The contact's daughter owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, she felt an air draft inside of the vehicle. The contact's daughter attempted to close the sunroof when she noticed that the sunroof had detached from the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the sunroof part was no longer manufactured and they were unable to get the part to perform the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 221,660.
The worst 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Visibility26
- Airbags23
- Engine22
- Transmission22
- Brakes18
- Suspension15
- Steering12
- Acceleration10
- Body7
- Fuel system6
- Electrical4
- Wheels3
- Seat belts2
- Seats2
- Locks1
- Tires1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer
No deployment 19Check engine light 7Ball joint 6Grinding brakes 6Stalling 6Sudden acceleration 5
Trouble codes owners of the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer mention
P0421 3
Recalls 2
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 16V458000 · Recall details
Equipment: other: labels
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 04V428000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer 92
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 3rd...
- This Technical Service Bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the reduction in load...
- This Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of...
- This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 2nd...
- This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew...
- This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers
- This is a message sent to dealers, to inform them that an update for MEDIC will be available.
- This TSB contains troubleshooting steps for diagnosis of various customer complaints relating to the audio...
- This is an index of Tech Talk newsletter articles released in 2012.
2002 Mitsubishi Lancer fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4‑cyl | FWD | 21-24 | 26-30 | 23-26 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 21-23 | 27-30 | 23-25 |
What 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Smog station inspection report ;; recall onreprogram PCM and replace fan controller
There has no been an incident yet. The vehicle rattles in the front end, exactly where the recalled part is at. I took it to the licensed dealership that I was told was qualified to replace the part and they refused to replace it claiming that the vehicle is too rusty and they don't want to lift it up on the air. I had just had 4 new tires put on it recently and they used a car lift without any issues. I would like the part replaced because now I'm worried about the defect causing a serious accident if it is not replaced. The reason it is being recalled is because it is prone to rust and may deteriorate over time and that is exactly what is happening and they refuse to fix it.
Front lower engine support & cradle are rusted out along with the cross member. I can furnish pictures if necessary.
There's a lot of poping underneath front end and there's a recall al on the control arms
This is not the first mitsubishi that has done this. My ex's 2000 mitsubishi eclipse also had this same problem. The speedometer does not register. I need to know how fast I am going.
Takats recall .manufacturer recall numbersr-16-003
Catalytic converter overheating emissions recall. Second is the inside and outside surfaces of the front cross members used on certain vehicles. It was a recall on the catalytic converter overheating. I need to get my car fix.
Brakes locked up and subframe snapped while driving. Found out recently that there was a recall on my car.
My husband was in an accident and over corrected hit an embankment and a tree and this pushed him back into the road and spin shooting him into another embankment and this resulted in him being forced backwards and into another ditch on the other side of the road hitting a mailbox and another ditch. The airbag never deployed and the seat broke as if he was laying down to sleep but it was broke into this position. He hit his face on the steering wheel and injured his eye some how and the hospital said that it was due to the airbag not deploying. Why did his seat get throwed back like that and break please explain. I could have lost my husband..
Compare the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer
Other model years
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Questions about the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer
Is the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?
Owners have filed 148 complaints about the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer, 4.4 times a typical Lancer model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer year score?
The 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer scores 18 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mitsubishi Lancer: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Windows, wipers and visibility, with 26 complaints, typically around 91,000 miles. Next is airbags (23).
How many recalls does the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer have?
2 recalls, covering suspension and equipment.
What year does the Mitsubishi Lancer have the most visibility problems?
The Mitsubishi Lancer model years with the most visibility complaints are 2003 (76 complaints), 2002 (26 complaints) and 2004 (22 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer get?
Official estimates for the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer range from 23 to 26 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.6L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 21-24 city and 26-30 highway.
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