
- 2012 19 complaints
- 2013 5 complaints
- 2014 16 complaints
- 2015 23 complaints
- 2016 30 complaints
- 2017 6 complaints
Recalls
20V279000 · May 18, 2020
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS; SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
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,…
18V071000 · Jan 26, 2018
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
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…
18V069000 · Jan 26, 2018
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
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…
15V233000 · Apr 20, 2015
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR
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…
15V232000 · Apr 20, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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…
14V562000 · Sep 12, 2014
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
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,…
09V435000 · Nov 5, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
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,…
09V077000 · Mar 10, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:CHECK VALVE
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…
Complaints
98 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 11, fire flag on 3, injury field 10, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| LANCER EVOLUTION | 5 | 2 |
| LANCER RALIART | 0 | 1 |
| LANCER RALLIART | 2 | 22 |
| LANCER SPORTBACK | 2 | 0 |
| LANCER SPORTBACK RALLIART | 2 | 0 |
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancer · 2.4L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 27 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| Lancer · 2.4L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 28 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| Lancer · 2L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 | 28 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
| Lancer · 2L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 | 30 | 25 | — | — | $2,700 |
| Lancer · 2L · Automatic (S6) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| Lancer Evolution · 2L · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 16 | 22 | 18 | — | — | $4,550 |
| Lancer Evolution · 2L · Automatic (S6) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 22 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
| Lancer Sportback · 2L · Automatic (S6) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| Lancer Sportback · 2.4L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 27 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| Lancer Sportback · 2.4L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 27 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.