This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Mitsubishi Lancer brakes problems
severe 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
6crashes
2fires
5injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 11 brakes complaints filed for the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
MITSUBISHI MOTORS: IMPROVEMENTS MADE TO THE SERVICE MANUAL IN REFERENCE TO FASTENER TIGHTENING TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS. MODELS INCLUDE OUTLANDER MY2007-2014, OUTLANDER SPORT/RVR 2011-2014, LANCER 2008-2014, LANCER EVOLUTION 2008-2014, AND LANCER SPORTBACK 2009-2014. UPDATED 12/16/13.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report four distinct brake problems on the 2009 Lancer. The most serious is complete brake failure where the pedal has no effect—some failures occurred at 16,000 and 30,000 miles, including shortly after recall service. In these cases, owners describe slamming the pedal with no deceleration, forcing emergency brake use or collision. Three owners report vehicles catching fire after brake failure.
ABS warning lights illuminate during or before these failures in several cases, sometimes accompanied by unusual noises. One owner's ABS light traced to a rear speed sensor malfunction.
A third distinct issue: an ABS brake modulator with known faulty design not covered by recall; Mitsubishi acknowledges the problem and offers an updated unit at $1,800 cost.
Fourth, one owner describes a left front caliper that wears pads abnormally fast and reduces braking efficiency. This vehicle completed recall service but experienced the same problem after four separate repair attempts.
Across all reports, Mitsubishi declined assistance or stated vehicles fell outside the existing brake recall, despite owners documenting crashes, injuries, and fires.
Failure modes owners describe
Complete Brake Failure
Brake pedal depression does not result in vehicle braking, even when slammed. Owners describe total loss of braking authority requiring emergency brake and collision avoidance maneuvers.
When: 97,000–110,000 miles and as low as 16,000 and 30,000 miles post-recall
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal depresses with no vehicle deceleration; Failure occurs repeatedly; Vehicle does not stop even with hard pedal application; Some failures accompanied by ABS warning light illumination
Codes mentioned: ABS warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Defective brake pads and rotors diagnosed at 110k miles; front calipers and disks also implicated. One vehicle required 4 repair attempts for same issue. Another required e-brake application; repairs not yet completed in reported cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 09V077000 (Service Brakes, Air) cited in one case; owner told vehicle not covered. Manufacturer offered no further assistance despite documented failures. One complaint notes recall was issued May–June timeframe but owner states manufacturer could not be held liable.
ABS Warning Light with or without Braking Issues
ABS warning indicator illuminates, sometimes during braking events, sometimes intermittently without apparent braking loss at the time of report.
When: 45,000 miles (intermittent) through 110,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light illuminates during braking; ABS warning light illuminates intermittently; Weird noise heard before ABS light appeared
Codes mentioned: ABS warning light, Service engine light (secondary to rear speed sensor fault)
Repairs/costs cited: One case traced to rear speed sensor malfunction. No specific parts or costs cited for ABS-light-only cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealership stated 'nothing wrong with the brakes or ABS' despite sensor codes and warning lights.
ABS Brake Modulator Failure
ABS modulator unit exhibits known faulty design per Mitsubishi. Replacement unit available with new model number; problem not under recall.
When: 55,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: ABS brake modulator malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement cost cited as $1,800, described as higher than comparable parts in other makes.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Known faulty design acknowledged by Mitsubishi; updated unit with new model number allegedly fixes common problem. Not under recall.
Unspecified Brake System Defect with Rapid Pad Wear
Left front caliper causes abnormally fast pad wear and reduced brake efficiency. Vehicle underwent recall service but problem persists after four repair attempts.
When: 29,157 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Faster than normal brake pad wear on left side; Reduced brake efficiency; Brake problems with front calipers, disks, and pads
Repairs/costs cited: Repaired 4 times; same problem recurred each time. No specific replacement parts or costs stated.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle subject to recall letter; owner attended recall service. Problem persisted despite multiple repairs.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
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…
Had brakes trouble with your 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 15,000 and 75,000 miles, with the median around 25,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 15,000; a quarter make it past 75,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Mitsubishi/Lancer.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.