2002 Mitsubishi Lancer Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 15%of 148 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer, 15% of the 148 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,000 miles. 2 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.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10159758, filed 2006-06, 60,215 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10230465, filed 2008-06, 55,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10376901, filed 2011-01, 146,100 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10250195, filed 2008-11, 207,908 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10093825, filed 2004-10, 49,995 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10170074Aug 28, 2015This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170071Jul 22, 2015This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170096Mar 5, 2013This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170100Feb 6, 2013This 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.
- 10021743May 1, 2007Reprogramming the pcm drivability or sensitivity issues can be corrected.
- 10017671Dec 1, 2005Emissions recall campaign - incorrect parameters in the pcm software that may allow a malfunction in the vehicle speed sensor to go undetected by the on-board diagnostic system…
- 10016754Jul 1, 20052-3 SHIFT FLARE.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2 | 33% |
| 2016 | 21 | 70% |
| 2015 | 5 | 22% |
| 2014 | 6 | 38% |
| 2013 | 2 | 40% |
| 2012 | 6 | 32% |
| 2011 | 6 | 18% |
| 2010 | 4 | 8% |
| 2009 | 14 | 14% |
| 2008 | 11 | 12% |
| 2006 | 1 | 3% |
| 2005 | 1 | 4% |
| 2004 | 7 | 9% |
| 2003 | 51 | 26% |
| 2002 | 22 | 15% |
Other parts of the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer
26 complaintsAir bags
23 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 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