2002 Mitsubishi Lancer Problems & Complaints

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 aware of the failure but informed the contact that the sunroof part was no longer manufactured and they were unable to get the part to perform the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 221,660.

SMOG STATION INSPECTION REPORT ;; RECALL ONREPROGRAM PCM AND REPLACE FAN CONTROLLER

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 HAD JUST HAD 4 NEW TIRES PUT ON IT RECENTLY AND THEY USED A CAR LIFT WITHOUT ANY ISSUES. I WOULD LIKE THE PART REPLACED BECAUSE NOW I'M WORRIED ABOUT THE DEFECT CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF IT IS NOT REPLACED. THE REASON IT IS BEING RECALLED IS BECAUSE IT IS PRONE TO RUST AND MAY DETERIORATE OVER TIME AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT.

FRONT LOWER ENGINE SUPPORT & CRADLE ARE RUSTED OUT ALONG WITH THE CROSS MEMBER. I CAN FURNISH PICTURES IF NECESSARY.

THERE'S A LOT OF POPING UNDERNEATH FRONT END AND THERE'S A RECALL AL ON THE CONTROL ARMS

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST MITSUBISHI THAT HAS DONE THIS. MY EX'S 2000 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE ALSO HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT REGISTER. I NEED TO KNOW HOW FAST I AM GOING.

TAKATS RECALL .MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBERSR-16-003

CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVERHEATING EMISSIONS RECALL. SECOND IS THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE SURFACES OF THE FRONT CROSS MEMBERS USED ON CERTAIN VEHICLES. IT WAS A RECALL ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVERHEATING. I NEED TO GET MY CAR FIX.

BRAKES LOCKED UP AND SUBFRAME SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING. FOUND OUT RECENTLY THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR.

MY HUSBAND WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND OVER CORRECTED HIT AN EMBANKMENT AND A TREE AND THIS PUSHED HIM BACK INTO THE ROAD AND SPIN SHOOTING HIM INTO ANOTHER EMBANKMENT AND THIS RESULTED IN HIM BEING FORCED BACKWARDS AND INTO ANOTHER DITCH ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD HITTING A MAILBOX AND ANOTHER DITCH. THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED AND THE SEAT BROKE AS IF HE WAS LAYING DOWN TO SLEEP BUT IT WAS BROKE INTO THIS POSITION. HE HIT HIS FACE ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND INJURED HIS EYE SOME HOW AND THE HOSPITAL SAID THAT IT WAS DUE TO THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING. WHY DID HIS SEAT GET THROWED BACK LIKE THAT AND BREAK PLEASE EXPLAIN. I COULD HAVE LOST MY HUSBAND..

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR MY VEHICLE JANUARY 2017. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AT TRANSITTOWNE MITSUBISHI AT 7428 TRANSIT RD. WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. 14221. THEY DO NOT ANSWER THEIR PHONE OR EMAILS.

RECALL INFO: "THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE SURFACES OF THE FRONT CROSS MEMBERS USED ON CERTAIN VEHICLES IF EXPOSED LONG TERM TO SNOW MELT WATER AND ANTI-FREEZING AGENTS MAY CORRODE DUE TO INSUFFICIENT PERFORMANCE OF THE RUST PROTECTION. SHOULD CORROSION OCCUR, A LOWER CONTROL ARM COULD BECOME DETACHED RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND POTENTIAL COLLISION. IN MAY 2016 WE HAD TO HAVE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM REPLACED ALONG WITH THE FRONT SWAY BARK LINK ASSEMBLY." I BELIEVE THIS IS ALL PART OF THE CORROSION MENTIONED ABOVE IN THE RECALL. CAR WAS MOVING WHEN LOWER CONTROL ARM BECAME DETACHED. $285.00 TO REPLACE LOWER CONTROL ARM & FRONT SWAY BAR LINK. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000 (SUSPENSION) IN AUGUST. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

FUEL TANK IS LEAKING FROM THE SEAM. MOST OF THE FUEL IS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DIRECTLY ABOVE THE EXHAUST PIPE. FUEL CAN BE SMELLED ALL AROUND THE VEHICLE AND INSIDE THE CAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE RPM'S IDLED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

SLAVE CYLINDER INTERNAL AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE INTERNAL SLAVE CYLINDERS IN THESE MODEL YEARS BEFORE MITSUBISHI REALIZED THEY NEEDED TO MAKE THEM EXTERNAL. HAVING TO REPLACE THEM IS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE AND REQUIRES NEW CLUTCH, PRESSURE PLATE AND ALL OTHER COMPONENTS BECAUSE OF THE FLUID THE CYLINDER LEAKS ALL OVER THE INSIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION. THEY SHOULD RECALL THESE IF THEY EXPECT PEOPLE TO CONTINUE BUYING THEIR VEHICLES. I FOR ONE WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER MITSUBISHI BECAUSE THE ONLY RECAP THEY HAVE ACTUALLY SENT ME WAS FOR THE CONTROL ARMS THAT I ALREADY REPLACED ON MY OWN BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH THEY SENT ME THE RECALL THEY ALSO NOTED ON THERE THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR ANY DEALERSHIP AT THIS POINT. VERY AGGRAVATED WITH THIS COMPANY AND THINK THEY SHOULD TREAT OWNERS AND OUR SAFETY AS A HIGHER PRIORITY. THIS SLAVE CYLINDER ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT COME OUT OF GEAR BECAUSE ALL THE FLUID WAS BEING SQUIRTED INTO THE REST OF THE CLUTCH COMPONENTS. VERY DISAPPOINTED AND WISHING I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NOW. TAKE BETTER CARE OF YOUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS AND OUR SAFETY MITSUBISHI OR YOU WILL KEEP LOSING THEM ONE BY ONE. IT IS AN EASY FIX FOR YOU TO RECALL THESE INTERNAL JUNK SLAVE CYLINDERS AND EITHER REPLACE THEM AT THE VERY LEAST OR EVEN CONVERT THEM TO EXTERNAL LIKE YOU DID A YEAR OR TWO AFTER YOU OBVIOUSLY REALIZED YOUR MISTAKE AND BAD IDEA.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK. BOTH THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND THE STEERING WHEEL FELL OFF. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WAS ABLE TO PUT IT BACK ON BUT HAD TO PRESS HARD TO KEEP IT IN PLACE MY MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO REATTACH IT BUT HAD TO DISABLE THE AIR BAG AND NOW COST $700 FOR A NEW STEERING COLUMN AIR BAG AND HORN. I SEE OTHER COMPLAINTS AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT MY OPTIONS ARE REGARDING THIS IS THIS SOMETHING BEING REVIEWED OR A RECALL. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED.

WAS GOING TO THE GAS STATION TO GET GAS AND CAR ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN. THEN ENGINE SEIZED. THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING THEN. RAN INTO A DITCH. CAR STARTED SMOKING FROM ENGINE. I DIDN'T KNOW THERE WERE RECALLS ON THESE CARS OR I WOULDN'T HAVE BOUGHT ONE. BIGGEST PAIN I'VE EVER OWNED! THE ENGINE IS WRECKED. I SPENT A LOT OF MONEY ON THIS CAR. I HAVE NO CAR NOW, WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO? *TR

GAS TANK FILLER TUBE IS LEAKING GAS, HARD TO FILL, SETS OFF THE SERVICE LIGHT.

THE KNOBS TO CONTROL THE HEATING AND DEFOGGING IS BROKEN. IT HAS BEEN UNUSUALLY COLD IN GEORGIA THIS WINTER AND THE DEFOGGERS ONLY EMIT COLD AIR. I HAVE TO DRIVE THE CAR EARLY IN THE MORNING AROUND 6:10AM AND I WARM THE CAR BEFORE MY 7YR. GETS IN. NOW WE HAVE TO HAVE BLANKETS FOR HER BECAUSE THE CAR NEVER WARMS UP! MY SISTER LIVES HERE TOO AND HAS THE SAME PROBLEM ON HER 2003 LANCER. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THE KNOBS THEY ARE POORLY MANUFACTURED. THANK GOD I DON'T LIVE IN CHICAGO OR BUFFALO, WE COULD LITERALLY FREEZE TO DEATH IN OUR CAR, JUST DRIVING AROUND! I TRIED TO SUPER GLUE THEM BACK TOGETHER, BUT I SEE THEIR IS WHAT LOOKS LIKE A MOTHER BOARD BEHIND THE KNOBS AND MAYBE THE CONNECTION WAS LOST WHEN THE TWO KNOBS BROKE. I HAVE HAD A MECHANIC CHECK THE HEATING COOL AND THE THERMOSTAT AND HE SUGGESTED GOING ONLINE FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS. I DID TO KNOW AVAIL, MITSUBISHI DOES NOT OFFER REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR THE KNOBS, SO WHAT DO I DO? I HOPE MITSUBISHI DOES SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, BECAUSE THIS IS TO NO FAULT OF THE OWNER THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THE KNOBS THEY ARE POOR QUALITY AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. I LOVE THE LANCER IT HAS SERVED ME WELL OVER THE YEAR AND I WILL CONTINUE TO DRIVE THEM. THANK YOU FOR ATTENTION IN THIS MATTER. *TR

VARIABLE TEMPERATURE KNOB/SHAFT BROKE ON HEATER/A/C CONTROL MODULE BECAUSE IT WAS HARD TO TURN. ALWAYS WAS HARD TO TURN SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASE 4 YEARS AGO. MAKES DEFOGGING OF WINDOWS MORE DIFFICULT AND HAS CAUSED VISIBILITY PROBLEMS IN CERTAIN TYPES OF DAMP CONDITIONS. BAD DESIGN WHICH MITSUBISHI SHOULD FIX. *TR

TO AVOID CONTACT WITH A DEER I HIT THE BRAKES SLIDING INTO A UTILITY POLE CAUSING SIGNIFICANT FRONT END DAMAGE TO VEHICLE NO AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED. *TR

THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER CONTROL KNOB WAS HARD TO TURN FROM THE MOMENT WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW. IT HAS SINCE BROKE OFF. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BECAUSE IT IS A FACTORY DEFECT. *TR

I HAVE PURCHASED THIS CAR AS A SECOND OWNER AS I WAS TOLD. THE TRANSMISSION WAS ACTING FUNNY AT FIRST AND I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS NORMAL BECAUSE THE CAR WAS SITTING FOR A WHILE. THE CAR HAD ONLY 115,000 MILES WHEN PURCHASED, THE REASON I BOUGHT IT WITH LOW MILES AND APPEARANCE. LAST WEEK WHEN IT WAS DRIVEN, THE CAR ACTED EVEN FUNNIER UNTIL IT STALLED: THE CAR WILL NOT ENGAGE IN ANY FORWARD GEARS, IT WILL ONLY ENGAGE IN THE REVERSE GEAR. AFTER RESEARCHING THE FACT, I WAS TOLD BY MANY SOURCES THAT THE 2002-2005 LANCERS HAD A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS IN MANY WAYS. I NEED TO KNOW IF THAT'S TRUE AND WHAT COULD BE DONE ESPECIALLY AFTER I LOOKED AT THE BLOGS ABOUT WHAT'S SO NAMED " LANCERS". IT WILL BE A SHAME FOR A MANUFACTURER TO RELEASE A CAR IN THE MARKET WITH SUCH PROBLEM. *TR

