Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Vehicle accelerates on it's own. I have informed mitshubishi of the problem however according to mitshubishi they could not reproduce the problem by computer so as far as they were concerned there was no problem. I recently had an accident in the car and of course mitshubishi is trying to wiggle out of it. I guess I have to get killed in their vehicle before anything will be done. All I want is for mitshubishi to take their defective merchandise and give me the money that I have invested in this death trap so that I can purchase another vehicle. I am very sorry that I ever bought this car. It is a serious death trap!!!!!!!
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?
I went into a ditch (was run off the road) passenger door hit a pole, air bag did not deploy and passenger fractured her collar bone. This happened in 2005. Also the blow motor has rusted and needs to be replaced, I found out through the internet that water flows into the motor through the wipers. It cost over $400. To replace the motor.
Catalytic converter failure due to excessive fuel burning in exhaust manifold. Currently throwing p0421 code. Replaced 1st cat and 2nd cat failure on 8/23/05. See reference TSB 89. Lewisville Mitsubishi in lewisville tx claims so such TSB exists.
2002 Mitsubishi Lancer es . Have had four (4) accidents with this vehicle from date of purchase to present approximately 13 months in 2/2004 the automobile started stalling, and during the stall it would accelerate, and the brakes would not function during this. Also, the transmission made revving sounds periodically.I made an appointment at the Mitsubishi dealer ?bellsouth Mitsubishi? In sayreville njin feb 04? And explained the problem to the service dept.the put the car on a machine for tests and no errors were found. I then notified the sales person that sold me the car they requested me to leave it for 4 hours to run tests etc? They could not duplicate the problem. 12/17/04 when the vehicle stalled at a stop sign and accelerated into the truck ahead of me causing significant damage to the front ,the bumper, and hood of my car. …
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, NHTSA says owners are notified through registration records. They later stated they had sent me a recall notice in aug. 2005. …
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. …
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.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that the vehicle idled above the normal idle rate. The rpms increased, similar to as if the accelerator pedal was being depressed. The contact stated that the idling was a recurring failure that usually took place at lower speeds. When the vehicle was cranked or low on fuel the air conditioning powered on automatically. Also, the vehicle attempted to accelerate automatically when idling, and the brake pedal was depressed. Exhaust fumes entered the vehicle intermittently. In addition, the contact stated that the accelerator pedal was sticking on occasion. The current and failure mileage were 94000.
Tl 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. 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.
Engine complaints in other Lancer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer, 15% of the model year's 148 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 94,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.