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ProblemsByVinFile / 2009-MITSUBISHI-LANCERNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Mitsubishi
2009 Mitsubishi Lancer problems
The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer has 121 NHTSA owner complaints and 8 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer has 121 NHTSA owner complaints and 8 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 28 complaints, typically surfacing around 65,096 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
8
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2009 Lancer?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 6.2/10 — around the segment average
8 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
powertrain — 28 owner reports
· tends to show around 65,096 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
engine — 21 owner reports
· tends to show around 63,000 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
electrical — 17 owner reports
· tends to show around 69,674 mi · ~$850 to fix
brakes — 11 owner reports
· tends to show around 43,646 mi · ~$450 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 69,674 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 8 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2009 Lancer· engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Mitsubishi lancer. The contact received NHTSA campaign number: 14v562000 (engine and engine cooling) and stated that the part was not available. The dealer stated that they were uncertain when the part would become available to service the vehicle…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Mitsubishi lancer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 09v435000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…
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…
The ECU is bad and the headlights will turn off while driving there is many complaints on the internet about this but they refuse to acknowledge its an issue and want near 1000 $ to fix the issue. We have had the light turn off while driving several time causing my wife to…
Had a problem with your 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
If the sunroof glass detaches from the assembly while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.2 out of 10 based on 121 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer?
The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 6.2/10 — around the segment average; 8 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 28 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 65,096 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 121 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 65,096 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 28 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 65,096 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 65,096 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Mitsubishi Lancer has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 121 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Mitsubishi/Lancer.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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