MY 2002 LANCERS TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB BROKE THIS MORNING WHILE I WAS TRYING TO ENGAGE THE HEAT PORTION OF THE TEMPERATURE GAGE TO DEFROST MY WINDSHIELD. I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH ON HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE LANCER. IF THIS IS SUCH A COMMON ISSUE, MITSUBISHI SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND ISSUE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL ON THE SYSTEM TO FIX IT. NOW I HAVE NO HEAT IN THE WINTER AND THE DEALER WANTS $1000+ TO FIX THE SYSTEM THAT WAS NEVER ENGINEERED PROPERLY. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER AND THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB IN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO TURN SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE KNOB BROKE OFF TWO WEEKS AGO. I CONTACTED MY DEALER WHO STATED THAT I CAN NOT JUST CHANGE THE KNOB I HAVE TO CHANGE THE WHOLE UNIT WHICH WILL COST ME AROUND $ 600.00 PLUS SERVICES FEES TO INSTALL IT. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM, SINCE HEATING (AND COOLING) A VEHICLE ALLOWS IT TO BE OPERABLE DURING HOT AND COLD TEMPERATURES. IT IS NOW BEGINNING TO GET COLD. *TR

THIS IS A COMPLAINT I HAVE SEEN ON OTHER WEBSITES FROM THOUSANDS OF OTHER MITSUBISHI LANCERS FROM 2000- 2005, BUT MAINLY IN THE 2002 MODEL RANGE. THE HEATER/AIR CONDITIONER CONTROLS SEIZE UP AND EITHER THE CABLE FREEZES UP AND THE CONTROL KNOB SNAPS OFF ON THE TEMPERATURE CONTROLS. TO ME THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN NOT NECESSARILY FOR THE USE OF THE VEHICLE, BUT RATHER FOR THE HEALTH OF THE DRIVER AND THOSE WHO RIDE IN THE VEHICLE. THEY COULD FREEZE IN THE WINTER OR GET HEAT STROKE IN THE SUMMER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE METAL RAILING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS HOME. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THE VEHICLE DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. RVK

OWN A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER, CODE P0421, SHOWED AFTER FAILURE OF EMISSIONS TEST. I CALLED MITSUBISHI MOTORS AFTER FINDING THIS CODE WAS FOR A RECALL IN AUG. 05 EMR-05-001/003, AN EMISSION RECALL ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, "MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED DAMAGE TO THE WARM-UP CAT CONVERTER AND SUBSEQUENT ILLUMINATION OF THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP." MITSUBISHI INFORMED ME THIS RECALL WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY RECALL TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BUT THAT IT EXPIRED IN 2006, ALSO, THAT IT EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 8 YRS OR 100,000 MI. I EXPLAINED TO THEM I HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALLS ON THIS CAR. THEY INFORMED ME IT WAS MY FAULT FOR NOT INFORMING THEM I WAS THE OWNER, SO I COULD BE NOTIFIED. HOWEVER, NHTSA SAYS OWNERS ARE NOTIFIED THROUGH REGISTRATION RECORDS. THEY LATER STATED THEY HAD SENT ME A RECALL NOTICE IN AUG. 2005. I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON ANY OF THE THREE RECALLS FOR MY CAR. THIS CAR HIT 100,000 MI ON 5/10/2008 WHICH WAS BEFORE THE 8YR LIMIT. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY STARTED TO FLASH 2/5/2010, AT 122592 MILES, STILL BEFORE THE 8YR LIMIT. WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE GAS CAP NOT SCREWED ON ALL THE WAY BECAUSE IT DIDN'T ILLUMINATE CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL 06/2011. MITSUBISHI HAS REFUSED TO REPLACE THE CAT, BECAUSE THE CAR IS NOW OVER 100,000 MILES AND THE 8YR LIMIT, OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. WE HAVE PERFORMED A TUNE-UP OF THE ENGINE, OIL CHANGE, BELT REPLACEMENT, VALVE GASKET REPLACEMENT, AND FLUID FLUSH TO HELP REMEDY THE SITUATION. THE FAN CONTROL, AND PCM REFLASH WERE PERFORMED PER THE OTHER TWO RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE. *TR

FUEL FILLER PIPE AND LEVELER VALVE NEEDS TO BE REPALCED DUE TO SMALL LEAK POSSIBLE CRACKED CAUSES PO456 CODE MIL. *TR

MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT TURNED ON AND I WENT TO AUTO ZONE AND GOT A CODE : P0421 OEM BRAND: DOMESTIC DEFINITION: CATALYST EFFICIENCY LOW BANK 1 EXPLANATION: THE OXYGEN SENSORS MONITOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ABILITY TO STORE OXYGEN. PROBABLE CAUSES: 1- CATALYTIC CONVERTER DEFECTIVE (FAILURE POSSIBLY DUE TO #2, 3, OR 4.) 2- ENGINE MISFIRE OR RUNNING CONDITION. 3- LARGE VACUUM LEAK. 4- ENGINE OIL LEAKAGE INTO EXHAUST-VALVE GUIDE SEALS, PISTON RINGS. I CALLED MITSU AND THEY SAID SINCE MY CAR IS AT 93500 THAT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED...THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY....MY CAR IS NOT ACCELERATING AS IT WAS SUPPOSE TOO...ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM....AFTER 90 MILES...THIS IS RIDICULOUS. *TR

MY SLAVE CYLINDER FAILED DUE TO LEAKAGE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. AS I WAS DRIVING UPHILL AND TRIED TO SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR THE CLUTCH PEDAL JUST WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR AND MY CAR GOT STUCK IN NEUTRAL. ITS COSTING ME 1000 DOLLARS TO FIX IT. THERE IS A TSB OUT ON THIS PROBLEM AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HASN'T BEEN MADE A RECALL YET??? IT LOOKS LIKE A QUITE COMMON PROBLEM FOR PEOPLE AND A COSTLY ONE AT THAT. VERY UNFAIR THAT WE ARE HAVING TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS WHEN THIS WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DEFROSTER/HEATER CONTROL MECHANISM FRACTURED AT THE TOUCH WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER/HEATER CONTROL MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 114,000.

THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB ON THE CLIMATE CONTROL MODULE BROKE. THE LIKELY CAUSE WAS BINDING OF THE CABLE THAT IS CONTROLLED BY THE KNOB. THIS COULD BE DUE TO POOR ROUTING OF THE CABLE OR THE MECHANISM THAT THE CABLE IS ATTACHED. THE COST OF REPAIRING THIS DESIGN DEFECT RANGES FROM $500-1000 AT THE DEALER. *LN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLIMATE CONTROL KNOB HAD BROKEN. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO USE THE HEAT OR DEFROST OPTION AS A RESULT. THE CONTACT HAD NOTICED THAT THE KNOB WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENTIRE CLIMATE CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 580,000.

1) THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER 130,000 MILES. HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND IT REQUIRED A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER. 2) THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB BROKE OFF. IT SEEMS LIKE BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS ARE COMMON IN MITSUBISHI LANCERS. *TR

THE HVAC CONTROL UNIT IN MY 02 MITSUBISHI LANCER HAS A MECHANICAL FLAW STARTING WITH THE HEAT /AC KNOBS. THE VACUUM LINE BEHIND THE KNOB IS TOO WEAK TO ACTIVATE THE HEATER CORE LEVER AND DEFROST CONTROLS MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE WHEN DRIVING. THE SYSTEM AS A WHOLE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BY MITSUBISHI AS I HAVE READ THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS IN FORUMS AROUND THE WEB.THE DEFROST ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DOESN'T WORK BECAUSE OF THESE CONTROLS AND VISIBILITY IS REALLY POOR DURING FALL AND WINTER MONTHS AND THIS IS SOMETHING I CANT FIX MYSELF AND I AM POSTING TO HELP OTHER LANCER DRIVERS AS WELL AS IT IS A PERSISTENT UNDERLYING PROBLEM. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER AND THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB IN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO TURN SINCE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND HAS SINCE DETERIORATED. THE KNOB BROKE OFF TWO WEEKS AGO. I CONTACTED MY DEALER WHO STATED THAT I CAN NOT JUST CHANGE THE KNOB I HAVE TO CHANGE THE WHOLE UNIT WHICH WILL COST ME AROUND $ 400.00 PLUS SERVICES FEES TO INSTALL IT. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM, SINCE HEATING (AND COOLING) A VEHICLE ALLOWS IT TO BE OPERABLE DURING HOT AND COLD TEMPERATURES. IT IS NOW BEGINNING TO GET COLD. I HAVE SEARCHON THE INTERNET FOR A CHEAPER TEMPERATURE CONTROL UNIT BUT HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE SLAVE CYLINDER ON MY 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THIS HAPPEN AND I COULD NO LONGER GET MY CAR TO GO INTO GEAR. I HAD TO GET OVER FROM THE LEFT LANE OF TRAFFIC TO THE SHOULDER OF THE RIGHT LANE WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO ACCELERATE BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. I HAD TO CUT OTHER DRIVERS OFF AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE SLAVE CYLINDER LEAKED BRAKE FLUID ALL OVER THE CLUTCH AND NOW THAT HAS TO BE REPLACED TOO. MITSUBISHI KNEW THIS WAS A PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY CHANGED THE DESIGN IN 2004. I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM FROM OTHERS WHO HAVE THE SAME CAR. *TR

DEFECTIVE CAT. RECALL IS STILL OPEN BUT MITSUBISHI REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. DEALERS ARE INSTRUCTED TO CLEAR THE CODE (REFLASH PCM) BUT LIGHT WILL COME BACK BECAUSE DEFECTIVE CAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS THE ORIGINAL CAUSE OF THE RECALL. VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRENTY, SO THE WILL NOT REPLACE THE CAT. IF THE CAT WAS STILL UNDER WARRENTY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, THEY WOULD REPLACE IT. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS AND NEVER RECIEVED THE RECALL NOTICE. WE HAVE SPENT A FORTUNE TRYING TO GET THE LIGHT OFF IN ORDER TO GET THROUGH INSPECTION, NOT KNOWING OF THE SOURCE AND THE RECALL. WHAT IS THE POINT OF THE RECALL IF THEY DON'T FIX THE PROBLEM? THEY JUST COVER IT UP BY REFLASHING THE COMPUTER. THE FACT IS, OUR CAR HAS A DEFECTIVE CAT. WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL. WE CANNOT PASS INSPECTION WITHOUT REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE CAT THAT CAUSED A RECALL.VEHICLE'S ENGINE OVER-COMPENSATES FOR BAD O2 READING CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION. MITSUBISHI REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH; APPROACHED A TRAFFIC STOP LIGHT. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV; AND VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. DURING BRAKING THERE WAS DIFFICULTY TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,120. UPDATED 11/16/10. *LJ

