VehicleVerdict

2002 Mitsubishi Lancer problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 194 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.2 times the median Lancer year — the 2002 model ranks #2 of 18 Lancer years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 30 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across visibility & wipers (27), airbags (25), and transmission (22), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

194

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

47

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

30

Injuries

3

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Lancer years?

Lancer NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted242 complaints1996: 1 complaints2000: 1 complaints2002: 194 complaints2003: 242 complaints2004: 96 complaints2005: 27 complaints2006: 52 complaints2007: 3 complaints2008: 126 complaints2009: 139 complaints2010: 66 complaints2011: 51 complaints2012: 26 complaints2013: 9 complaints2014: 23 complaints2015: 36 complaints2016: 38 complaints2017: 7 complaints
Lancer NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Lancer years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers2714%
Airbags2513%
Engine2211%
Transmission2211%
Brakes2111%
Suspension158%
Steering126%
Other116%
Speed Control105%
Body & Structure74%
Fuel System63%
Tires & Wheels42%
Electrical System42%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)32%
Seats21%
Seat Belts21%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V458000SuspensionJune 23, 2016 · 194,674 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, 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 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.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

06E038000LightingMay 8, 2006 · 724 units

Defect

CERTAIN ALFAOTTO COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

ALFAOTTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ALFAOTTO AT 626-656-2992 OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.ALFAOTTO.COM.

04V428000OtherSeptember 1, 2004 · 100,432 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB IN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO TURN SINCE PURCHASE AND HAS SINCE DETERIORATED. THE KNOB BROKE OFF YESTERDAY RESULTING IN THE TEMPERATURE SETTINGS TO NO LONGER BE OPERABLE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM, SINCE HEATING (AND COOLING) A VEHICLE ALLOWS IT TO BE OPERABLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · February 8, 2009

“I WENT INTO A DITCH (WAS RUN OFF THE ROAD) PASSENGER DOOR HIT A POLE, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND PASSENGER FRACTURED HER COLLAR BONE. THIS HAPPENED IN 2005. ALSO THE BLOW MOTOR HAS RUSTED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, I FOUND OUT THROUGH THE INTERNET THAT WATER FLOWS INTO THE MOTOR THROUGH THE WIPERS.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 6, 2005 · crash

“ACCELERATOR PEDAL OR THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS BACKING UP AND THE CAR REVVED REALLY HIGH AND CRASHED ME INTO A POLE. I THEN TRIED TO PULL FORWARDS AND THE CAR REVVED AGAIN AND LUNGED FORWARD, SMASHING INTO 2 CARS. I DID NOT EVEN HAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS AT THE TIME. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 27, 2004 · crash

“I WENT INTO A DITCH (WAS RUN OFF THE ROAD) PASSENGER DOOR HIT A POLE, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND PASSENGER FRACTURED HER COLLAR BONE. THIS HAPPENED IN 2005. ALSO THE BLOW MOTOR HAS RUSTED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, I FOUND OUT THROUGH THE INTERNET THAT WATER FLOWS INTO THE MOTOR THROUGH THE WIPERS.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 6, 2005 · crash

“TO AVOID CONTACT WITH A DEER I HIT THE BRAKES SLIDING INTO A UTILITY POLE CAUSING SIGNIFICANT FRONT END DAMAGE TO VEHICLE NO AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 8, 2012 · crash

2002 Mitsubishi Lancer — common questions

Is the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 194 complaints put the 2002 model at #2 of 18 Lancer years. It is one of the Lancer years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 Lancer problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (27 complaints), airbags (25 complaints), transmission (22 complaints).

Does the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mitsubishi Lancer years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Lancer years to avoid are 2003, 2002, 2009, 2008, 2004, 2010, 2005. The cleanest record among Lancer years belongs to 2000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.