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Research · Small Station Wagons · 2 NHTSA variants

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer SportbackRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 98 owner complaints for the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback. Most complaints involve engine (22) and electrical system (19). The EPA rates it 20–23 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
20–23mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest May 2020
Owner complaints
98
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Structure: frame and members

Free remedy

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Sportback, 2008-2013 Outlander, and 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.

StructureReported May 18, 2020NHTSA 20V279000

Engine and engine cooling: belts and associated pulleys

Free remedy

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Lancer, Lancer Evolution, and Outlander; 2009-2011 Lancer Sportback, Lancer Rilliart, and Lancer Sportback Ralliart; and 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles. The affected vehicles, manufactured with 4B1 engines, have an engine pulley and belt arrangement for turning the alternator, the cooling fan and the power steering pump (if equipped). These pulleys may experience unusual wear and allow for belt detachment.

Engine and engine coolingReported Sep 12, 2014NHTSA 14V562000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

98 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2009 – Oct 2023
  1. Engine22
  2. Electrical system19
  3. Power train14
  4. Exterior lighting13
  5. Service brakes9
  6. Air bags8
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic8
  8. Suspension6
  9. Structure6

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Lancer Sportback model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20048
200998
201056
20133
201416
Crashes reported
11
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
10
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

22 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND OVERHEAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FROM WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. THE MECHANIC GAVE HER A $200 REIMBURSEMENT TOWARDS THE REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURES RECURRED SOON AFTER, INCLUDING SHAKING AND JERKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED AN ENTIRE NEW ENGINE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 18V069000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), 14V562000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), AND 12E012000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALLS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE RECALLS OR THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 3, 2019Exterior lighting, EngineODI 11265899

Electrical system

19 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated while driving at night, the low-beam headlights turned off and turned on independently, causing a visibility hazard for the driver. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V232000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 110,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 2, 2023Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11536104

Power train

14 reports1 crash1 fire
“The car started to slow down on its own even when my foot was on the gas it wouldn’t pick up speed over 20mph then it started to over heat, then smoke. It sounded like sparks like from a firecracker and smelt like something was burning to the point I had to pull over and turn the car off so my children and I could get out and breathe. When I restarted it turned on but would not drive when put into gear. I had it towed and the next day I tried again only this time the battery was dead and nothing was left on in the car I couldn’t understand how this happened so I bought a new battery put it in and it started still wouldn’t move though so I gave it a few days went to try again and the new battery was dead like something was draining all the power.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 15, 2023Power train, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11521960
All 2009 Lancer Sportback problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Station Wagons
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Manual 5-spd · Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Lancer Sportback
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212723$2,700386
Lancer Sportback
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202722$2,850404
Lancer Sportback
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172520$3,850444
  • Lancer Sportback
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 27 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Lancer Sportback
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Lancer Sportback
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,850/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 5335
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2009 Lancer Sportback questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback problems?

Owners filed 98 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (22), electrical system (19), power train (14). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback at 20–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026