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2002 Mitsubishi Lancer engine problems

22 complaints (15% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 94,000. 4 crashes reported.

owner complaints
22
of this car's complaints
15%
typical mileage
94,000
crashes
4
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Exhaust system
    6
  • Engine
    3
  • Cooling system: fan
    3
  • Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
    1
  • Exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor
    1
  • Engine: gasoline
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Mitsubishi Lancer engine problems in other years

1996200520102016

Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Check engine light 7Stalling 6

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 23, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · 201,532 miles · CA

Smog station inspection report ;; recall onreprogram PCM and replace fan controller

Filed Sep 6, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi lancer. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. In addition, the RPM's idled independently. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage and VIN were unknown.

Filed Aug 14, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 150,000 miles · IN · crash

Was going to the gas station to get gas and car accelerated on it's own. Then engine seized. There was no power steering then. Ran into a ditch. Car started smoking from engine. I didn't know there were recalls on these cars or I wouldn't have bought one. Biggest pain I've ever owned! The engine is wrecked. I spent a lot of money on this car. I have no car now, what am I supposed to do?

Filed Jul 24, 2011 · Engine · 122,592 miles · WA

Own a 2002 mitsubishi lancer, code p0421, showed after failure of emissions test. I called mitsubishi motors after finding this code was for a recall in aug. 05 emr-05-001/003, an emission recall on the catalytic converter, "may have experienced damage to the warm-up cat converter and subsequent illumination of the service engine soon lamp." mitsubishi informed me this recall was an extended warranty recall to replace the catalytic converter but that it expired in 2006, also, that it extended the warranty to 8 yrs or 100,000 mi. I explained to them I had not been notified of any recalls on this car. They informed me it was my fault for not informing them I was the owner, so I could be notified. However, the federal safety agency says owners are notified through registration records. They later stated they had sent me a recall notice in aug. 2005. I never received a recall notice on any of the three recalls for my car. This car hit 100,000 mi on 5/10/2008 which was before the 8yr limit. The service engine light intermittently started to flash 2/5/2010, at 122592 miles, still before the 8yr limit. We thought it was the gas cap not screwed on all the way because it didn't illuminate continuously until 06/2011. Mitsubishi has refused to replace the cat, because the car is now over 100,000 miles and the 8yr limit, of the extended warranty. We have performed a tune-up of the engine, oil change, belt replacement, valve gasket replacement, and fluid flush to help remedy the situation. The fan control, and PCM reflash were performed per the other two recalls for this vehicle.

Filed Jan 20, 2011 · Engine · 93,000 miles · PA

My service engine soon light turned on and I went to auto zone and got a code : p0421 oem brand: domestic definition: catalyst efficiency low bank 1 explanation: the oxygen sensors monitor the catalytic converters ability to store oxygen. Probable causes: 1- catalytic converter defective (failure possibly due to #2, 3, or 4.) 2- engine misfire or running condition. 3- large vacuum leak. 4- engine oil leakage into exhaust-valve guide seals, piston rings. I called mitsu and they said since my car is at 93500 that it would not be covered...that I would have to pay....my car is not accelerating as it was suppose too...alot of people have had same problem....after 90 miles...this is ridiculous.

Filed Apr 16, 2010 · Engine · 97,000 miles · NJ

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.

Filed Apr 1, 2009 · Engine · 133,847 miles · MA

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi lancer. The contact stated that the vehicle failed inspection due to an incomplete recall repair pertaining to the catalytic converter. The manufacturer stated that they were no longer liable for any failures on the vehicle because the mileage exceeded 150,000, which excluded the vehicle from qualifying for the recall repair. The "recall" was not found on the website and may have been deemed as a "safety improvement campaign" instead. The failure and current mileages were less than 133,847.

Filed Jan 28, 2009 · Engine · 200,000 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi lancer. While driving approximately 65 MPH on normal road conditions, the check engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel without warning. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing and they stated that the failure was related to the catalytic converter. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 200,000 and current mileage was 247,000. Updated 03/09/09. *lj the consumer stated before the recall was performed she didn't have any problems. The consumer stated the dealer unnecessary repairs to her vehicle and would like reimbursement. Updated 03/11/09.

Filed Nov 30, 2008 · Engine, Transmission · 207,908 miles · CA

1/ at about 207000 miles check engine light came on. Dealers diagnosis and 2 other repair shops : catalytic converter has to be replaced. Cost for this job: $ 1500. I did not replace catalytic converter and was performing normally. This happened first time in my life, that catalytic converter gives up during the life of the car. 2/ at 246,570 miles while vehicle was on, would not go into gear. Dealers diagnosis: car needs clutch assembly and resurface flywheel and clutch slave cylinder. Cost for this repair: about 1,200 plus tax again 1st time happened to me that car needs clutch assembly work with slave cylinder during the live of the car. 4/ while they checked the car for gear problem they recommended to me to replace timing belt: cost $ 723 plus tax and replacing valve cover gasket: cost $ 264 plus tax I believe they ripping people off, because while replacing timing belt they have to remove valve cover and they should not charge 2x for removing valve cover. This was estimated by mitsubishi-mazda dealership in san bernardino, ca. I'm questioning their prices and ability to properly diagnose and do this repairs based on the statements they made and their prices. After every time this car is serviced at mitsubishi dealer this car have more problems: screws missing, broken parts, engine check light comes on. I need from mitsubishi motor of north america inc. List of good repair facilities where the car can be repaired not sabotaged, where they have knowledgeable technician not monkeys. I had a few cars, but never happened that catalytic converter or clutch needed to be replaced during the life of the car, or I had to spent few thousand of $$ for repairs while maintaining the car properly during it's life.

Filed Mar 12, 2008 · Engine, Fuel system · 17 miles · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi lancer. The contact stated that she can fill up her gas tank one day and, before the week is out, the vehicle needs to be refueled. Periodically, the contact smells gasoline in her vehicle. The powertrain was unknown. The current mileage was 40,000 and failure mileage was 17.

Questions about the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer engine

Does the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer have engine problems?

Owners have filed 22 complaints about the engine of the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer, 15% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 94,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer engine?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Mitsubishi Lancer have bad engine?

The Mitsubishi Lancer model years with the most engine complaints are 2009 (27 complaints), 2002 (22 complaints) and 2010 (21 complaints).

Other 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer problems

Visibility 26Airbags 23Transmission 22Brakes 18Suspension 15Steering 12Acceleration 10Body 7Fuel system 6Electrical 4Wheels 3Seat belts 2Seats 2Locks 1Tires 1

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