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Research · Compact Cars

2009 Mitsubishi LancerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 121 owner complaints for the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer. Most complaints involve power train (31) and engine (24). The EPA rates it 20–25 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
20–25mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
8campaigns
Latest May 2020
Owner complaints
121
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

8 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. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Lancer, 2008-2012 Outlander, 2010-2012 Lancer Sportback, and 2011-2012 Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with either a 4B11 or 4B12 engine. The drive belt automatic tensioner flange may crack, allowing the accessory drive belt to detach.

Engine and engine coolingReported Jan 26, 2018NHTSA 18V069000

Visibility: sun

Free remedy

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Outlander, 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Evolution, and 2010 Lancer Sportback vehicles equipped with sunroofs. The sunroof glass may detach from the sunroof assembly, becoming a road hazard to other vehicles.

VisibilityReported Jan 26, 2018NHTSA 18V071000
See all 8 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 5, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

121 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2009 – Oct 2023
  1. Power train31
  2. Engine24
  3. Electrical system19
  4. Exterior lighting13
  5. Service brakes9
  6. Air bags9
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic8
  8. Suspension7
  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 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2002155
2003311
200483
200524
200637
20072
200891
2009121
201085
201149
201223
20135
201423
201526
201630
20176
Crashes reported
11
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
10
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 5, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

31 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

Engine

24 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
All 2009 Lancer problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 5, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl · 2.4L 4-cyl · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · 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 5, 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
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223025$2,550355
Lancer
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
222824$2,700370
Lancer
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212723$2,800386
Lancer
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212823$2,800386
Lancer
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172520$4,000444
  • Lancer
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    22 city · 30 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Lancer
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    22 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Lancer
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 27 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Lancer
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 28 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Lancer
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    17 city · 25 hwy · $4,000/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 5, 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 as of Nov 5, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 5, 2026Vehicle 5176
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 questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer have?

8 safety recalls as of Nov 5, 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 problems?

Owners filed 121 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (31), engine (24), electrical system (19). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer at 20–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 5, 2026