I OWN A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER (OZ RALLY) THAT WAS PURCHASED IN 2002. DURING THE LAST FEW MONTHS OF 2009, I NOTICED MY TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB WAS BECOMING HARDER AND HARDER TO TURN. ON MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2010 IT BROKE COMPLETELY OFF, LEAVING A PARTIAL STUB OF PLASTIC IN THE CONSOLE AND THE REMAINING PLASTIC INSIDE THE KNOB. I FIRST WENT TO TWO AUTO PARTS STORES TO SEE IF THEY CARRIED THIS REPLACEMENT PIECE, AND THEIR PERSONNEL INFORMED ME I NEEDED TO HAVE IT REPAIRED A MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP. I THEN WENT TO THE MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY INFORMED ME THE PART COULD NOT BE REPLACED INDIVIDUALLY, BUT IT WOULD COST $311 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE CONSOLE IN ADDITION TO THE $150 OR MORE IN LABOR COSTS. I REFUSED TO PAY SUCH AN OUTLANDISH PRICE, CONSIDERING THAT MY CONSOLE WAS IN PERFECTLY WORKING ORDER. I ONLY NEED THE BROKEN PLASTIC MECHANISM REPLACED, NOTHING MORE. AND PAYING APPROXIMATELY $500 TO REPLACE A PLASTIC PIECE IS RIDICULOUS. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH, I REALIZED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH OTHER LANCER OWNERS AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE INFORMED OF THIS DEFECT. *TR

TEMP CONTROL KNOB BROKE, NOT ABLE TO USE HEATER IN THE WINTER AND AIR CONDITIONER IN THE SUMMER. MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP ADVISED WOULD COST APPROX $900 AND THEY DID NOT WANT TO DEAL WITH IT. TOO MANY COMPLAINTS W/KNOB ON MITSUBISHI LANCERS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO AN INCOMPLETE RECALL REPAIR PERTAINING TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NO LONGER LIABLE FOR ANY FAILURES ON THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE MILEAGE EXCEEDED 150,000, WHICH EXCLUDED THE VEHICLE FROM QUALIFYING FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE "RECALL" WAS NOT FOUND ON THE SAFERCAR.GOV WEBSITE AND MAY HAVE BEEN DEEMED AS A "SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN" INSTEAD. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 133,847.

FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW, MY WIFE'S CAR HAS HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE HEAT CONTROL. AS I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH DUE TO IT COMPLETELY BREAKING, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH MANY CARS LIKE THIS ONE. I FEEL THAT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AN NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED MY MITSUBISHI. IN THE BEGGINGING IT WAS AN ISSUE DUE TO PAYING ATTENTION TO THE KNOB THAT WAS HARD TO TURN WHILE DRIVING TRYING TO GET HEAT OR DEFROST. THEN WHEN THE KNOB BROKE IT WAS TRYING TO TURN THE PIECE OF KNOB WITH PLIERS WHILE DRIVING AND NOW IT WILL BE TRYING TO DRIVE WITH A FROZEN WINDOW IF WE DO NOT GET IT FIXED. I DON'T THINK THAT IT SHOULD COME OUT OF THE CONSUMERS POCKET IF IT HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM IN MANY OF THESE CARS. IT IS ALSO A SAFTEY ISSUE FOR THE PERSON IN THE CAR AS WELL AS OTHERS ON THE ROAD DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF THE DRIVER BEING DISTRACTED. ANY FEEDBACK WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR

THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB IN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO TURN SINCE PURCHASE AND HAS SINCE DETERIORATED. THE KNOB BROKE OFF YESTERDAY RESULTING IN THE TEMPERATURE SETTINGS TO NO LONGER BE OPERABLE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM, SINCE HEATING (AND COOLING) A VEHICLE ALLOWS IT TO BE OPERABLE DURING STORMS AND DEEP FREEZE TEMPERATURES. *TR

THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB HAS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND IT FINALLY BROKE OFF RESULTING IN A VERY EXPENSIVE $1000 REPLACEMENT. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCERS AND IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN SINCE FOG AND ICE ON THE WINDOW CANNOT BE CLEARED WHEN THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL IS STUCK IN THE COLD POSITION. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED SINCE IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHICH UNCORRECTED WILL HAVE PEOPLE DRIVING CARS WITH FOGGED UP WINDOWS WITH NO WAY TO CLEAR IT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO AVOID A CRASH. SHE CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE AND HER VEHICLE WENT AIRBORNE AND LANDED ON TOP OF ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES AND CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO SHATTER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES TO THE LUNGS, NECK TRAUMA, AND IMPALED GLASS IN HER HANDS AND LEGS. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE TWO PARKED VEHICLES SUSTAINED MODERATE DAMAGES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 03/14/10 *BF UPDATED 09/23/10 UPDATED 10/03/10 *BF UPDATED 11/03/10*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 247,000. UPDATED 03/09/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED BEFORE THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED SHE DIDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER UNNECESSARY REPAIRS TO HER VEHICLE AND WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT. UPDATED 03/11/09. *JB

CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER WENT BAD I WAS STOCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY NOT ABLE TO SHIFT INTO GEARS. VERY COSTLY REPAIR FORCED ME TO REPLACE CLUTCH PLUS THE CYLINDER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL FAILURES REGARDING THE BRAKE SYSTEM. WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, SHE HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY TIGHTENED THE SUSPENSION STEERING. ONE YEAR LATER, WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKES BEGAN TO SQUEAK AND FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY FOUND NO FAILURES WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM. TWO YEARS LATER, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND THEY STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES HAD A TEN PERCENT LOSS IN BRAKING POWER. THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED. SIX MONTHS LATER, WHILE BACKING UP THE VEHICLE, SHE HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY RESURFACED BOTH REAR DRUMS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY; THEREFORE, NO REPAIRS WERE MADE UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,840 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000. UPDATED 12/22/08 *CN UPDATED 12/29/08. *JB

1/ AT ABOUT 207000 MILES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALERS DIAGNOSIS AND 2 OTHER REPAIR SHOPS : CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS TO BE REPLACED. COST FOR THIS JOB: $ 1500. I DID NOT REPLACE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND WAS PERFORMING NORMALLY. THIS HAPPENED FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE, THAT CATALYTIC CONVERTER GIVES UP DURING THE LIFE OF THE CAR. 2/ AT 246,570 MILES WHILE VEHICLE WAS ON, WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. DEALERS DIAGNOSIS: CAR NEEDS CLUTCH ASSEMBLY AND RESURFACE FLYWHEEL AND CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER. COST FOR THIS REPAIR: ABOUT 1,200 PLUS TAX AGAIN 1ST TIME HAPPENED TO ME THAT CAR NEEDS CLUTCH ASSEMBLY WORK WITH SLAVE CYLINDER DURING THE LIVE OF THE CAR. 4/ WHILE THEY CHECKED THE CAR FOR GEAR PROBLEM THEY RECOMMENDED TO ME TO REPLACE TIMING BELT: COST $ 723 PLUS TAX AND REPLACING VALVE COVER GASKET: COST $ 264 PLUS TAX I BELIEVE THEY RIPPING PEOPLE OFF, BECAUSE WHILE REPLACING TIMING BELT THEY HAVE TO REMOVE VALVE COVER AND THEY SHOULD NOT CHARGE 2X FOR REMOVING VALVE COVER. THIS WAS ESTIMATED BY MITSUBISHI-MAZDA DEALERSHIP IN SAN BERNARDINO, CA. I'M QUESTIONING THEIR PRICES AND ABILITY TO PROPERLY DIAGNOSE AND DO THIS REPAIRS BASED ON THE STATEMENTS THEY MADE AND THEIR PRICES. AFTER EVERY TIME THIS CAR IS SERVICED AT MITSUBISHI DEALER THIS CAR HAVE MORE PROBLEMS: SCREWS MISSING, BROKEN PARTS, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON. I NEED FROM MITSUBISHI MOTOR OF NORTH AMERICA INC. LIST OF GOOD REPAIR FACILITIES WHERE THE CAR CAN BE REPAIRED NOT SABOTAGED, WHERE THEY HAVE KNOWLEDGEABLE TECHNICIAN NOT MONKEYS. I HAD A FEW CARS, BUT NEVER HAPPENED THAT CATALYTIC CONVERTER OR CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DURING THE LIFE OF THE CAR, OR I HAD TO SPENT FEW THOUSAND OF $$ FOR REPAIRS WHILE MAINTAINING THE CAR PROPERLY DURING IT'S LIFE. *TR

AC HEATER KNOB BROKE OFF CAUSING A 1,000 DOLLARS IN DAMAGE ON A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER. OTHER CUSTOMERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM BUT MITSUBISHI WILL NOT BACK THERE PROBLEM. I THINK THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS PART AND FIX THE PROBLEM. MITSUBISHI CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID THEY WILL NOT RECALL BECAUSE IT IS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN. I THINK IT IS BECAUSE MOST OF THE CONTROLS BREAK OFF ON A/C AND THAT WOULD NOT BE FUN DRIVING IN A BLIZZARD WITH YOUR A/C ON IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER. I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON FIGHTING FOR A RECALL OTHER CUSTOMERS ARE TO. *TR

THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CHANGE FROM HOT TO COLD. IT SEEMS TO STICK AT ONE TEMPERATURE IN THE MIDDLE POSITION. *TR

I DRIVE A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER OZ RALLY AND OUT OF NOWHERE I LOST ALL RESISTANCE IN THE CLUTCH AND WAS STRANDED WITH A BLOWN SLAVE CYLINDER. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

I WAS IN MY 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER AND WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35-40 MILES AN HOUR AND HIT A YUKON HEAD ON. MY CAR IS COMPLETELY CRUMPLED AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS IS THE SECOND MAJOR FRONT END ACCIDENT I HAVE HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE (THE PREVIOUS ONE IN 2002) AND BOTH TIMES, THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. NOTHING WAS DONE BY MITSUBISHI EITHER TIME TO CORRECT THE SITUATION. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO WALK AWAY FROM BOTH BUT I WORRY THAT OTHERS MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN TO THEM. *TR

FAILURE OF THE SLAVE CYLINDER 5 TIMES IN MY CAR TWICE IN 2005 TWICE IN 2006 TO 2007 AND ONCE PRESENTLY THIS PART IS UNBELIEVABLE HOW MANY TIME DO I HAVE TO CHANGE THIS ONE PART AND SPOKE TO A MITSUBISHI REP AND SAID THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME. 2002 MITSUBITSHI LANCER OZ EDITION. *TR

TEMPERATURE CONTROL ROTARY SWITCH VERY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE. CHANGE FROM HOT SIDE TO COLD SIDE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. I BELIEVE RECENTLY THAT IT FAILED BEHIND THE DASH AS IT CAN NOT BE SWITCHED TO THE HOT SIDE ANY MORE. HAVE NOT REPAIRED YET - WILL EXPECT TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE CABLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE CAN FILL UP HER GAS TANK ONE DAY AND, BEFORE THE WEEK IS OUT, THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE REFUELED. PERIODICALLY, THE CONTACT SMELLS GASOLINE IN HER VEHICLE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17.

