17 of the 139 complaints about the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer are about the braking system — 12% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 45,000 miles.
17
Complaints
7
Crashes
2
Fires
5
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SERVICE BRAKES
My brake light are no longer working and it is not because of a bulb I replaced all of them and they still do not work. And also my cruise control turns on and off but it will not set a speed
NHTSA complaint #11477444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL AT 15 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE AS NEEDED UPON DEPRESSION AS THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUMP HIS BRAKES REPEATEDLY IN AN EFFORT TO STOP THE VEHICLE; HE ALSO APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FOR ASSISTANCE BEFORE HITTING A TREE STUMP. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A TWEAK IN HIS RIGHT SHOULDER BUT DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT NEEDED AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DUE TO LOW IMPACT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. THE CONTACT THEN SPOKE TO ROSEVILLE AUTOMALL(700 AUTOMALL DR, ROSEVILLE, CA 95661) AND THE MANUFACTURER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V077000(SERVICE BRAKES, AIR); THEY OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.*DT
NHTSA complaint #11378517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NO LONGER FUNCTIONING, BUT THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE STILL OPERATING. THE CAR FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO BRAKE LIGHTS NOT FUNCTIONING AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE ECU, PART NUMBER 8637C096 IS WHAT IS IN MY VEHICLE. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL FOR A 2009 LANCER, SR-15-002, FOR THE ECU BUT BECAUSE OF THE PART NUMBER (8637A826) DIFFERENCE THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPLACE MY ECU THAT IS FAULTY. UPON FURTHER PERSONAL INVESTIGATION I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL ISSUES SURROUNDING THE ECU FOR LANCERS;10091781, 10158957, 10142736, 10117850, 10158956, 10158955, 10142736, 10158957. SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS HAVE REPORTED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND THAT THE COMPANY WOULD NOT FIX THE ISSUE. (HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/MITSUBISHI/LANCER/2009/ELECTRICAL/ELECTRICAL_SYSTEM.SHTML) PART NUMBERS ARE "NOT TYPICALLY GIVEN OUT" I WAS TOLD AT THE DEALERSHIP ON SEPTEMBER 24TH, 2020. THE REPLACEMENT PART NUMBER I WAS GIVEN WOULD BE 8637C496. HOWEVER, THIS PART MUST BE PROGRAMMED BY A LISCENED DEALER....THIS MONOPOLY OF PARTS, REFUSAL TO GIVE OUT PART IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS, AND EXTREME COST (OF THE PART ~$870) HAS CAUSED PEOPLE TO BE UNABLE TO AFFORD THE REPAIR WHILE THE MANUFACTURE IS ESSENTIALLY NOT COVERING THE COST OF THE SAFETY CONCERN AND PUTS THE COST OF REPAIR ON THE CONSUMER.. OR THE VEHICLE CANNOT PASS INSPECTION AND THEREFOR CANNOT CONTINUE TO BE IN SERVICE. I WILL NOT OWN ANOTHER MITSUBISHI BECAUSE OF THIS. MY HUSBAND PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW. I AM THE SECOND OWNER AND ALL SAFETY RECALLS, SERVICE, AND EVEN TIRE ROTATIONS HAVE BEEN MAINTAINED ON THIS CAR. AFTER THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS COMPLETED, AND I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP TO RETURN HOME THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAYED ON AFTER MY CAR WAS PARKED AND THE KEY REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. AT THIS TIME MY 2009 LANCER IS SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP, AND I WAS ASKED IF I WOULD LIKE TO ORDER THE PART TO REPLACE.
NHTSA complaint #11361090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS ON THE 4TH FLOOR OF A PARKING GARAGE IN MY TOWN AND WAS GOING UP TO THE TOP LEVEL. AS I AM ABOUT TO TURN THE CORNER, I REALIZE I AM GOING A BIT FASTER THAN I THOUGHT. SO I APPLY FULL PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES WHICH DID NOT WORK AS FAST AS THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO. THE TOW TRUCK MAN LATER TOLD ME THAT I WAS GOING AROUND 20 TO 30 MPH AT TIME OF IMPACT. WHEN I HIT THE PILLAR IN FRONT OF ME, THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY AND MY SEATBELT DID NOT TIGHTEN AS THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO. THIS MEANT THAT MY WHOLE BODY SNAPPED FORWARD AND IMPACTED COLLARBONE FIRST INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. AFTER THIS INCIDENT, MY WHOLE LEFT SIDE FELT NUMB AND I WAS LEFT WITH A SWOLLEN COLLARBONE AND CONTUSIONS FROM THE IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint #11290578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVEN WHEN THE CONTACT SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. ON ONE OCCASION, THE CONTACT HAD TO SWERVE AROUND ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. ALSO, THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND NEW BRAKES WERE ORDERED. THE MECHANIC PLANNED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE ONCE THE PARTS ARRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
NHTSA complaint #11253001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
ABS BRAKE MODULATOR WAS A KNOWN FAULTY DESIGN PER MITSUBISHI. AN UPDATED UNIT WITH NEW MODEL NUMBER ALLEDGEDLY FIXES THE COMMON PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT UNDER RECALL. MY CAR HAS ONLY 55,000 MILES AND THESE PUMPS SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR NORMALLY. THE COST TO REPLACE IS $1800 WHICH IS MUCH HIGHER THAN MOST MAKES AND MODELS.
