2002 Mitsubishi Lancer Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 18%of 148 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the visibility of the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer, 18% of the 148 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,500 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was convinced & shown that my blower moter was working in top condition. But on my ride home I was disturbed to find that only speed 4, an overdrive mode, was working. I contacted the local dealership where I just bought the Lancer es 02', and was told that everthing would be taken care of. …”
NHTSA complaint #10170870, filed 2006-10, 40,938 miles“I have a 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer and the temperature control knob in the vehicle has been difficult to turn since I bought the car. The knob broke off two weeks ago. I contacted my dealer who stated that I can not just change the knob I have to change the whole unit which will cost me around $ 600.00 plus services fees to install it. This should be a recall item, since heating (and cooling) a vehicle allows it to be operable during hot and cold temperatures. It is now beginning to get cold.”
NHTSA complaint #10430916, filed 2011-10, 110,000 miles“My 2002 lancers temperature control knob broke this morning while I was trying to engage the heat portion of the temperature gage to defrost my windshield. I did a little research on how to fix the problem on the internet and discovered that this a common issue with the Lancer. If this is such a common issue, Mitsubishi should be held accountable and issue an immediate recall on the system to fix it. Now I have no heat in the winter and the dealer wants $1000+ to fix the system that was never engineered properly.”
NHTSA complaint #10439728, filed 2011-12, 65,000 miles“I have a 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer and the temperature control knob in the vehicle has been difficult to turn since a couple of years ago and has since deteriorated. The knob broke off two weeks ago. I contacted my dealer who stated that I can not just change the knob I have to change the whole unit which will cost me around $ 400.00 plus services fees to install it. This should be a recall item, since heating (and cooling) a vehicle allows it to be operable during hot and cold temperatures. It is now beginning to get cold. …”
NHTSA complaint #10358985, filed 2010-10, 168,128 miles“I own a 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer (oz rally) that was purchased in 2002. During the last few months of 2009, I noticed my temperature control knob was becoming harder and harder to turn. On monday, march 1, 2010 it broke completely off, leaving a partial stub of plastic in the console and the remaining plastic inside the knob. I first went to two auto parts stores to see if they carried this replacement piece, and their personnel informed me I needed to have it repaired a Mitsubishi dealership. I then went to the Mitsubishi dealership to inquire about the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10316641, filed 2010-03, 100,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10170074Aug 28, 2015This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170087Dec 7, 2012This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10018940Dec 1, 2005Insufficient heater performance.
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 17% |
| 2016 | 1 | 3% |
| 2015 | 2 | 9% |
| 2012 | 2 | 11% |
| 2011 | 3 | 9% |
| 2010 | 6 | 12% |
| 2009 | 4 | 4% |
| 2008 | 2 | 2% |
| 2006 | 2 | 5% |
| 2005 | 1 | 4% |
| 2004 | 22 | 28% |
| 2003 | 76 | 38% |
| 2002 | 26 | 18% |
Other parts of the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer
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 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 29, 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