2002 Mitsubishi Lancer Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 2%of 148 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 175,766miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine of the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer, 2% of the 148 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 175,766 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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?”
NHTSA complaint #10622408, filed 2014-08, 150,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10903894, filed 2016-09Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3 | 10% |
| 2015 | 4 | 17% |
| 2014 | 1 | 6% |
| 2013 | 2 | 40% |
| 2012 | 5 | 26% |
| 2011 | 8 | 24% |
| 2010 | 13 | 25% |
| 2009 | 22 | 22% |
| 2008 | 13 | 14% |
| 2005 | 1 | 4% |
| 2004 | 1 | 1% |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% |
| 2002 | 3 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer
26 complaintsAir bags
23 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
22 complaintsEngine cooling
19 complaintsBrakes
18 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsEquipment
6 complaintsFuel system
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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