CRANSKHAFT BOLT SHEARED OFF WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING ON ICY ROADS. THE INCIDENT ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, HARMONIC BALANCER, AND TIMING BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT A LOCAL AUTOMOBILE REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SHEARED BOLT WAS CLEARLY A DEFECTIVE PART. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET IDENTIFIED SEVERAL VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ISSUE INCLUDING RECALLS ON DIFFERENT MITSUBISHI MODELS AND THE SAME MODEL BUT WITH DIFFERENT MANUFACTURING DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS A 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT ES. *TR

PURCHASED CAR BRAND NEW IN 2002, DAILY DRIVER NOTHING SPECIAL. HAD TO REPLACE FULL CLUTCH ASSEMBLY IN 2004 DUE TO MASSIVE MECHANICAL FAILURE (COST 900$ OUT OF MY POCKET) NOT EVEN 1 YEAR LATER, CLUTCH FAILS AGAIN DUE TO MECHANICAL FAILURE (680$ TO REPAIR) NOW IN 2007 I AM LOOKING AT ANOTHER BUSTED CLUTCH, THE SLAVE OR MASTER CYLINDER GAVE OUT WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS CAR TO NEED A CLUTCH JOB 3 TIMES IN 4 YEARS...... *TR

AIR BAGS 2002 MITS . LANCER THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY MY CAR WAS HIT FROM THE REAR CAUSING IT TO HIT A CEMENT RETAINING WALL FROM THE FRONT AND SIDES AND NO AIR BAGS WENT OFF. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE SURGERIES FROM THE FAILED AIR BAGS. *TR

MY CAR STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE REAR AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR WAS ALSO HIT FROM THE SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

HEATER KNOB BREAKS OFF, CAUSING $1000 +/- REPAIR. MANY PEOPLE EXPERIENCING SAME ISSUE. *JB

1) I WAS DRIVING SOUTH DOWN THE ROAD AT 25-30 MPH, AND ANOTHER CAR WAS WAITING TO PULL OUT OF A PARKING LOT ON MY RIGHT, HE WAS GOING TO TURN LEFT (NORTH). - HE SAYS HE DIDN'T SEE ME AND PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND I T-BONED HIM. 2)HIS AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, BUT MINE DID NOT. THE ACCIDENT WAS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. 3) NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE, THE CAR IS GOING TO THE BODY SHOP TODAY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IDLED ABOVE THE NORMAL IDLE RATE. THE RPMS INCREASED, SIMILAR TO AS IF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IDLING WAS A RECURRING FAILURE THAT USUALLY TOOK PLACE AT LOWER SPEEDS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS CRANKED OR LOW ON FUEL THE AIR CONDITIONING POWERED ON AUTOMATICALLY. ALSO, THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AUTOMATICALLY WHEN IDLING, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. EXHAUST FUMES ENTERED THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STICKING ON OCCASION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 94000. *AK

WHEN I PURCHASED MY CAR TWO YEARS AGO, I REALIZED THAT THE HEATER CONTROL KNOB IN MY CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO MOVE. AFTER SPEAKING WITH MANY PEOPLE THAT OWN THE SAME VEHICLE AS MYSELF, I LEARNED THAT IN MANY CASES, THE KNOB TO THE CONTROL BREAKS, PREVENTING THE OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE TO SUCCESSFULLY CHANGE FROM COLD TO WARM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE PRIMARILY DUE TO THE DIFFICULTY TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD OF FROST. THERE IS NOTHING BEING DONE BY THE MANUFACTURER TO ALLEVIATE THIS PROBLEM (SUCH AS A RECALL) AND MANY DEALERSHIPS ARE ATTEMPTING TO CHARGE AROUND $1000 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, I HAD BELIEVED THE PRIOR OWNER HAD SIMPLY CAUSED THE KNOB TO MALFUNCTION DUE TO MISTREATMENT; HOWEVER, THIS BELIEF HAD NO WAY OF BEING TESTED SINCE I HAD NEVER SPOKEN TO THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER TALKING WITH MANY OWNERS OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE, I HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THIS A POTENTIAL SAFETY RISK FOR MANY PEOPLE, AND SHOULD PROMPTLY BE HANDLED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *NM

THE CLIMATE CONTROL KNOB ON MY 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER, WILL NOT TURN WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT EFFORT IT SEEMS LIKELY THAT THIS WILL CAUSE IT TO BREAK AT A LATER DATE. *NM

FILING A COMPLAINT THAT I'VE NOTICED TO BE OCCURRING A LITTLE TO OFTEN TO THE SAME BRAND/MODEL VEHICLE I OWN. I OWN A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THERE SEEMS TO BE A VERY WEAK LINK IN THE HEATER/AC CONTROLS IN THE CENTER CONSOLE. FOR SOME REASON, THEY TEND TO STICK UP AND UPON TURNING THEM THEY SEEM TO BREAK. MITSUBISHI IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND THEY ARE CHARGING AN EXTENSIVE AMOUNT OF MONEY TO REPAIR THIS ON EVERY OWNERS VEHICLE. THEY SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THIS ITEM SO IT CAN BE TAKEN CARE OF RIGHT AWAY. THE HEATING KNOBS ARE A NECESSITY FOR CLIMATE CONTROL IN THE CAR, ESPECIALLY FOR ME. I LIVE IN NY AND IT'S GETTING COLD. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR SUCH AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND I BELIEVE THAT NO ONE SHOULD. IF THERE'S FAULTY EQUIPMENT IN PLACE WHEN MANUFACTURED, MITSUBISHI SHOULD TAKE IT INTO THEIR OWN MATTERS AND REPAIR THE ISSUES BEFORE IT CAN LEAD TO ANY OTHER POSSIBLE DANGERS. *JB

2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER, 5 SPEED MANUAL. THE CAR IS A DAILY DRIVER, AND IS NEVER DRIVEN HARD. IT JUST TURNED 68,000 MILES. DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT TO A RESTAURANT, THE CAR MAKES A LOUD NOISE AND ROLLS TO A STOP. IT RESTARTS BUT WILL NOT GO ANYWHERE IN ANY GEAR. I LOST ALL GEARS. I HAD IT TOWED HOME, AND I SEE NOTHING OBVIOUS. I ENDED UP AT A TRANSMISSION SHOP WHERE I PAID TO HAVE IT TAKEN APART AND THEY FOUND THE TRANSMISSION ITSELF WAS OK, BUT THE AXLE SHAFT HAD BROKEN INSIDE OF IT. THE TRANSMISSION STILL HAD TO BE DISASSEMBLED TO RETRIEVE THE BROKEN PIECE. A NEW AXLE CANNOT BE FOUND FOR THIS CAR ANYWHERE BUT THE DEALER WHERE THEY WANTED 750.00. THE TRANSMISSION DIAGNOSIS WAS 300.00. PARTS I HAD TO REPLACE UPON REINSTALLING, WAS 488.00. I HAVE ALL DOCUMENTATION. I HAD TO BORROW AND RENT CARS FOR 10 DAYS UNTIL I HAD MY PARTS, OF COURSE THEY HAD BE ORDERED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE CLUTCH FELT AS IF IT HAD LOST PRESSURE. THIS CAUSED A HESITATION IN THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WORE OUT TOO QUICKLY. THE BRAKES HAD TO BE CHANGED 7 TIMES IN 5 YEARS DUE TO WEAR ON THE PADS. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S CLUTCH BURNED UP. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE DEALER TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE ISSUE.

I PURCHASED MY 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER IN 2001, IT HAD 7 MILES ON IT. IN THE YEARS SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THE CAR I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS 6 TIMES. IT NOW HAS 88,000 MILES ON IT. I PRETTY MUCH HAVE TO GET A NEW SET EVERY YEAR, AND THESE ARE THE EXPENSIVE LIFETIME PADS. I HAVE TURNED THE ROTORS TWICE AND ALREADY REPLACED THEM ONCE. WHEN TRYING TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS MY MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE BACK BREAKS HAD NEVER BEEN USED, THEY STILL HAD UNTOUCHED MANUFACTURER BRAKE PADS. SO THE BACK BREAKS HAD NEVER WORKED. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY DID LOOK AT THE CAR, THEY STATED THAT IT WAS SIMPLY AN ISSUE OF A DISCONNECTED LINE (AFTER I HAD BEEN DRIVING THE CAR FOR 4 YEARS). BUT THEN 6 MONTHS LATER I HAD TO CHANGE THE BRAKES YET AGAIN AFTER ONLY 5,000 MILES. ONCE AGAIN- THE BACK BREAKS WERE STILL UNTOUCHED. I CALLED THE DEALER ABOUT THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY UP FRONT FOR ANY INSPECTION OR REPAIRS SINCE MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF IMMEDIATELY AND IS A POTENTIAL SERIOUS DANGER, I HAVE YET TO CONTACT CORPORATE REGARDING THIS MATTER AS I HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY WOULD NOT INVOLVE THEMSELVES BY OTHER MITSUBISHI OWNERS. *NM

I WAS CONVINCED & SHOWN THAT MY BLOWER MOTER WAS WORKING IN TOP CONDITION. BUT ON MY RIDE HOME I WAS DISTURBED TO FIND THAT ONLY SPEED 4, AN OVERDRIVE MODE, WAS WORKING. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE I JUST BOUGHT THE LANCER ES 02', AND WAS TOLD THAT EVERTHING WOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF. [RECALL #C04092 FOR A FAN CONTROLLER REPLACEMENT HAD BEEN DONE 2/23/06 ALONG WITH RECALL #CO505J PCM REFLASH 4 DAYS PRIOR TO WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE] AT THE MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP I PAID $146.31 TO HAVE THE BLOWER RESISTER REPLACED, AND LATER REIMBURSED BY THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE I PUCHASED THE LANCER. THE BLOWER WORKED GOOD, THEN ON & OFF. IT BLEW AGAIN WITHIN A MONTH. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, WHERE I LEFT MESSAGES, NO RETURN. THEY WERE TO CONTACT ME, AND WERE NEVER TIMELY. AT THE SECONG DIAGNOSIS THE MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE BLOWER MOTOR WAS BAD, CAUSING THE RESISTOR TO GO $380.00! I WAS NOT ABOUT TO PAY THAT PRICE UPFRONT WITHOUT A GAURANTEE OF REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, WHO NOW CLAIMS IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP WHEN THEY THEMSELVES REIMBURSED ME THE FIRST TIME. BEYOND BOTH DENYING THE COST, THE MISUBISHI DEALERSHIP STRIPPED MY ALLOYS OF MOST OF THEIR CROME WHILE PROFORMING THEIR "COURTESY CAR WASH"!! WHILE CONVERSING WITH THE MANAGER FOR AN HOUR, HE CLAIMS THAT THE BRAND OF ALLOYS, ADAMS, WHICH WERE ON THE CAR WHEN PURCHASED, ARE KNOWN TO CRACK AND CHIP. THEY HANDED ME MY KEYS IN THE PARKING LOT AND LEFT ME WITH NO RECEIPT & NO COMPASSION. I LEFT THE MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP AFTER CALLING MY MOTHER & DROVE TO MY MECHANIC WHO HAD JUST DONE WORK ON MY CAR EARLIER THAT DAY. REPLACING THE RIGHT FRONT BEARING WHICH WAS AN OPEN BEARING WHICH LEAKED GREASE OUT AND STABILIZER END LINK- $403.03- ASTONISHED TO SEE MY RIMS, HE NOTICED RIGHT AWAY, AS I DID, I TOOK PICTURES IMIDIATELY, BUT WHO IS RESPONSIBLE I AM UNSURE. I HAVEN'T THE FINANCES, NOR THE PATIENTS, TO BE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF WHEN OTHERS ARE AT FAULT.

