Model Year Problem Record

Mitsubishi Lancer 2002 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

148Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

2Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

0Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

48Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Engine22

Brakes21

Vehicle Speed Control10

Unknown Or Other8

Vehicle Structure7

Equipment6

Fuel and Propulsion System6

Latches, Locks and Linkages1

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Visibility27 complaints

27 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags25 complaints

25 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine22 complaints

22 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train22 complaints

22 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes21 complaints

21 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension15 complaints

15 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 16V458000.

Steering12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment6 complaints

6 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 04V428000.

Fuel and Propulsion System6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

04V428000Reported September 1, 2004 - 100,432 vehicles potentially affected

Equipment. Recall covering the equipment system, reported to NHTSA on September 1, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 100,432 vehicles across all affected models.

16V458000Reported June 23, 2016 - 194,674 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on June 23, 2016. The campaign covers an estimated 194,674 vehicles across all affected models.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

200218

200316

200419

20058

200616

200710

20089

20098

20109

20119

20123

20131

20143

20151

20166

20175

20182

20191

20202

20211

20221

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.