Does the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer, the most recent reported on June 23, 2016 (Suspension: front, control arm, lower arm). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer?

Owners have filed 148 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is visibility (25 complaints), followed by air bags (23).

How many 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer complaints mention a crash or fire?

32 of 148 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 22 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2002 Mitsubishi Lancer recalls and problems

2 recalls and 148 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer.

recalls

148

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2002 Mitsubishi Lancer recalls

Suspension: front, control arm, lower arm

NHTSA campaign 16V458000 · reported June 23, 2016 · Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. · 194,674 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2002-2007 Lancer, 2004 Lancer Wagon, 2003-2006 Lancer Evolution, 2003-2006 Outlander and 2007-2013 Outlander V-6 vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
The risk: A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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 that has a sealing/anti-corrosion agent applied to it. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-003.

Equipment: other, labels

NHTSA campaign 04V428000 · reported September 1, 2004 · MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN · 100,432 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, 'occupant crash protection.' the bilingual english/spanish removable air bag warning labels affixed to the dash and to the sunvisor do not meet the size requirements of the standard.
The risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
The fix: Mitsubishi caribbean will mail a customer notification letter containing a written description and a graphic of the bi-lingual dashboard air bag warning label. In addition, all current 2000-2004 nativa owners will also receive replacement air bag alert labels for the sun visors. This recall is expected to begin during march or april 2005. The notification to the nativa owners is expected to begin during april or may 2005. Owners should contact mitsubishi caribbean at 1-787-251-8715.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Visibility25
Air bags23
Power train22
Engine and engine cooling19
Service brakes, hydraulic16
Suspension15
Steering12
Vehicle speed control10
Unknown or other8
Structure7

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Jun 27, 2022 · Visibility · 221,660 miles
The contact's daughter owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, she felt an air draft inside of the vehicle. The contact's daughter attempted to close the sunroof when she noticed that the sunroof had detached from the vehicle. The dealer was made…

Feb 23, 2021 · Engine · 201,532 miles
SMOG STATION INSPECTION REPORT ;; RECALL ONREPROGRAM PCM AND REPLACE FAN CONTROLLER

Apr 2, 2020 · Steering
THERE HAS NO BEEN AN INCIDENT YET. THE VEHICLE RATTLES IN THE FRONT END, EXACTLY WHERE THE RECALLED PART IS AT. I TOOK IT TO THE LICENSED DEALERSHIP THAT I WAS TOLD WAS QUALIFIED TO REPLACE THE PART AND THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE IT CLAIMING THAT THE VEHICLE IS TOO RUSTY AND THEY DON'T WANT TO LIFT IT UP ON THE AIR. I…

Mar 2, 2020 · Structure · 83,000 miles
FRONT LOWER ENGINE SUPPORT & CRADLE ARE RUSTED OUT ALONG WITH THE CROSS MEMBER. I CAN FURNISH PICTURES IF NECESSARY.

May 3, 2019 · Suspension · 160,000 miles
THERE'S A LOT OF POPING UNDERNEATH FRONT END AND THERE'S A RECALL AL ON THE CONTROL ARMS

Lancer model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2000	0	1	0	0
2002	2	148	32	1
2003	2	199	13	1
2004	4	80	7	3
2005	3	24	3	0

Across all years, the 2003 Lancer has the most complaints (199). All Mitsubishi Lancer years →

Questions

Does the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer, the most recent reported on June 23, 2016 (Suspension: front, control arm, lower arm). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer?: Owners have filed 148 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is visibility (25 complaints), followed by air bags (23).
How many 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer complaints mention a crash or fire?: 32 of 148 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 22 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received June 27, 2022.