I was driving down the road and spun out of control because my rack and pinion steering inner and outer tie rod snapped in half, because of rust from salt water and corrosion on the metal, resulting in my loss of control and front passenger wheel turned 90 degrees inward and nearly ripped the front tire off and under the car, brought the car home and inspected it tthoroughly, and saw the immediate problem
The worst 2009 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.
- Engine27
- Electrical19
- Brakes16
- Transmission14
- Lights13
- Airbags8
- Body6
- Suspension6
- Acceleration5
- Seat belts5
- Visibility4
- Fuel system2
- Tires2
- Driver assistance1
- Steering1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
Recalls 8
Structure: frame and members
- What is wrong
- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Sportback, 2008-2013 Outlander, and 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. 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 a loss of vehicle control, 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. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1‑888‑648‑7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-20-003.
Recall number 20V279000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys
- What is wrong
- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Lancer, 2008-2012 Outlander, 2010-2012 Lancer Sportback, and 2011-2012 Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with either a 4B11 or 4B12 engine. The drive belt automatic tensioner flange may crack, allowing the accessory drive belt to detach.
- Risk
- If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the belt tensioner with one that has an improved shape, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1‑888‑648‑7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-001.
Recall number 18V069000 · Recall details
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
- What is wrong
- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Outlander, 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Evolution, and 2010 Lancer Sportback vehicles equipped with sunroofs. The sunroof glass may detach from the sunroof assembly, becoming a road hazard to other vehicles.
- Risk
- If the sunroof glass detaches from the assembly while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sunroof glass assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1‑888‑648‑7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-003.
Recall number 18V071000 · Recall details
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles manufactured January 12, 2009, to July 6, 2010, 2009-2010 Outlander vehicles manufactured January 12, 2009, to August 27, 2010, 2010 Lancer Sportback vehicles manufactured June 17, 2009, to June 8, 2010, and 2010 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured July 14, 2009, to August 4, 2010. The affected vehicles have an electronic control unit (ECU) that controls the head lights, tail lights, and windshield wipers. Due to a manufacturing error, the voltage inside this ECU may be unstable.
- Risk
- Unstable voltage could result in intermittent failure of the vehicle's head lights, tail lights, and windshield wipers. If the headlights and/or windshield wipers fail, the driver could have reduced visibility. If the tail lights fail, the vehicle could be less visible. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected ECU, free of charge. The recall began on June 15 ,2015. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1‑888‑648‑7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-15-002.
Recall number 15V232000 · Recall details
Visibility: defroster/defogger/HVAC system: fan/motor
- What is wrong
- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Lancer vehicles manufactured March 16, 2009, to March 30, 2011, 2010-2011 Lancer Sportback vehicles manufactured June 17, 2009, to December 1, 2010, 2010-2011 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured July 14, 2009, to January 7, 2011, 2009-2011 Outlander vehicles manufactured February 10, 2009, to June 22, 2011, and 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured August 26, 2010, to November 19, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the blower motor may fail.
- Risk
- Failure of the blower motor may reduce the performance of the windshield defroster, diminishing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace a suspect blower motor, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1‑888‑648‑7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-15-003.
Recall number 15V233000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys
- What is wrong
- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Lancer, Lancer Evolution, and Outlander; 2009-2011 Lancer Sportback, Lancer Rilliart, and Lancer Sportback Ralliart; and 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles. The affected vehicles, manufactured with 4B1 engines, have an engine pulley and belt arrangement for turning the alternator, the cooling fan and the power steering pump (if equipped). These pulleys may experience unusual wear and allow for belt detachment.
- Risk
- If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the drive belt with a rubber belt. Drive pulleys that are excessively worn will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 15, 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1‑888‑648‑7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-009.
Recall number 14V562000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
- What is wrong
- Mitsubishi is recalling model year 2008-2009 lancer and lancer evolution vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of 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 district of columbia. In areas where heavy road salt is used in the winter, a long term exposure to a mixture of melted snow with salt thrown up by the other vehicles on the road may cause a water-salt mixture to adhere to the front impact sensors.
