VehicleVerdict

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer electrical system problems

The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer has 21 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 15% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

21

Electrical System complaints

15%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Lancer electrical system complaints by model year21 complaints2002: 4 complaints2003: 14 complaints2004: 7 complaints2005: 2 complaints2006: 2 complaints2007: 1 complaints2008: 9 complaints2009: 21 complaints2010: 7 complaints2011: 5 complaints2012: 1 complaints2013: 1 complaints2014: 2 complaints2015: 6 complaints2016: 4 complaints
Lancer electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

15V232000Electrical SystemApril 20, 2015 · 53,396 units

Defect

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.

What owners report

I HAVE AN 09 MITSUBISHI LANCER ES SPORT WITH THE SUN AND SOUND PACKAGE. THE AMPLIFIER, WHICH IS UNDER MY DRIVERS SIDE SEAT, FOR THE SOUNDSYSTEM STARTED SMOKING AND SPARKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO REPLACED IT A MONTH AGO, AND A WEEK AGO, WHILE I WAS DRIVING, IT STARTED SMOKING AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 27, 2010 · fire

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer have?

NHTSA has 21 complaints about the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer electrical system — 15% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer electrical system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the electrical system: 15V232000.

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.