NHTSA complaint #11252157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 3/31/15
NHTSA complaint #10680011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 3/31/15
NHTSA complaint #10680011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATIONS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V562000 (ENGINE), NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12E012000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V077000 (AIR, SERVICE BRAKES). HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED WERE UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO INFORM WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10655067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
SHORTLY AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE; TAKE A TURN LEFT AND THEN MADE; I TURN ON THE ABS LIGHT SHORTLY AFTER ENGINE LIGHT LIT TOO AND, DAYS LATER, THE ABS LIGHT WENT OUT. THE NEXT DAY I STARTED THE ENGINE; RUNNING THE CAR AT 15 TO 35 MILES, SOUNDS A HIT; IN THE TRANSMISSION AND ABS LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN DOING SO FAR.
NHTSA complaint #10651258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I WAS DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN THERE WAS A WEIRD NOISE AND MY ABS LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD TO RUN AN ERRAND AND WHEN I GOT BACK IN THE CAR, MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I HAD MY STATE EMISSIONS TEST AND IN TURNED FAILED BECAUSE THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REAR SPEED SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS WHICH HAS IN TURN CAUSED MY ABS LIGHT AND THE ABS LIGHT CAUSED MY SERVICE ENGINE. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES OR ABS AND NO REASON TO HAVE FAILED EMISSIONS. I'M WORKING TO REPLACE THE SPEED SENSOR.
NHTSA complaint #10469354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE 09 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ON A GREEN LIGHT, BRAKES NEVER ENGAGED SO I PULLED THE E-BRAKE, THE CR GOT OUT OF CONTROLLED AND CRASHED INTO A LIGHT POLE.
NHTSA complaint #10415579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2009 LANCER MITSUBISHI - BRAKE FAILURE & TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MILES PER HR. ENDED UP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. REPORTED - INSPECTED BUT UNABLE TO HOLD MITSUBISHI LIABLE BECAUSE THEY DID PUT OUT NOTICE IN MAY OR JUNE OF THE RECALL ON THE BRAKE SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10308413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSIBUSHI LANCER GTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT 60 MPH HE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BREAK PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. AS A CONSEQUENCE THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER, AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED, AND HE SUSTAINED INJURIES. SHE HAS A COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 16,000.
NHTSA complaint #10285038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MITSUBISHI LANCER ES SPORT 2009. I HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM, I RECEIVE A LETTER OF A SERVICE RECALL AND I WENT TO MAKE THE REPARATIONS. THE CAR HAS PRESENT SEVERAL BRAKE PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT CALIPERS, DISKS AND PADS. APPARENTLY THE CAR HAS A DEFECT BECAUSE THE LEFT FRONT CALIPER MAKES THE PAD HAVE A FASTER WASTAGE THAN USUAL AND REDUCES THE BRAKE EFFICIENCY. I THINK THAT THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT PROBLEM BECAUSE MY LIFE IS IN RISK AND OTHER PERSONS LIFE BECAUSE I CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.. THE CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY 4 TIMES BUT STILL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, ACTUALLY THE CAR HAS 29,157 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10281613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE A 09 LANCER I HAD THE BRAKE RECALL DONE A MONTH LATER I WAS DRIVING TO WORK JUST GOT OFF THE EXPRESSWAY WAS ON A SIDE STREET DOING 30 MILES PER HOUR THE SPEED LIMIT THE BRAKES FAILED CAUSING ME TO REAREND ANOTHER CAR I AM INJURED AND IN THERAPY ALSO NONE OF THE AIR BAGS WENT OFF THERE IS OVER $6000 DOLLARS IN DAMAGE ON JUST MY CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10280237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE, I WAS ON THE LEFT HAND LANE WHEN I LOOKED THROUGH THE REARVIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED A VEHICLE BEHIND DOING ABOUT 80-90 MILES PER HOUR. I MERGED TO THE MIDDLE LANE SO THAT THEY COULD CONTINUE ON. THEY WERE RECKLESSLY DRIVING AND THEY SWERVED TO MY LANE, I PROCEEDED TO SWERVE TO AVOID GETTING HIT AND WHEN I TRIED TO HIT THE BRAKES THEY JAMMED ON ME. I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND HIT THE RIGHT DIVIDER WITH THE FRONT OF MY CAR, THE CAR PROCEEDED TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL AND EVERY ANGLE OF THE CAR WAS HIT WITH DIVIDER AND THEN I ENDED UP IN THE MIDDLE LANE FACING TRAFFIC. ONLY 3 OUT OF 8 AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE MAIN AIRBAG WHICH WAS THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG AND KNEE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR IS CLAIMED TO BE A TOTAL LOSS BY GEICO.
NHTSA complaint #10263666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.