VEHICLE ACCELERATES ON IT'S OWN. I HAVE INFORMED MITSHUBISHI OF THE PROBLEM HOWEVER ACCORDING TO MITSHUBISHI THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM BY COMPUTER SO AS FAR AS THEY WERE CONCERNED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. I RECENTLY HAD AN ACCIDENT IN THE CAR AND OF COURSE MITSHUBISHI IS TRYING TO WIGGLE OUT OF IT. I GUESS I HAVE TO GET KILLED IN THEIR VEHICLE BEFORE ANYTHING WILL BE DONE. ALL I WANT IS FOR MITSHUBISHI TO TAKE THEIR DEFECTIVE MERCHANDISE AND GIVE ME THE MONEY THAT I HAVE INVESTED IN THIS DEATH TRAP SO THAT I CAN PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE. I AM VERY SORRY THAT I EVER BOUGHT THIS CAR. IT IS A SERIOUS DEATH TRAP!!!!!!! *JB

A TIRE BLEW OUT ON A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER. IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGING THE TIRE, THE JACK COLLAPSED. NO-ONE WAS HURT. THERE ARE OTHER INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES. MITSUBISHI'S NORTH AMERICAN CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED. AFTER LITTLE INTEREST IN THIS INCIDENT THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE WAS ASKED IF THIS WASN'T CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE AND OF OTHER REPORTS OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS ON THE INTERNET. AFTER BEING TOLD TO TAKE THE JACK TO A MITSUBISHI DEALER TO VERIFY THE JACK WAS DEFECTIVE THE JACK WAS REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE AND THE OLD JACK WAS KEPT BY THE MITSUBISHI DEALER. PHOTO'S OF THE BROKEN JACK WERE TAKEN. *JB

I WAS IN THE LEFT TURNING LANE, AS I PROCEEDED TO TURN, A CAR AT HIGH SPEED RAN THE RED LIGHT HIT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE BUMPER CAUSING THE CAR TO SPIN,THE CAR WAS TOTALED DURING THE ACCIDENT THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. *JB

I WAS TRAVELING AT 30-34 MPH AND A INTREPID PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND I SLAMMED HEAD ON TO HER DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE. MY SEAT BELTS DIDN'T LOCK RESULTING IN ME HITTING MY CHEST ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND MY SON IN THE BACK SEAT TO HIT HIS HEAD ON THE BACK OF THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT. MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY RESULTING IN MY PELVIC BONE TO SHIFT AND ME TO RECEIVE WHIPLASH AND A BULDGE IN MY LOWER BACK. THE IMPACT OF THE CRASH RESULTED IN MY CAR BEING TOTALED. *JB

I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY, STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, WHEN MY CLUTCH SUDDENLY WOULDN'T DISENGAGE. I WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO GEAR, I KILLED THE ENGINE, PUT IT IN SECOND, AND STARTED IT BACK UP, JUST ENOUGH TO GET BACK HOME. RIGHT NOW THE CAR IN NEARLY UNDRIVABLE, AND THIS APPARENTLY HAS HAPPENED TO A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE. *JB

IN 2003 I BOUGHT A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER FROM A MITSUBISHI DEALER. THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 25,000 MILES ON IT AND HAD THE ORIGINAL BRAKES. IN DECEMBER 2004 I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAD THE WORK DONE AND THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 42,000 MILES ON IT AND IT WAS NOW ON IT'S SECOND SET OF BRAKES. IN APRIL 2006 I NOTICED THE BRAKES WERE SQUEAKING ,AND TOOK THE CAR TO A BRAKE REPAIR SHOP. THEY SAID THE CAR DID NEED NEW BRAKES BUT ALSO OF THE TWO FRONT ROTORS ONE WAS MARGINAL FOR BEING TURNED, AND THE OTHER WAS BELOW SPECIFICATIONS. IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO ONE OF THE CALIPERS WAS NOT RELEASING PROPERLY SO THE BRAKE ESSENTIALLY STAYED ON, AND THERE WERE BLACK HEAT MARKS ON THE ROTOR. THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 75,000 MILES ON IT, AND IT WAS NOW ON ITS THIRD SET OF BRAKES. I HAD THE BRAKE PADS REPLACED. ALSO TOOK ALL THE PARTS THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED AND WENT TO THE MITSUBISHI DEALER THAT I HAD PURCHASED THE CAR FROM, AND WHERE THE FIRST SET OF BRAKES HAD BEEN REPLACED. AT THE DEALER THEY REFUSED TO REMOVE ALL THE COMPONENTS. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SEE WHAT I HAD BEEN SHOWN AT THE BRAKE SHOP. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM AND THE ONLY THING AGREED UPON WAS THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A WEEK LATER I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE BRAKE SHOP AND HAD THE ROTORS REPLACED. I CONTACTED MITSUBISHI MOTORS BY PHONE AND ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THE BRAKES AND WAS TOLD NO. I WROTE TO MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICAN CORPORATE OFFICE, AND RECEIVED A REPLY STATING THEY DO NOT DEAL WITH TECHNICAL QUESTIONS BUT I SHOULD CONTACT THE LOCAL MITSUBISHI DEALER. I TOLD THEM IN THE LETTER THAT I HAD DONE THAT ALREADY. THESE BRAKE JOBS HAVE BEEN EXPENSIVE, ESPECIALLY THE LAST ONE WHERE THE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. I FEEL THAT MITSUBISHI HAS BEEN VERY UNHELPFUL WITH THIS COMPLAINT. *JB *AK *NM

AT MY 30K SERVICE THE FRONT BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED. NOW AT 52K MILES THE ROTORS NEED TO BE MACHINED. I'M WONDERING IF THE MATERIAL THE BRAKE PADS ARE MADE FROM ARE JUST CHEAP AND WEAR OUT QUICKLY OR WHAT WOULD MAKE THE ROTORS NEED TO BE MACHINED AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE. I'VE OWNED MANY VEHICLES AND HAVE NEVER HAD TO HAVE ROTORS MACHINED, RESURFACED OR REPLACED, EVEN UP TO 150K MILES! THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I CAN SEE THAT I'LL BE DOING BRAKE PADS EVERY 40K MILES OR SO IF THE TRACK RECORD CONTINUES. I CAN FIND NO TSB ON BRAKES. THE DEALER ALSO SAID I HAD AN OPEN RECALL TO "REFLASH PCM" WHICH I CAN'T FIND ON YOUR SITE FOR MY VEHICLE. IS THIS A VOLUNTARY RECALL OR A FEDERALLY MANDATED ONE? BECAUSE I CAN'T FIND IT I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THEY'RE RECALLING OR WHAT I SHOULD LOOK OUT FOR IF THE PCM FAILS AFTER THE RECALL. *NM

IN OCTOBER OF 2003, A TECHNICAL BULLETIN WAS ISSUED ON MY CAR. THE BULLETIN READS: 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER 02 - BLOWER [PART 138110] TSB NO: 0355008 NHTSA ID: , OCTOBER 01, 2003 : REPLACEMENT: SUMMARY: DEBRIS (SUCH AS LEAVES, ETC) ENTERING THE FRONT COWL AREA MAY CLOG THE EVAPORATOR HOUSING DRAIN TUBE. IF THIS OCCURS, THE EVAPORATOR HOUSING MAY FILL UP WITH CONDENSATION AND OVERFLOW INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, AND INTO THE BLOWER MOT...IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2005, I PAID MY LOCAL MITSUBISHI DEALER $310.50 TO REPLACE MY BLOWER MOTOR BECAUSE DEBRIS HAD CLOGGED THE MOTOR CAUSING IT TO SHORT OUT AND RESULTING IN LEAVING MY PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD UNDER AN INCH OF WATER. MY CAR NOW, IS OUT OF WARRANTY. HOWEVER, IF I HAD KNOWN THERE WAS A PROBLEM, I COULD HAVE BOUGHT A FILTER TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM. MY QUESTION IS: AT WHAT POINT DOES NHTSA MAKE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS INTO RECALLS? IT IS ABSOLUTELY ABSURD WHEN MY DEALER INFORMS ME THAT TSB'S ARE ONLY FIXED IF A CUSTOMER COMPLAINS ABOUT THE CAR. IT'S JUST PLAIN WRONG FOR MITSUBISHI TO KNOW THERE IS SOMETHING POTENTIALLY WRONG WITH YOUR CAR AND NOT INFORM YOU OF IT. FOR INSTANCE THERE IS ANOTHER BULLETIN ON THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB IN MY CAR. NOW, I READ THESE TSB'S AND IT JUST SO HAPPENED THAT MITSUBISHI WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WHEN MY CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. I HAD TO REPLACE THE CV BOOT, THE VALVE COVERS AND SEALS, AND WHEN I GOT THE BLOWER MOTOR REPLACED I HAD TO REPLACE THE THERMOSTAT AND REDO MY COOLANT. I'M ALSO CURRENTLY HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL. EVERY TIME I CRANK MY CAR UP, MY CRUISE CONTROL IS ALREADY ON. I TURN THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF, AND TURN MY CAR BACK ON, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ON AGAIN. I WAS TWO DAYS BEFORE PAYING $600 FOR THE TORQUE CONVERTER TO BE REPLACED, AND FINALLY A RECALL WAS ISSUED, THANK GOD! HOW MANY THINGS HAVE TO GO WRONG WITH MY CAR FOR IT TO BE DEEMED A LEMON AND MADE TO BE SENT BACK? LORD, SOMEBODY PLEASE REPLY BACK TO ME AND TELL ME WHAT TO DO!?! *NM

