Defective cat. Recall is still open but mitsubishi refuses to fix the problem. Dealers are instructed to clear the code (reflash PCM) but light will come back because defective cat needs to be replaced. This is the original cause of the recall. Vehicle is out of warrenty, so the will not replace the cat. If the cat was still under warrenty and the check engine light was on, they would replace it. We are the original owners and never recieved the recall notice. We have spent a fortune trying to get the light off in order to get through inspection, not knowing of the source and the recall. What is the point of the recall if they don't fix the problem? They just cover it up by reflashing the computer. The fact is, our car has a defective cat. We were never notified of the recall. We cannot pass inspection without replacing the defective cat that caused a recall.vehicle's engine over-compensates for bad o2 reading causing sudden acceleration. Mitsubishi refuses to fix the problem.
2002 Mitsubishi Lancer: sudden unintended acceleration
5 of the 148 complaints about the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer describe sudden unintended acceleration.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- recalls
- 0
Sudden unintended acceleration by model year
- 20062
- 20032
- 20025
What owners say
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi lancer. The contact was driving approximately 35 MPH; approached a traffic stop light. The engine began to rev; and vehicle lunged forward. During braking there was difficulty to stop the vehicle. The authorized dealer was notified of the malfunction. The vehicle has not been repaired at this time. The failure mileage was 137,120. Updated 11/16/10.
Accelerator pedal or the transmission. I was backing up and the car revved really high and crashed me into a pole. I then tried to pull forwards and the car revved again and lunged forward, smashing into 2 cars. I did not even have my foot on the gas at the time. I had my foot on the brake and the only way that I could make the car stop was to put it in park. I had no damage to my own car but did cause quite a bit to the other cars. I had a friend who is a mechanic look at my car and he seems to think there is something wrong with the transmission. I only bought the car 7 months ago at a dealer and the transmission fluid is already dark brown. I'm not sure why this would be, I have had 3 oil changes on my car since I bought it and I've only put 9000 miles on it since I bought it 7 months ago. There should not be that kind of wear on the tranny after that little of use. I know that I did not accelerate so if the car is doing it on its own, I really don't want this to happen again.
The engine revved, and then experienced sudden acceleration.
The vehicle's engine revved while slowing down which caused the engine to surge and the car to suddenly accelerate. *ts
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer sudden acceleration
Is sudden unintended acceleration a common problem on the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer?
5 of 148 owner complaints about the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer (3%) mention sudden unintended acceleration. The model year with the most reports is 2002.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer?
There are 0 recalls and 3 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer
No deployment 19Check engine light 7Ball joint 6Grinding brakes 6Stalling 6
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