This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by improper sealing or a defective/broken part.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Mitsubishi Lancer lighting problems
severe 9 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $250 · see lighting across all vehicles →
Complaints
9
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 9 lighting complaints filed for the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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 lighting complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 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 lighting 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.
This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This TSB clarifies the stop light switch installation and adjustment procedure in the affected service manuals.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Low beam, daylights and high beam headlights will randomly turn off while driving. This is a recall for etacs ECU on 2009 lancers manufactured between jan 12, 2009 and july 6, 2010. My car was manufactured on nov, 2008. Reference r/2015/157. Right now is unsafe driving this vehicle during nights. I notice on the internet that there's a lot of complains for the same model and year but where not…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Mitsubishi lancer. The contact received notifications for NHTSA campaign numbers: 14v562000 (engine), NHTSA campaign number: 12e012000 (exterior lighting) and NHTSA campaign number: 09v077000 (air, service brakes). However, the parts needed were unavailable to repair the vehicle. The dealer was unable to inform when the parts would become available. The manufacturer…
Vehicle head lights will randomly turn off while driving. The dealer says my etacs is faulty. This is the same symptoms that has forced a recall on other lancers. Sr-15-002. I feel this recall needs to be expanded.
Had lighting 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 lighting problem on the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer?
It's a meaningful issue. 9 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $250.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Based on the 9 complaints filed, lighting issues most often appear around 122,385 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting 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 lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting 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.