60 of the
1,139 complaints filed about the Mitsubishi Lancer
are about the body and structure —
5% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2003.
The contact owns a 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, there was an abnormally loud thumping sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact pulled over the shoulder of the roadway. Upon inspection, the contact became aware that the front driver’s side wheel had caved inward from the top. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic where it was determined that the cross members were rusted. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
NHTSA complaint #11609530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I've had the vehicle for 7 years and after inspection performed by the dealer, there is so much subframe rot that my car will not pass the next inspection due in April. I've contacted Mitsubishi and they said there is nothing they can do as there isn't any recall. This model of Mitsubishi has had recalls on many different previous years, such as 2005, 2010 and many online reports of 2014 with the same problem.
NHTSA complaint #11607451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
We had car at a car dealer and the manufacturer declined doing the recall on the car for corrison on the front crossmember, telling us due to car has a total loss record on Carfax. The vehicle total loss record was for a accident that didn't effect that part of the car that's under recall, it was due to vehicle repairs were more then what car was worth. The piece I think they call it crossmember has rust holes through it and is about to come apart at the rusted holes on the part. We buy the car JA3AU86U18U016308 in 2022 for our daughter to drive to college. Just finding out when we took it into the car place to perform this recall they won't do the recall because of Mitsubishi. I filled this out for my dad, he bought car for me.
NHTSA complaint #11560732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The rear crossmember subframe is rusted out very badly, and has all the rear axel and components attached to it. This is very unacceptable for car that cost nearly 40 grand.
NHTSA complaint #11519910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for routine maintenance, and he was informed that the sub frame was rusted. The contact was informed that there was a huge hole in the sub frame. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
NHTSA complaint #11512320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated while the vehicle was having a routine oil change at the dealer, the mechanic stated that rear crossmember bar was rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact was informed that the front crossmember bar needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 116,000. The consumer stated while the mechanic was attempting to change the front cross member started taking the front end apart, he said he had stripped a bolt on the catalytic converter. Also, the dealer charged the consumer for a new catalytic converter without permission. A new appointment was made on 12/14/2022 to fix the damages at their cost.
NHTSA complaint #11494679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I got a service needed warning for the electric power steering and I lost all power steering... As it turned out, the rack and pinion was bad because the subframe rotted out where the rack and pinion mounts up and a custom built subframe and rack and pinion had to be installed on the car at a cost of almost $5,000...
NHTSA complaint #11484709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated while driving down his driveway at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal popping sound coming from underneath the front end of the vehicle. The contact engaged the parking brake. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and raised up on a lift. The vehicle was diagnosed with a severely corroded front subframe. Additionally, there were large holes in the subframe. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the vehicle was not drivable. The dealer and other unknown dealers were notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the 10 years/ 100,000 mile corrosion warranty could not cover the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 57,130.
NHTSA complaint #11483994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My lancer has very bad rear end chassis rust where the rear subframe is fastened to the monobody. In this area all the suspension components and rear drivetrain are located. Damage occurs due to salt and other corrosive agents that are used for roads in Connecticut to melt snow. These agents rust the car where Mitsubishi failed to properly protect the steel under the rear end of the vehicle. It is widely observed that the 03-06 lancer has from factory a poor to almost no anti rust agent applied to the lower rear chassis area of the car where the subframe crossmember is located that holds suspension components and rear differential. Currently under nhtsa campaign 16V458000, there is a safety recall for the front subframe crossmember due to rust damage. As for the rear of the car there most certainly should be a safety campaign as the rust in this area develops quicker and can cause a catastrophic failure.
NHTSA complaint #11455652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Routine service at 112 Mitsubishi Dealer/Service Center noted that my front crossbar was severely corroded and “coming apart in chunks”. They noted that this defect is known and was recalled on later model years of my car, but not my 2011. Considering it was recalled already and is the same issue, I would recommend and hope the 2011 model year can also be included in the recall. It is available for inspection through mid September when I expect to repair it. There were no warnings leading up to this discovery of the defect, as it is structural. I am not an expert, but I would expect this advanced corrosion could fully compromise the car structure in a catastrophic way, resulting in an accident and/or injury.
NHTSA complaint #11428338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated while working on the vehicle, the contact noticed that there was a huge hole in the sub-frame due to rust. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and it was diagnosed that the sub-frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 196,000. The VIN was unavailable.
NHTSA complaint #11418918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING AT 25 MPH, WHEN THE CROSS MEMBER SNAPPED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND JUMPED THE CURB. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A DISLOCATED RIGHT THUMB AND DID NOT SEEK MEDICATION ATTENTION. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THE CROSS MEMBER, UNKNOWN TIE ROD AND BALL JOINT WAS NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V279000 (STRUCTURE, SUSPENSION), HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED TO UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS
NHTSA complaint #11398893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V279000 (STRUCTURE, SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED SUNNYSIDE MITSUBISHI (7630 PEARL RD, MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, OH 44130; (440) 243-7711) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.*DT
NHTSA complaint #11374326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY SRS LIGHT JUST STARTED COMING ON A FEW YEARS AGO BEFORE WE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT. WHEN WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO CHECK IT, THEY SAID IT WAS A COSTLY REPAIR AND IS ONLY TO REMOVE THE LIGHT...BUT THAT THE AIRBAGS WOULD STILL DEPLOY IF WE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT. SINCE THEN, WE'VE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE WE WERE REAR-ENDED (WHICH WOULD NOT DEPLOY THE AIRBAGS) BUT IT PUSHED US INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF US (WHICH SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED THE AIRBAGS). SEEING AS THIS LIGHT JUST CAME ON WAY BEFORE ANY ACCIDENTS AND COULD NOT HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY ANYTHING WE DID, I BELIEVE IT TO BE FAULTY FROM THE MANUFACTURER. WHEN GOOGLING THIS ISSUE, I FOUND A LOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME THING HAPPENING. YET, MITSUBISHI HAS NEVER BEEN PUSHED TO MAKE THEIR SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER FLAW INTO A SAFETY RECALL AND EXPECTS TO JUST MAKE MONEY OFF MITUBISHI OWNERS COMING IN TO PAY TO HAVE THIS FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #11363572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS NEW RECALL IN JULY 2020 A DETACHED FRONT CONTROL ARM MAY MAKE YOU LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR .MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER LOST CONTROL OF HER CAR BECAUSE THE RIGHT SIDE TIRE STARTED TO SHAKE AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL CAR AND WRECKED ON 6/26/2020 HER AIR BAGS ON PASSENGER SIDE CAME OUT WHEN SHE WENT OFF THE ROAD IN A DITCH. SHE WAS DRIVING IN CLEAR CONDITIONS AT 55 MPH AND THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE STARTED TO SHAKE. SHE WAS GIVEN A TICKET FOR FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF HER CAR. AND HAS A COURT DATE WITH RECKLESS DRIVING. I CAN GIVE YOU THE VA COURT ID FOR THE DETAILS OF THIS.
NHTSA complaint #11343807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
REAR FRAME RAIL RUST. THE CAR STATED TO ACCUMULATE RUST ON THE FRAME RAILS OF THE CAR THAT CONNECTS THE REAR SUBFRAME AND REAR TOE ARM. FAILURE OF THESE AREAS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER DID A POOR JOB CORROSION PROOFING THIS AREA ON THIS MODEL YEAR. THE CAR HAD A 7 YEAR/ 100,000 RUST WARRANTY IN WHICH I AM SURE THIS PROBLEM DEVELOPED WITHIN THAT COVERAGE BUT WAS HARD TO NOTICE UNTIL RUST STARTED FORMING ON THE OUTSIDE FRAME WHICH IS HARD TO SEE WITHOUT JACKING UP THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11326274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I FINALLY GOT HOME TO LOOK AT MY NEW CAR AND I WANT CAR THAT HAS NO SCRATCHES OR PAINT EVEN COMING OFF SLIGHTLY.... THIS A HARDLY THING YOU CAN SEE AND MY DEFROST, WHEN IS CUT ON, MAKES A CLICK/POP NOISE EARLY IN MORNING... I WANT A CAR ALSO WITH SPORT MODE A MITSUBISHI LANCER THANK YALL .
NHTSA complaint #11320725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
RUSTED CROSSMEMBER, CONTROL ARMS, BRACES HOLDING THE GAS TANK. SAFETY CONCERNS ABOUT THE RUST UNDERNEATH MY CAR (120K MILES CALIFORNIA VEHICLE) RUST MAY HAVE EATEN THROUGH THE METALS UNDERNEATH MY CAR AND IM SCARED TO DRIVE WITH THESE RUST PROBLEMS BECAUSE THEY MIGHT FAIL WHEN IM ON THE FREEWAY WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF A BAD ACCIDENT CAUSING MY LIFE AND OTHER PEOPLES LIFE ON THE LINE. I DONT DRIVE MY CAR NO MORE THAN 10 MILES ANYMORE DUE TO THIS RUST PROBLEM. THE PICTURE I PROVIDED DOESNT LOOK THAT BAD BUT LIFTING THE CAR UP IN THE AIR GOING UNDERNEATH WILL GIVE YOU THE IDEA OF HOW BAD IT IS. I HAVE OWNED VEHICLES THAT ARE ALMOST 30 YEARS OLDER THAN THE CURRENT CAR THAT I HAVE AND I HAD NO PROBLEM WITH RUST UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND THIS IS ACTUALLY MY FIRST TIME EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM AND IM WORRIED ABOUT MY SAFETY. I HOPE THIS GETS TAKEN ACTION AND WILL GIVE ME ANY LEADS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11266592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.