2002 Mitsubishi Lancer Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 12%of 148 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 34,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer, 12% of the 148 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 34,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10156782, filed 2006-05, 42,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10157234, filed 2006-05, 51,500 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10016224, filed 2003-04, 12,500 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10105813, filed 2005-01, 36,000 miles“The brakes wore out prematurely. The part was replaced three times, but the problem continued exists. 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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10043981, filed 2003-11, 7,142 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10170087Dec 7, 2012This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170086Nov 1, 2012This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10018380Dec 1, 2004Sport pedal installation tools. Mitsubishi. Tech talk.
- 10014418Oct 1, 2002Click or pop noise when braking.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 | 20% |
| 2011 | 2 | 6% |
| 2010 | 7 | 14% |
| 2009 | 16 | 16% |
| 2008 | 9 | 10% |
| 2006 | 4 | 11% |
| 2005 | 2 | 8% |
| 2004 | 2 | 3% |
| 2003 | 6 | 3% |
| 2002 | 18 | 12% |
Other parts of the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer
26 complaintsAir bags
23 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
22 complaintsEngine cooling
19 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsEquipment
6 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology