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 PANIC AND CAUSING ALARM THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT
2009 mitsubishi Lancer electrical problems
severe 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$850
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC KEY SYSTEM FAILED AND THE KEY COULD NOT BE INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE AND THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE KEY COMPUTER SYSTEM, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2009 mitsubishi Lancer?
It's a meaningful issue. 17 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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