I OWN A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER. I PURCHASED FROM CARMAX IN 2005 AND WAS ASSURED THAT IT WAS FREE OF PROBLEMS. ADDITIONAL RESEARCH SHOWED THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN WELL CARED FOR AND HAD NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE IN LATE FEBRUARY 2006 THE STEERING COLUMN INEXPLICABLY COLLAPSED INTO MY LAP. THE CAR WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL, AND I WAS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS IN GRIDLOCK, OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. SO, SINCE MY WARRANTY WITH CARMAX HAD LAPSED, I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC (WHO IS EXTREMELY COMPETENT AND REPUTABLE). HE LOOKED AT THE IT AND HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE STEEL BRACKETS HOLDING THE COLUMN IN PLACE HAD BEEN RIPPED THROUGH, AND THE ONLY THING CAPABLE OF DOING THIS WAS A HEAD ON COLLISION. I HAD HIM REPAIR THE COLUMN, AS I NEEDED MY CAR. HE FIXED ALL THE NECESSARY PROBLEMS AND DID NOT FIND ANYTHING ELSE THAT NEEDED REPAIRING. THEN IN APRIL 2006, I WAS SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT AND AGAIN THE COLUMN COLLAPSED. IT WAS IN A WORSE STATE THAN DURING THE PREVIOUS FAILURE. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC TO BE RE-EXAMINED. HE WAS ABLE TO FIND NOTHING RELATED TO HIS PREVIOUS REPAIR THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS SECOND FAILURE. THE STEEL RIVETS AND BOLTS SUPPORTING THE COLUMN (WHICH HAD NOT BEEN TOUCHED DURING THE PREVIOUS REPAIR AND WERE THEREFORE UNDISTURBED), HAD COMPLETELY RIPPED AWAY. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A MITSUBISHI DEALER AND THEIR SERVICE TEAM COULD COME UP WITH NO EXPLANATION FOR WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS FAILURE OTHER THAN A POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE COLUMN. I WAS ASSURED THAT THIS WAS NOT DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I CONTACTED MITSUBISHI REGARDING WHAT COULD BE DONE, BUT THEY CLAIMED TO BE UNABLE TO HELP ME AS THE CAR WAS BEYOND THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY, DUE TO THE NUMBER OF MILES ON IT I AM ONLY FORTUNATE IN THAT THESE FAILURES DID NOT OCCUR WHILE I WAS IN MOTION, OR THE SUDDEN LOSS OF CONTROL WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH I COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED. *JB

ON 5 OCCASIONS NOW WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN THE ENGINE ACCELERATES ON IT'S OWN REVVING EXTREMELY LOUD. IF I DON'T PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURN OFF THE IGNITION IT FEELS LIKE IT WILL TAKE OFF AND CAUSE A SEVERE ACCIDENT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND THIS FIRST OCCURRED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER BUYING THE VEHICLE. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE VEHICLE AND A FEW MONTHS LATER HAPPENED AGAIN. IT HAPPENS SPORADICALLY BUT WHEN IT HAPPENS IT IS QUITE SCARY. NOW MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND AUTOZONE PRINTED ME A RECEIPT THAT INDICATED THERE IS A MALFUNCTION IN THE TURBINE SPEED SENSOR. I AM GOING TO GIVE THIS A TRY AND HOPE IT RESOLVES MY ISSUE. IT SEEMS THIS HAS BEEN A MALFUNCTION SINCE THEY SOLD ME THE VEHICLE. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS VEHICLE.. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAS ISSUES WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION.. IT SOUNDS LIKE I AM DRIVING AN HUGE SCHOOL BUS... IT SQUEAKS AND SOMETIMES SOUNDS LIKE THE BACK END IS GOING TO FALL APART...*JB

1- GEARS BEGAN TO GRIND, THEN BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO ENGAGE GEARS AT ALL 2- CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER WENT BAD UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS 3- SLAVE CYLINDER WENT BAD CAUSING CLUTCH TO GO BAD- $1200 REPAIR WITH ONLY 55K MILES (((NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY))). *NM

I WENT INTO A DITCH (WAS RUN OFF THE ROAD) PASSENGER DOOR HIT A POLE, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND PASSENGER FRACTURED HER COLLAR BONE. THIS HAPPENED IN 2005. ALSO THE BLOW MOTOR HAS RUSTED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, I FOUND OUT THROUGH THE INTERNET THAT WATER FLOWS INTO THE MOTOR THROUGH THE WIPERS. IT COST OVER $400. TO REPLACE THE MOTOR. *JB

NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AFTER ACCIDENT EVEN AFTER VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER. *NM

I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN 2003 AND WAS HAPPY WITH IT'S PERFORMANCE UP UNTIL SEPTEMBER OF 2005. ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE CAR MAKING A FUNNY NOISE AND ACCELERATING ON IT'S OWN. I TOOK THE CAR TO HAVE IT SERVICED AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE REPAIR PERSON THAT NO ONE HAD EVER REPORTED HAVING A PROBLEM OF THIS KIND. SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING IT. I BOUGHT ALL NEW TIRES BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THAT MY TWO FRONT TIRES WERE STARTING TO BALD. IT APPEARS AS THOUGH THE CAR COULD BE IDLED TOO HIGH OR SOMETHING. SINCE I DO NOT KNOW THAT MUCH ABOUT I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE. IF MITSUBISHI DOES NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT THERE WOULD BE NO WAY THAT I WOULD EVEN HAVE A CLUE. I HAD MY VEHICLE SERVICED BY MITSUBISHI IN SEPTEMBER 2002. I WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DUE FOR SOME COMPUTER UPGRADES WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE CAUSED THE PROBLEM THAT I EXPERIENCED WITH MY VEHICLE. ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT SINCE I HAVE HAD THE CAR SERVICED IT STILL FEELS AS THOUGH IT IS ACCELERATING WHEN I AM TRYING TO SLOW DOWN. I AM NOW IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO PAY OFF THE VEHICLE SO THAT I CAN TRADE IT IN FOR ANOTHER MAKE/MODEL. BEFORE THIS PROBLEM AROSE I HAD ANTICIPATED TRADING MY LANCER IN FOR THE NEW ECLIPSE. I GUESS THAT I DO NOT HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT MISUBISHI WILL BE LOSING ME AS A CUSTOMER. MY VEHICLE IS A MITSUBISHI LANCER ES 2002. *JB

CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE DUE TO EXCESSIVE FUEL BURNING IN EXHAUST MANIFOLD. CURRENTLY THROWING P0421 CODE. REPLACED 1ST CAT AND 2ND CAT FAILURE ON 8/23/05. SEE REFERENCE TSB 89. LEWISVILLE MITSUBISHI IN LEWISVILLE TX CLAIMS SO SUCH TSB EXISTS. *JB

CAR SHAKES WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING BRAKES. CONSTANT ROTOR PROBLEM . ROTORS HAVE BEEN CHANGED 7 TIMES IN 3 YEARS. *JB

DT: 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER. BRAKES FAILED TWICE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MITSUBISHI SERVICE DEALER TWICE. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOUR TIMES, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. IT WAS FINALLY DETERMINED THAT THE PUSH ROD WAS INCORRECTLY SPECIFIED. THE MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT BASICALLY THE WRONG PART WAS PUT ON THE VEHICLE. IT HAD THE WRONG BRAKES INSTALLED. THIS PROBLEM WAS LISTED IN SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER 0235003. CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN TWO ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE BRAKES. THERE WAS A VIBRATION IN BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE TIRE AXLE. THIS ONLY OCCURED WHEN CONSUMER PUSHED ON THE BRAKES. THE ACCIDENTS WERE REPORTED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK

ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO I STARTED HEARING A NOISE WHEN THE AC WAS ON. I TOOK IT INTO A SERVICE DEALER AND HE STATED MY AC COMPRESSOR WAS GOING BAD. AND THAT AT 32,500 MILES THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. I AM TAKING IT TO A MITSUBISHI DEALER SAT- TO DIAGNOS THIS AND TO MAKE SURE MITSUBISHI PAYS FOR IT. WARRANTY OUT 3/2005 - BUT CAR UNDER MILES AND VERY WELL KEPT. I WAS TOLD BY 3 SERVICE DEPT'S AN AC COMPRESSOR ON A CAR WITH 32,500 MILES SHOULD NOT BE GOING BAD AND MITSUBISHI SHOULD PAY FOR IT. (2 OF THE 3 WERE MITSUBISHI DEALERS) I WANT THIS PAID FOR AND TAKEN CARE OF BY MITSUBISHI... I WAS GOING TO TRADE IN ON A NEW ONE, BUT WE'LL SEE HOW THEY HANDLE THIS TO SEE IF THEY KEEP ME AS A CUSTOMER

AN UNUSUAL SCREECHING NOISE COMES FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN IT IS AT REST, IN MOTION AND WHEN THE BRAKES ARE PRESSED.*AK

THE DAY PRIOR TO THE FULL FAILURE OF THE PART, I EXPERIENCED LOSS OF PRESSURE IN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IN NORMAL DRIVING. THE CAR'S MILAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 43,000 MILES. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME BY SYNCHRO-SHIFTING TO MINIMIZE USE OF THE CLUTCH PEDAL.*AK THE NEXT MORNING FULL FAILURE WAS EVIDENT AS THE PRESSURE HAD DROPPED TO THE POINT WHERE THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST SERVICE STATION BY AAA WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A BAD MASTER CYLINDER IN THE CLUTCH. THE PART WAS REPLACED THE NEXT DAY AND IT WAS REVEALED THAT THE SLAVE CYLINDER WAS FAULTY AS WELL. THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THESE PARTS LEAD TO THREE MISSED DAYS OF WORK AND A TOTAL PARTS AND LABOR BILL OF $770. BOTH THE MASTER AND SLAVE CYLINDERS IN THE CLUTCH WERE REPLACED WITH OEM MITSUBISHI PARTS AS NO THIRD-PARTY MANUFACTURER HAD THEM AVAILABLE AT THE TIME. THE OLD PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.

I BOUGHT A NEW 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER AND AFTER ONE MONTH STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH SURGES FROM THE TRANSMISSION. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT SINCE IT WASNT DOING IT AT REGULAR OCCURENCES, THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG BY DRIVING IT. ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER THE PROBLEM WORSENED SO I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. AGAIN THE CAR WAS DRIVEN BUT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG AND BLAMED IT ON THE TIRES. I FELT INSULTED AS THOUGH I COULDNT TELL WHAT WAS GOING ON IN MY CAR. I FINALLY GAVE UP AND DECIDED IF THE PROBLEM CAUSED DAMAGE, MAYBE THEN THEY WOULD LISTEN TO ME. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED FOR 2 YEARS UNTIL I GAVE UP AND ONCE AGAIN TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME THAT I WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION AND FLUID CHANGED BEFORE CHECKING IT FOR FURTHER PROBLEMS COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE COST OF THIS WOULD BE $170.00. I FELT THIS WAS UNFAIR SINCE I HAD BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR THIS PROBLEM ONLY ONE MONTH AFTER THE PURCHASE . I CALLED MITSUBISHI MOTORS AND SPOKE TO MAINTENANCE WHO TOLD ME THE SAME THING. I THEN ASKED WHETHER MY WARRANTY WOULD BE VOIDED IF I HAD IT DONE SOMEWHERE ELSE FOR A FRACTION OF THE COST. SHE ASSURED ME IT MUST BE DONE BY A MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP. I TOLD HER OF 4 OTHER POEPLE WITH THE SAME CAR HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS BUT SHE TOLD ME THAT EACH CAR WAS INDIVIDUAL AND IT DIDNT MEAN THAT IT WAS THE SAME ISSUES CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I HAVE GOTTEN NO RESOLVE OVER THIS AND FEEL ITS NOT FAIR TO HAVE TO PAY SUCH A HIGH PRICE FOR A PROBLEM WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED IN THE BEGINNING. *AK