- Risk
- This coating over time may cause corrosion of the sensor. In the event of a vehicle crash of the type that would deploy the airbags this type of short-circuit may cause a delay in the deployment of the airbags which could result in driver or passenger injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install new front airbag sensors that have improved corrosion resistance. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on november 27, 2009. Owners may contact mitsubishi customer relations department at 1‑888‑648‑7820.
Recall number 09V435000 · Recall details
Service brakes, air: supply: check valve
- What is wrong
- Mitsubishi is recalling 39,711 my 2008-2009 outlander and lacer vehicles. Incorrect material composition of the brake booster check valve may cause the check valve to stick closed when the engine is shut off. When the vehicle is re-started and put into motion, under certain driving conditions (very slow vehicle maneuvers), there may be insufficient initial braking assist.
- Risk
- This may temporarily increase the stopping distance of the vehicle and therefore increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the brake booster check valve free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during april 2009. Owners may contact mitsubishi at 1‑800‑222‑0037.
Recall number 09V077000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer 107
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Tech Talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers
- This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 3rd...
- This Technical Service Bulletin provides service manual corrections and additional information for the...
- 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 TSB provides revisions to the Removal and Installation procedures for the rocker cover due to changes...
- This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew...
- This Technical Information Notice provides additional instructions to dealers when replacing the Valve...
- Technical Information Notice sent to dealerships to advise ofrevision changes to TSB "SR-20-003REV_2"
2009 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 22 | 28-30 | 24-25 |
| 2.4L 4‑cyl | FWD | 20-21 | 27-28 | 22-23 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | 4WD | 17 | 25 | 20 |
What 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated while driving at night, the low-beam headlights turned off and turned on independently, causing a visibility hazard for the driver. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V232000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 110,000.
The car started to slow down on its own even when my foot was on the gas it wouldn’t pick up speed over 20mph then it started to over heat, then smoke. It sounded like sparks like from a firecracker and smelt like something was burning to the point I had to pull over and turn the car off so my children and I could get out and breathe. When I restarted it turned on but would not drive when put into gear. I had it towed and the next day I tried again only this time the battery was dead and nothing was left on in the car I couldn’t understand how this happened so I bought a new battery put it in and it started still wouldn’t move though so I gave it a few days went to try again and the new battery was dead like something was draining all the power.
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.
My brake light are no longer working and it is not because of a bulb I replaced all of them and they still do not work. And also my cruise control turns on and off but it will not set a speed
The contact owns a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that after the vehicle had sat for over five days undriven, the vehicle had to be jump started. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic where the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the Bluetooth connection module was draining the battery and that the module needed to be removed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
The air bag light comes on and off when driving the car or parked and running. I see there was a recall on the airbag module thru 2007 lancer. Mine has 71k miles. Is there a recall in the works for 2009 models?
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 mitsubishi lancer. The contact stated that while driving down a hill at 15 MPH, the brakes failed to operate as needed upon depression as the ABS warning light illuminated. The contact had to pump his brakes repeatedly in an effort to stop the vehicle; he also applied the emergency brake for assistance before hitting a tree stump. The contact suffered a tweak in his right shoulder but did not seek medical attention. A police report was not needed and the airbags did not deploy due to low impact. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where they diagnosed the vehicle with defective brake pads and rotors. The contact then spoke to roseville automall(700 automall dr, roseville, ca 95661) and the manufacturer where he was informed that his vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v077000(service brakes, air); they offered no further assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.*dt
Having nothing but problems can't drive more than 20 minutes on the freeway or else my car starts making a weird noise and loses power shifting at high rpms
Sub frame is bad on the car. Had 3 different mechanics look and state unsafe to drive. Called mitsubishi motors and dealership multiple times no resolution...
Compare the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
Other model years
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Questions about the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
Is the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?
Owners have filed 98 complaints about the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer, 2.9 times a typical Lancer model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer year score?
The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer scores 30 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 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Engine and cooling, with 27 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles. Next is electrical (19).
How many recalls does the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer have?
8 recalls, covering structure, engine and engine cooling and visibility.
Was there a recall on the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer engine?
Yes, 2 recalls: 18V069000, 14V562000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
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).
What gas mileage does the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer get?
Official estimates for the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer range from 20 to 25 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 22 city and 28-30 highway.
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