I bought my 2014 mitsubishi lancer in nov. 2014 at long lewis ford in florence, al, where I received all regular maintenance and service performances for it. On sept. 15, 2017, I was driving down the road in my 2014 mitsubishi lancer and experienced complete engine failure (while in motion), creating a safety hazard. Once the system failed, I could no longer accelerate and could only "coast" to try and find a safe spot to brake. When I opened the hood, the main relay had caught fire, was black, burnt up, and melted on the inside. I couldn't get my car to go in neutral or any systems to work to get it completely off the road, creating another safety hazard, and had to have it towed. A sales tech met me with a new relay that I purchased. The new relay did not get my car moving again because when the relay (that was in my car when I bought it) caught fire, it caused damage to the computer/ECM. When giving the part numbers from my relay and ECM/computer for replacements, the parts specialists and I realized that the part numbers for the computer/ECM matched only a 2015 computer/ECM, and there was not a matching part number for the relay as that exact one was unobtainable, and a different one that was compatible had to be purchased. I have recently learned that there is a recall for the 2015-2017 mitsubishi lancer relays because there is a defect in the relay which causes complete engine failure. I would appreciate an investigation being performed to see if the 2014 mitsubishi lancers should be included under this recall as I have experienced the same relay issue, safety hazard and concerns, and also due to the fact that my 2014 lancer has a 2015 system in it. I need to make certain whether the relay that was put in my 2014 lancer when built, and when replaced, was/is not defective. Please advise if I need to direct this safety concern to another appropriate administrator.
Mitsubishi Lancer fire or smoke problems
10 of the 865 owner complaints about the Mitsubishi Lancer describe fire, smoke or burning smell, most of them for the 2009 model year.
- owner complaints
- 10
- worst model year
- 2009
- typical mileage
- 58,000
By model year
- 20141
- 20095
- 20081
- 20042
- 20031
Often reported together
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mitsubishi lancer. While driving various speeds, a burning odor was present and an abnormal noise was heard coming from the glove box. No visible flames were present. The contact, who was ase certified, diagnosed that the blower motor assembly failed and needed to be replaced. The fan blade was cleaned off and ashes were visible. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v233000 (visibility). The manufacturer was called and confirmed that the vehicle was not able to be serviced per the recall. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was approximately 183,032.
I have an 09 mitsubishi lancer es sport with the sun and sound package. The amplifier, which is under my drivers side seat, for the sound system started smoking and sparking. I took it to the dealership, who replaced it, and a week ago, while I was driving, it started smoking and sparking again, but stops when you power off the radio, if the power is on in the radio, it continues to smoke and spark. I believe there may be a wiring defect in my car that is causing this to happen and fear that if it continues my car may eventually catch on fire. Dealer will not look at it again unless I pay $120 initial fee.
Just left a auto car wash and within about two minutes smoke rises from the center floor console. I pulled into a nearby gas station about a block away. Parked away from the pumps. Demanded a fire extinguisher from the attendant. Returned to the car as flames just started to erupt from the console . The dry chemical extinguisher made quick work of the fire. I don't think between the smell & sight of smoke and putting out the fire five minutes elapsed. I think the wiring must have shorted. The cigarette lighter never worked. The only other the device on the harness into the console is the p-r-n-d illumination panel. The fire caused the plastic console housing to melt down into the top of the transmission linkage. The tow tuck operator was able to cut the melted plastic off of the linkage & I was able to dive the car home, a few blocks away. Apparently there wasn't damage to the metal linkages to the transmission. The cars' been declared a total loss!
I have an 09 mitsubishi lancer es sport with the sun and sound package. The amplifier, which is under my drivers side seat, for the soundsystem started smoking and sparking. I took it to the dealership, who replaced it a month ago, and a week ago, while I was driving, it started smoking and sparking again, but stops when you power off the radio, if the power is on in the radio, it continues to smoke and spark. I believe there may be a wiring defect in my car that is causing this to happen and fear that if it continues my car may eventually catch on fire.
I was driving down the road and heard a pop noise. Smoke came rolling out from underneath my front drivers side seat. I stopped and looked, but found no fire. Now the speakers do not work and the box underneath my seat smells like smoke. There was no fire, but definitely could have been.
2009 lancer mitsubishi - brake failure & transmission failure while driving about 60 miles per hr. Ended up on the side of the road and the car caught on fire. Reported - inspected but unable to hold mitsubishi liable because they did put out notice in may or june of the recall on the brake system.
Tl*the contact owns a 2009 mitsibushi lancer gts. The contact stated that at 60 MPH he applied pressure to the break pedal, but the vehicle would not stop. As a consequence the vehicle rolled over, and caught on fire. The vehicle was completely destroyed, and he sustained injuries. She has a copy of the police report. The failure and current mileages were 16,000.
I had just left my home. I had not been driving for more than 2 minutes when my front speakers shut off. I then start to notice a burning smell. I see the interior start to fill up with smoke. I thought it was an engine fire at first until I noticed a fire in my passenger door speaker. I pulled over but was not able to extinguish the flames. I made a call to 911 to send the fire department. Thankfully the fire house was very close and was able to put the fire out before it damaged more than just the door. I have the door and subsequent damage scheduled to be repaired aug 18th 2008. I have not taken apart, replaced, or upgraded any dash, radio or electrical component of the car. I don't know what would have caused this. Additionally I am also missing the heat and A/C knob as it broke off last winter.
My car caught on fire while I was driving it down the street.
Related recalls
Electrical system: starter assembly: relay
- What is wrong
- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Outlander, 2015-2016 Lancer and Outlander Sport, and 2015 Lancer Evolution vehicles. These vehicles may have defective relays that can result in an engine stall, reduced engine power or the engine overheating.
- Risk
- If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected relays, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1‑888‑648‑7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-005.
Recall number 17V609000 · 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
Questions about the Mitsubishi Lancer fire or smoke
Which Mitsubishi Lancer years have fire, smoke or burning smell problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2009 (5 complaints), 2004 (2 complaints) and 2003 (1 complaints).
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