Lancer (8th)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
Mitsubishi Lancer Unidentified Engine
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Complaint Breakdown
Show 5 additional engine variants with limited data
2.4-I4-Gas
2.4L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
3.8-V6-Gas
3.8L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
3.0-V6-Gas
3.0L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
6G74
3.5L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
2.0 MPI
2.0LView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Mitsubishi Lancer, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2002-2007 Mitsubishi Lancer
On a used 2002-2007 Mitsubishi Lancer, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the transmission and drivetrain (149), the airbags and driver-assist systems (77) and the engine (50). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 149 owner complaints on the 2002-2007 Mitsubishi Lancer about the transmission and drivetrain.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 77 owner complaints on the 2002-2007 Mitsubishi Lancer about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 50 owner complaints on the 2002-2007 Mitsubishi Lancer about the engine.
- Drive over a speed bump and a rough patch at 15 to 20 mph with the radio off.Safety. NHTSA has 43 owner complaints on the 2002-2007 Mitsubishi Lancer about the suspension.
- With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 43 owner complaints on the 2002-2007 Mitsubishi Lancer about the cooling system.
Recalls (9)
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles that previously received a like-for-like passenger side frontal air bag inflator under recall 15V321 as interim remedy. Also recalled are 2004-2006 Lancer vehicles located in Guam or Saipan that previously received or never received a new inflator under 15V321 or 17V569. These passenger side frontal air bag inflators may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to explode in the event of an air bag deployment.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Lancer and Lancer Evolution vehicles and 2004 Lancer Sportback vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
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.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Lancer and Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured June 29, 2005, to June 19, 2007, equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
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.
Show 4 older recalls
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
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.
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2002-2007 Mitsubishi Lancer complaints?
Owners have filed 599 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002-2007 Mitsubishi Lancer. The systems they name most often are the transmission, the safety systems and the engine.
Is the 2002-2007 Mitsubishi Lancer a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 599 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002-2007 Mitsubishi Lancer. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002-2007 Mitsubishi Lancer have?
NHTSA has 599 owner complaints on file for the 2002-2007 Mitsubishi Lancer as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2002-2007 Mitsubishi Lancer?
NHTSA lists 9 recalls covering some 2002-2007 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Mitsubishi Lancer?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the transmission, the safety systems and the engine, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
Does the Lancer have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2002-2007 Mitsubishi Lancer. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 599 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.