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Mitsubishi Lancer

2002–2006 only

272 classified complaints 4 recalls

2002–2006 Mitsubishi Lancer models have 272 classified complaints on record for these years specifically, plus 4 recalls. The most common issue in this range is Blower motor and blend-door actuators, typically surfacing around 86,000 miles.

Computed directly from stored federal records for 2002–2006 model years only — not blended with the rest of this vehicle's production run. See the full Mitsubishi Lancer report for every year combined.

Where this range fits

2002–2006

2007–2011

2012–2016

Complaints filed per 5-year model-year window — highlighted bars link to their own dedicated page.

What breaks, and when — 2002–2006 only

Blower motor and blend-door actuators · Heating and A/C 95 complaints

Median onset: 86,000 miles.

More common in older model years. · Typical repair: $150–$460 nationally.

Airbags, seatbelts and restraints · Body and interior 48 complaints

Median onset: 100,000 miles. 8.3% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

Control arms, ball joints and bushings · Suspension 20 complaints

Median onset: 170,000 miles.

Tends to show up later than this model's other issues. · More common in older model years. · Typical repair: $230–$700 nationally.

Subframe, cradle and frame corrosion · Suspension 19 complaints

Median onset: 116,000 miles.

More common in older model years.

Wiring harness, grounds and connectors · Electrical 10 complaints

Median onset: 100,000 miles.

More common in newer model years.

Harsh, delayed or erratic shifting · Transmission 10 complaints

Median onset: 100 miles.

Tends to show up earlier than this model's other issues. · More common in newer model years.

Which other vehicles have automatic transmission problems? →
Stalling and no-start · Engine 9 complaints

Median onset: 131,883 miles. 11.1% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

Tends to show up later than this model's other issues. · More common in newer model years.

Catalytic converter · Exhaust and emissions 9 complaints

Median onset: 97,000 miles.

More common in older model years. · Typical repair: $720–$2,370 nationally.

From owner-filed complaints to NHTSA, not independently verified. Federal mileage reporting on recent complaints is sparse — see how it works. Cost ranges are national estimates from book labor hours and parts pricing, not this vehicle's actual repair history — they don't account for your location or shop type.

Cost estimator: what will this one cost you?

Enter the car's year and mileage. See which known problems are due in your next 3 years, what each costs at your state's labor rates, which ones to ask the seller about, and routine maintenance to budget for.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — complaints and recalls, scoped to 2002–2006 model years. See the full Mitsubishi Lancer report for every year and full specs/safety data.