2002 MITS LANCER OZ - BRAKES HAVE GONE OUT TWICE WITH ONLY 38000 MILES. *AK

2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER ES . HAVE HAD FOUR (4) ACCIDENTS WITH THIS VEHICLE FROM DATE OF PURCHASE TO PRESENT APPROXIMATELY 13 MONTHS IN 2/2004 THE AUTOMOBILE STARTED STALLING, AND DURING THE STALL IT WOULD ACCELERATE, AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT FUNCTION DURING THIS. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION MADE REVVING SOUNDS PERIODICALLY.I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE MITSUBISHI DEALER ?BELLSOUTH MITSUBISHI? IN SAYREVILLE NJIN FEB 04? AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM TO THE SERVICE DEPT.THE PUT THE CAR ON A MACHINE FOR TESTS AND NO ERRORS WERE FOUND. I THEN NOTIFIED THE SALES PERSON THAT SOLD ME THE CAR THEY REQUESTED ME TO LEAVE IT FOR 4 HOURS TO RUN TESTS ETC? THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. 12/17/04 WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AT A STOP SIGN AND ACCELERATED INTO THE TRUCK AHEAD OF ME CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT ,THE BUMPER, AND HOOD OF MY CAR. SINCE THEN THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION IS MAKING MORE LOUD REVVING SOUNDS SINCE THAT INCIDENT. IT SEEMS TO BE WORSENING.ON 12/30/04 AT A STOP LIGHT THE CAR ACCELERATED WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKETHE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK?THE MOTOR REVVED UP VERY LOUDLY AND THE CAR SHOOK FOR ABOUT 30SECONDS TO A MINUTE THEN WENT BACK TO ?NORMAL? I CALLED THE BELL MITSUBISHI IN RAHWAYNJ.IMMEDIATELY AND THEY ROAD TESTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.12/31/04 I TOOK THE CAR BACK INTO BELLSOUTHMITSUBISHI IN SAYREVILLE,NJTHEY PUT THE CAR ON A MACHINE ?SORRY THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED?THE VEHICLE ALSO HAS A MUCH EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE CAUSING 2 SEPARATE ACCIDENTS THE CAR ACCELERATES SUDDENLY, TAKES LONG TO SLOW DOWN TO A STOP IN 2/04 DURING A SNOW STORM I WAS DRIVING APPX 25MPH THE BRAKES TOOK TO LONG TO APPLY AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR .IN THE RAIN THE CAR FAILED TO STOP AGAIN WHEN BRAKES WHERE APPLIED AND STARTED TO SKID INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I TRIED TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AWAY TO AVOID COLLISION THE STEERING WAS NOT RESPONSIVE THERFORE RESULTING IN COLLISION. AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY IN ANY ACCIDENT. *AK

VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP SIGN, PULLING OUT WHEN A TRUCK "T-BONED" THE CAR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES, BUT DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. CAR WAS TOTALLED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH STEERING WHEEL COLLAPSED. CONSUMER HAD DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO INSPECT A BOTTOM ENGINE NOISE, AFTER A QUICK INSPECTION THE MECHANIC INFORMED HIS MANAGER OF A SUPPOSED RAPID LEAK OF OIL, RESULTING IN DAMAGE OF PARTS. I EXPLIANED TO THE MANAGER THAT I'VE OWN THE CAR SINCE NEW AND THERE NEVER BEEN AN OIL LEAK BECAUSE IM THE ONE WHO HAVE DONE THE OIL CHANGE FOR THE PAST 2 YRS, THAT THE GREASE HE SUPPOSED IS OIL IS THE AMOROLE ACUMULATING UNDER THE CAR FROM RECENT DETAILING DONE BY MYSELF. THE MANAGER CONTACTED THE WARRANTY AND WITHOUT HEARING AN EXPLANATION OR CLOSELY INSPECTING THE CAR THE DECIDED THAT IS NOT GOING TO BE FIXED. *AK

FACTORY DEFECTIVE PAINT SPOTS ON HOOD,DAMAGE TO HOOD DURING MAINTENCE BY DEALERSHIP. *AK

PUSHED IN CLUTCH PEDAL, HEARD A LOUD POP, AND CLUTCH PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CLUTCH WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT WERE THE CAR STALLED. GOT THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALER STATED SEALS INSIDE SLAVE CYLINDER BLEW OUT AND COATED THE CLUTCH DISC, PRESSURE PLATE, AND FLYWHEEL WITH FLUID. REPLACED SLAVE CYLINDER AND PRESSURE PLATE, AND RESURFACED THE FLYWHEEL. I HAD TO PAY $1009.35 TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK. *NM

LEFT REAR OF CAR WAS MAKING A INTERMITTENT NOISE THAT WAS FASTER WITH SPEED OF CAR. CHECKED STRUT ON LEFT REAR FOUND IT TO BE DEFECTIVE. WHILE WAITING FOR PART TO BE SHIPPED THE STRUT ON LEFT REAR CAME COMPLETELY APART. THIS APPEARS TO BE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO COMPLETE SEPARATION OF TOP AND BOTTOM OF STRUT.*AK

I OWN A 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER. MY STEERING WHEEL COLUMN COLLAPSED IN MY LAP WHILE DRIVING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS UNUSUAL THAT HAPPENED. SAID IT WAS THE LATCH IN MY COLUMN, HAD TO BUY A WHOLE NEW STEERING COLUMN 500+ PART, NOT INCLUDING LABOR. *AK

I WAS INVOLVED IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT YESTERDAY 8/26/04 AND NEITHER OF MY FRONTAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. WITH THE IMPACT THAT THE CAR TOOK THERE IS NO WAY THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY! *AK

WHILE APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE ACCELERATED. IN ORDER TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN CONSUMER HAD TO ENGAGE THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL, AND SHUT THE IGNITION OFF. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER AND PUT ON THE DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT NO CODES WERE DISPLAYED INDICATING A PROBLEM. *NM

MITSUBISHI LANCER ES 2002, VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAKING AN ANNOYING SQUEEKING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OT THE CAR. THREE ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE DEALER TO CORRECT PROBLEM, TO NO AVAIL. IT SEEMS THAT EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS WORKED ON THE SOUND DISSAPPEARS FOR SEVERAL MINUTES (30 MNS.) AND THAN IT RETURNS. THEY CLAIM TO BE STEMMING FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM TO POOR BUSHINGS TO LACK OF LUBRICATION. THEY CLAIM THAT ALLL OF THE ABOVE HAVE BEEN REPAIR OR REPLACED BUT NOT SUCCESSFULLY.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEED CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. CONSUME INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND NOTICED BLACK DUST COVERING THE RIMS. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY DEALERSHIP SIX TIMES. TECHNICIAN REPLACED ROTOR CAP, PINS,SHIMS, AN DBRAKE PADS.*AK

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A STREET IN MY 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER AND AS I APPROACHED A GREEN LIGHT I NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER OF AN ACURA WAS NOT STOPPING FOR HIS RED LIGHT. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES BUT UNFORTUNATELY I HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF HIS CAR. THE ACCEDENT CAUSED MY CAR TO TURN 90 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT. I GOT OUT OF MY VEHICLE AFTER CHECKING ON MY PASSENGER AND THATS WHEN I REALIZED THAT THE AIRBAGS IN MY VEHICLE DIDN'T DEPLOY. MY PASSENGER AND I WERE BOTH INJURED AND ARE BEING TREATED FOR INJURIES. I AM NOT VERY HAPPY WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF MY VEHICLE IN THAT IT FAILED TO PROVIDE THE PROTECTION THAT THE AIRBAGS WERE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE. IF THE AIRBAGS HAD DEPLOYED MY PASSENGER AND I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN THROWN AROUND LIKE RAGDOLLS IN THE VEHICLE. MY CAR WAS TOTALED AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. *AK

WHILE SITTING AT AN INTERSECTION VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED OUT INTO TRAFFIC. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 33 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BROKEN COLLAR BONE. *AK

PAINT IS CHIPPING ALL OVER THE BODY, ESPECIALLY ON THE HOOD. THE COMPANY REFUSES TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR CHEAP PAINT. THE PAINT WILL CHIP FOR NO REASON OR WHENEVER BIRD DROPPINGS OR TREE SAP COME IN CONTACT, EVEN IF YOU CLEAN IT RIGHT OFF. I HAVE NEVER HAD SUCH BAD PAINTG. *AK

THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AT 15000 AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AT 32000 MILES. *AK THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL WEAR. *NM

VEHICLE WAS TOTALED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION, BUT AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *LA THE DRIVER DIDN'T SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. CONSUMER QUESTIONED WHY DIDN'T THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY. (FATHER ON BEHALF ON HIS DAUGHTER). *PH

ACCELERATOR PEDAL OR THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS BACKING UP AND THE CAR REVVED REALLY HIGH AND CRASHED ME INTO A POLE. I THEN TRIED TO PULL FORWARDS AND THE CAR REVVED AGAIN AND LUNGED FORWARD, SMASHING INTO 2 CARS. I DID NOT EVEN HAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS AT THE TIME. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE ONLY WAY THAT I COULD MAKE THE CAR STOP WAS TO PUT IT IN PARK. I HAD NO DAMAGE TO MY OWN CAR BUT DID CAUSE QUITE A BIT TO THE OTHER CARS. I HAD A FRIEND WHO IS A MECHANIC LOOK AT MY CAR AND HE SEEMS TO THINK THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I ONLY BOUGHT THE CAR 7 MONTHS AGO AT A DEALER AND THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS ALREADY DARK BROWN. I'M NOT SURE WHY THIS WOULD BE, I HAVE HAD 3 OIL CHANGES ON MY CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT AND I'VE ONLY PUT 9000 MILES ON IT SINCE I BOUGHT IT 7 MONTHS AGO. THERE SHOULD NOT BE THAT KIND OF WEAR ON THE TRANNY AFTER THAT LITTLE OF USE. I KNOW THAT I DID NOT ACCELERATE SO IF THE CAR IS DOING IT ON ITS OWN, I REALLY DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN AGAIN.*AK

VEHICLE 'T-BONED' A TAXI CAUSING EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL ARM POPPED OFF THE WHEEL . HOWEVER, DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN A PREVIOUS ACCIDENT. VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED DUE TO BENT CHASSIS. *AK

