Most common 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer problems
Share of the 98 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mitsubishi Lancer complaints by model year
Best Lancer years: 2007, 2013, 2017. Years to avoid: 2003, 2002, 2009, 2008, 2004. Compare all years →
2009 Mitsubishi Lancer recalls (8)
Structure › Frame and members
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,…
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…
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
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.
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.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
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.
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.
Electrical system
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…
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.
Visibility › Defroster/defogger/HVAC system › Fan/motor
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,…
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.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
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.
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.
Show 2 more recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
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…
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.
Service brakes, air › Supply › Check valve
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.
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.
What 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer owners say
Engine & cooling all 27 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that the vehicle would stall and overheat while driving various speeds without warning. The contact took the vehicle back to the independent mechanic from where it was purchased. The mechanic gave her a $200 reimbursement towards the repair of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to another independent mechanic where she was informed that the vehicle needed a new catalytic converter. The vehicle was repaired, but the failures recurred soon after, including shaking and jerking without warning. The contact took the vehicle to another mechanic where she was informed that the vehicle needed an entire new engine. The contact discovered that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 18V069000 (engine and engine cooling), 14V562000 (engine and engine cooling), and 12e012000 (exterior lighting). …
I went to a recall service for sunroof and drive belt on April 09,2018.today, after one year I'm waiting yet for the Mitsubishi call because the parts was unavailable, so they ordered them. I called many times, they said the drive belt arrived but not the sunroof. They have the drive belt and did not call me to install it. My A/C compressor stop working, I'm not sure but somebody told that this drive belt and A/C compressor works together. Today I received a postal letter from Mitsubishi to warning about the sunroof again. One year ago I went with the car for inspection and I still waiting
Electrical system
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 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 NHTSA 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.
Brakes
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. …
I was on the 4th floor of a parking garage in my town and was going up to the top level. As I am about to turn the corner, I realize I am going a bit faster than I thought. So I apply full pressure to the brakes which did not work as fast as they were supposed to. The tow truck man later told me that I was going around 20 to 30 MPH at time of impact. When I hit the pillar in front of me, the airbag didn't deploy and my seatbelt did not tighten as they were supposed to. This meant that my whole body snapped forward and impacted collarbone first into the steering wheel. After this incident, my whole left side felt numb and I was left with a swollen collarbone and contusions from the impact.
2009 Mitsubishi Lancer engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 22 / 30 / 25 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | 22 / 28 / 24 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | 21 / 27 / 23 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 21 / 28 / 23 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 25 / 20 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer a good car?
Based on 98 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Lancer rates avoid: 2.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the Lancer at the same age. It is one of the Lancer years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer?
The engine & cooling — 27 complaints, 28% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (19) and brakes (16).
How many recalls does the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer have?
There are 8 recalls for the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer, the most recent from May 18, 2020 (frame and members). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mitsubishi Lancer?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2007, 2013 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2003, 2002, 2009, 2008 and 2004. See the full Mitsubishi Lancer years comparison.
At what mileage do 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 75,000 miles; 28% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.