Equipment:other:labels
NHTSA campaign 04V428000 · 2004 · reported 09/01/2004
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
2002 Mitsubishi Lancer Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Elevated complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Air Bags:frontal — runs 1.9× the fleet median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
148Complaints
4Recalls
32Crashes
1Fires
22Injured
2Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Air Bags:frontal (8.1% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Air Bags:frontal complaints here are 1.9× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags:frontal | 12 · 8.1% | not available | — |
| Air Bags | 12 · 8.1% | not available | — |
| Visibility | 10 · 6.8% | not available | — |
| Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System | 9 · 6.1% | not available | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 · 5.4% | not available | — |
| Suspension | 8 · 5.4% | Recalled | Recall 16V458000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 148 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 4 campaigns
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
NHTSA campaign 16V458000 · 2016 · reported 06/23/2016
A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 06E038000 · 2006 · reported 05/08/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting:headlights
NHTSA campaign 09E025000 · 2009 · reported 05/11/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“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…”NHTSA complaint 10088676 — filed 08/27/2004 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
“CONSUMER STATES TRAVELLING APPROX 25-30MPH AND REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. TS”NHTSA complaint 8021333 — filed 10/22/2002 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
“WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH DURING A HEAD ON COLLISION,NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.”NHTSA complaint 8012943 — filed 06/28/2002 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Air bags:frontal issues are the most-reported category, cited in 12 of 148 NHTSA complaints (8.1%), followed by air bags (12), visibility (10), visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer have?
148 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 32 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 22 reported injuries. 2 deaths were reported.
Does the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 04V428000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