JUNE 17, 2003 TO: PERUZZI MITSUBISHI ATTENTION: [XXX] 165 LINCOLN HWY FAIRLESS HILLS, PA 19030 DEAR [XXX], WE PURCHASED A MITSUBISHI LANCER IN SEPTEMBER 2002 FROM PERUZZI MITSUBISHI, LOCATED AT 165 LINCOLN HWY, FAIRLESS HILLS, PA 19030. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE THE VEHICLE HAD 2,074 MILES ON IT. WHEN I ASKED, THE SALESMAN TOLD US THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BRAND NEW AND THE MILES WERE FROM USING THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP AS A DEMONSTRATION CAR. SINCE THEN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER THREE SEPARATE TIMES FOR SERVICE. IT WAS DRIVEN IN ON ONE OCCASION AND TOWED IN TWICE. THE DATES OF SERVICE ARE AS FOLLOWS 02/25/03, 06/09/03 AND 06/17/03. THE PROBLEM HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE SAME, THE CAR STALLS OUT, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND IT WILL NOT START AGAIN. THIS VEHICLE HAS STALLED SEVERAL TIMES IN TRAFFIC, CAUSING MY FIANCE TO FEAR DRIVING IT. ALSO, BETWEEN OIL CHANGES (EVERY 3,000 MILES) THE CAR LOOSES BETWEEN ONE AND ONE HALF QUARTS OF OIL. WHEN I ASKED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO CHECK THIS PROBLEM I WAS TOLD, ALL THREE TIMES, THAT THIS IS NORMAL OIL LOSS. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE THEY HAVE STILL NOT CHECKED FOR OIL LEAKS. ON 6/18/2003, AFTER BEING TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, I DECIDED TO CHECK INTO THE VEHICLE'S HISTORY. I USED CARFAX.COM AND FOUND SOME VERY DISTURBING NEWS. MY VEHICLE HAS HAD AT LEAST THREE PREVIOUS OWNERS AND IS NOT THE BRAND NEW CAR I WAS LEAD TO BELIEVE. IT STARTED OUT IN PLEASANTVILLE NJ, AND THEN IT WAS REGISTERED IN ARIZONA, WHERE IT WAS SOLD AT AUCTION WITH 1,902 MILES ON IT AND FINALLY ENDED UP AT PERUZZI MITSUBISHI, WHERE WE PURCHASED IT. I FEEL THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO US UNDER FALSE PRETENSES, AND THAT PERUZZI MITSUBISHI IS RESPONSIBLE FOR EITHER REPLACING THE VEHICLE WITH A BRAND NEW ONE OR GIVING US OUR MONEY BACK. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN RESOLVING THIS MATTER AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE BRAKES WORE OUT PREMATURELY. THE PART WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED EXISTS. *AK THE VEHICLE LEFT BLACK OIL SPOTS ON THE GARAGE GROUND NEAR ALL FOUR TIRES THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD IT WAS FROM EXCESS FACTORY OVER COATING. THE BRAKES SQUEALED CONTINUOUSLY, THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WORE OUT PREMATURELY AND A NAIL WAS IN THE SIDEWALL OF THE REAR TIRE AND COULDN'T BE REPAIRED BECAUSE TO THE FRONT AND REAR STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO LEAKAGE, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER WAS GETTING DIFFERENT OPINIONS REGARDING THE STRUTS. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CALIPERS AND OR BRAKE DESIGN WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES TO PREMATURELY WEAR OUT. *SCC THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED *JB

INTERMITTENTLY THE STEERING COLUMN COLLAPSED INTO DRIVER'S LAP WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. DEALER STATED THIS WAS UNUSUAL, WE NEVER HEARD A CASE LIKE THIS PROBLEM.*AK

CAR SHIFTS VERY HARD, NOT LIKE HOW A 4 CYLINDER ENGINE SHOULD. HAS A "POPPING" SOUND TO ACCOMPANY THE HARD SHIFT. SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE THE VEHICLE HAS "GRINDED" BETWEEN SHIFTS. ENGINE HAD REVED TO 4000-5000 RPM'S FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 SECONDS BEFORE FINALLY SHIFTING INTO GEAR. THIS IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND SHOULD NOT BE DOING THIS WITH 19000 MILES AND IT IS ONLY A YEAR OLD. HAS TAKEN OFF ON ME ONCE, WHERE I HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID SLAMMING INTO THE BACK END OF A CAR WITH CHILDREN IN THE BACKSEAT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE "PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED." MEANWHILE EVERY TIME I GET INTO THE CAR, THE SHIFTING GETS WORSE. TECH LINE SAYS THERE IS NO PROBLEM, AND TOLD THE DEALER THAT DROPPING OUT THE TRANNIE WOULD ACCOMPLISH NOTHING AND WOULD BE A WASTE OF TIME.*AK

HAVING A PROBLEM WITH REAR SUSPENSION. THE ENTIRE BACK END SOUNDS AS IF THE FRAME IS BROKEN. WAS ASSURED BY MITSU SERVICE THAT IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED BEARINGS AND BUSHINGS AND PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER. THIS IS A 2002 LANCER OZ WITH 30000 MILES THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO A CAR OF THIS AGE. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE I FEEL IF THERE ARE TWO COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE THERE ARE MOST CERTAINLY DOZENS MORE OUT THERE OR MORE TO COME.*AK

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR HEAD-ON COLLISION INTO A DITCH. NEITHER THE FRONT DRIVER OR PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL FELL OFF, NUTS AND BOLTS BROKE AND THE SEAL CAME OFF. *AK

PAINT IS CHIPPING IN FRONT. PAINT ALL OVER THE CAR IS VERY EASILY CHIPPED,SCRATCHED ETC. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR WITH SUCH A LOUSY PAINT JOB. DEALERSHIP SAYS IT DRIVING CONDITIONS THAT ARE CAUSING THE PAINT CHIPS IN THE FRONT. BUT YOUR FINGERNAIL CAN SCRATCH THE PAINT ALL OVER THE CAR. IT'S WORTHLESS. *NLM

I HAD A 2002 MITS LANCER PURCHASE ON NOVEMBER 2001 HAS ONLY 14.800 MILES AND MY FRONT BRAKE PADS ARE GONE . *JB

VEHICLE REQUIRES EXTREME PEDAL PRESSURE TO STOP. VEHICLE HAS A LONG EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DOES NOT MATTER IF BRAKES ARE COLD OR HOT. ISSUE BEGAN WHEN CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 12000 MILES ON IT. BRAKES HAVE BEEN INSPECTED AND NO PROBLEMS FOUND WITH SYSTEM. VEHICLE NOW HAS 22000 AND CONDITION STILL EXISTS AND IS WORSENING. *JB

PAINT CRACKS AND CHIPS EASILY; TREE SAP AND BIRD DROPPINGS EAT THE PAINT EVEN IF WASHED OFF THE SAME DAY; PAINT IS VERY THIN. *NLM

I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION OF MY 2002 MITSUBISHI LANCER. SERVICE TELLS ME THAT THEY HAVE RECEIVED A BULLETIN FROM MITSUBISHI REGARDING AN ISSUE WITH THE CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS. APPARENTLY BOTH ARE BAD ON MY AUTOMOBILE. THE RECOMMENDED FIX TO THIS PROBLEM ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE BULLETIN IS A SPECIAL LUBE, HOWEVER AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. ALTHOUGH MY CAR IS UNDER A FULL BUMPER-TO-BUMPER WARRANTY, SERVICE HAS MADE NO ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM FOR OVER A MONTH, DESPITE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND PROTESTS BY ME. THEY ARE INSTEAD "WAITING FOR MITSUBISHI TO TELL THEM HOW TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM". IN THE MEANTIME I AM FORCED TO DRIVE A DEFECTIVE AUTOMOBILE. *JB

CAR WAS HIT ON SIDE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT MALFUNCTIONED RESULTING IN DEATH OF PASSENGER. *NLM

CAR ACCELERATED TO FULL THROTTLE AND TOOK OFF WHILE TRANSMISSION WAS IN PARK. LOCAL DEALERSHIP MITSUBISHI OF ORANGE PARK JACKSONVILLE FLA KEPT CAR FOR FROM 3/11/03 UNTIL 3/25/03 TO TRY TO MAKE CAR DUPLICATE SITUATION BUT TO NO AVAIL. THEY KEPT IN TOUCH WITH MITSUBISHI TECH SUPPORT BUT NOTHING COULD BE DETERMINED TO WHY CAR DID SUCH A STRANGE THING. THIS HAS BEEN KNOWN TO HAPPEN ON CARS WHILE IN MOTION, ESPECIALLY ON OLDER MODELS.

THE ENGINE REVVED, AND THEN EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *JB

WITH THE AIR CONDITION ON, THE WINDOWS FOGGED UP, WHICH WAS BELIEVED TO BE FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE WINDOWS, ALSO THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DESIGNED TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. SCC *JB

CAR SHAKES WHEN BRAKE IS APPLIED... WHAT IS CAUSING HAS NOT BEEN FOUND...

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLOWOUT. PLEASE PROVIDE THE SIZE AND DOT#. DEALER NOTIFIED. TX

WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH ON THE HIGHWAY ANOTHER VEHICLE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT HER. THE DUAL AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS

THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE REVVED WHILE SLOWING DOWN WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SURGE AND THE CAR TO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE. *TS *NLM

DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOWS WOULD FOG UP ON THE OUTSIDE WHENEVER THE AIR CONDITIONER IS TURNED ON. THE PROBLEM CAN HAPPEN WHILE VEHICLE IS IDLING. A RENTAL VEHICLE FROM ENTERPRISE. MR

VEHICLE IS RUSTING AT FACTORY SEAMS/WELDS FOR FRONT FRAME RAILS & APRON. DT

LUG NUTS. DT

PAINT CHIPS EASILY ON ANY PANEL. DT

RIGHT & LEFT REAR END LINKS/WHEEL BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED. DT

SPRINGS IN SEAT ARE MAKING NOISE DUE TO RUSTING.

LOWER CONTROL ARM ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE BUCKLED UNDER RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE STRIKING A CURB AT ~55 MPH. DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO FIX UNDER WARRANTY CITING THERE IS NO PROOF THAT HITTING THE CURB DID NOT CAUSE THE DAMAGE. I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THERE HAD BEEN A SIMILIAR INCIDENT THE PREVIOUS WEEK INVOLVING ANOTHER LANCER. ON THIS VEHICLE THE FAILURE WAS ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS FAILURE ALSO RESULTED IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AS WELL AS STRIKING AN OBJECT WITH THE VEHICLE. DT

CONSUMER STATES TRAVELLING APPROX 25-30MPH AND REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. TS

MR

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NLM

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH DURING A HEAD ON COLLISION,NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.*AK

WHILE ADJUSTING THE STEERING WHEEL THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN COLLAPSED INTO DRIVER'S LAP WHILE MAKING A TURN. MECHANIC STATED ADJUSTER WAS BROKEN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMAITON.*AK

THIS ENGINE HAS PISTON SLAP AND VALVETRAIN NOISE ON COLD STARTS. THE DISTRICT REP REFUSES TO ALLOW THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED LIMIT APPLIED BRAKES AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION.*AK

THIS NOISE HASN'T GONE AWAY NO MATTER WHICH BRAND OF OIL FILTER OR WEIGHT/BRAND OF OIL I USE. THE DEALER SAYS IT'S A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THIS ENGINE. I TEST DROVE AN IDENTICAL VEHICLE AND IT PURRED LIKE A KITTEN. SEEMS LIKE THEY'RE STALLING AND BRUSHING ME OFF.*AK