MITSUBISHI LANCER RALLIART · model year

2009 MITSUBISHI LANCER RALLIART

33 NHTSA complaints, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2009MITSUBISHILANCER RALLIART carries 33 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2009 LANCER RALLIART is power train with 17 filings, followed by steering (4) and unknown or other (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 14 investigation files overlapping the 2009 LANCER RALLIART. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

33
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

33 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN17
STEERING4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
ENGINE2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM1
SUSPENSION1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM1
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY1

Recalls (2)

14V56200012/09/2014

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Lancer, Lancer Evolution, and Outlander; 2009-2011 Lancer Sportback, Lancer Rilliart, and Lancer Sportback Ralliart; and 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles. The affected vehicles, manufactured with 4B1 engines,

09V34900008/09/2009

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY

MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 LANCER EVOLUTION, RALLIART, AND SPORTBACK RALLIART VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TURBOCHARGED ENGINES. THE MANNER IN WHICH THE FUEL RETURN PIPE IS ATTACHED TO THE ENGINE, IN COMBINATION WITH FREQUENT VEHICLE OPERATION AT CERTAIN ENGINE REVOLUTIONS, MAY RESULT I

Recent Complaints

20190515POWER TRAIN

S-AWC PUMP HAS A CORRODIBLE HOUSING AND IS PLACED IN AN AREA THAT IS EXPOSED TO SALT AND WATER FROM THE REAR PASSENGER-SIDE WHEEL. THE PLACEMENT OF THE PUMP IS A DESIGN FLAW AND HAS LED TO SEVERE CORROSION OF THE PUMP HOUSING AND FAILURE OF THE PUMP. THE FAILURE OF THE PUMP COMPLETELY DISABLES BOTH THE ACTIVE CENTER DIFFERENTIAL AND THE ACTIVE YAW CONTROL SYSTEMS, BOTH OF WHICH ARE INTENDED TO ASSIST THE DRIVER IN CONTROLLING THE CAR UNDER ADVERSE HANDLING SITUATIONS.

Mileage: 100,000

20190320POWER TRAIN

MITSUBISHI LANCER DCT470 SST TRANSMISSION RECALL - MY TRANSMISSION LOST EVEN GEARS WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. THE CAR SELECTED A LOWER GEAR AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. I PULLED OVER TO TROUBLESHOOT AND EVENTUALLY MADE IT HOME. THIS COSTLY REPAIR FORCED ME TO BUY ANOTHER CAR AND HAVE SINCE LEFT THE REPAIR UNATTENDED. THIS IS A KNOWN MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE PROBLEM IS SO COMMON THAT A PETITION WAS STARTED TO HELP THOSE OTHERS THAT WERE ALSO AFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE. THE PROBLEM IS A SHIFT FORK MAGNET BECOMES DISLOCATED FROM THE BRACKET AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE TRANSMISSION TO SELECT EVEN GEARS. IN ORDER TO REPAIR, A SPECIALIST MUST DISASSEMBLE AND REBUILD THE CASE. IT IS NOT CAUSED FROM ANY MAINTENANCE NEGLECT NOR DRIVING HABIT OR ABUSE. IT CAN OCCUR IN ALL MODELS WITH THIS SPECIFIC TRANSMISSION. IT IS A WORLDWIDE ISSUE INCLUDING CANADA & AUSTRALIA. I HAVE NOT YET REPAIRED MY PERSONAL TRANSMISSION AND HOPE TO DO SO IN THE FUTURE. THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED SINCE THE INCIDENT OCC

Mileage: 90,000

20170715POWER TRAIN

TAKATA RECALL SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR THE ACD PUMP HAS BEEN FINE. BACK IN SEPTEMBER THE RED TRIANGLE CAME ON AND I DID SOME RESEARCH TO FIND OUT WHAT IT MEANT. I BARLEY DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE ISSUE. IT SEEMS SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM TOO. MITSUBISHI WANTS TO CHARGE ME $800-$1200 TO FIX IT. I REFUSE TO PAY THIS AMOUNT AFTER SEEING EVERYONE ELSE HAS THIS SAME ISSUE.

Mileage: 98,000

20160705POWER TRAIN

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND THE CAR STARTED ACTING STRANGE. IT WOULD ONLY SWITCH TO SELECT GEARS. I TOOK IT STRAIGHT TO A MITSUBISHI SERVICE WHERE THEY INFORMED ME THAT TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING. THEN THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $12000 TO REPAIR. THEY ALSO SAID THE CAR NEEDS A NEW AWD DIFFERENTIAL PUMP BUT THAT WOULD BE FREE. UPON MY RESEARCH AND WHAT ONE OF THE TECHS TOLD ME AWD PUMP CAN SCREW UP THE TRANSMISSION. HOW CAN THEY NOT COVER THE COST OF REPAIR FOR TRANSMISSION IF A FAULTY PART CAUSED IT.

Mileage: 81,300

20160705UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND THE CAR STARTED ACTING STRANGE. IT WOULD ONLY SWITCH TO SELECT GEARS. I TOOK IT STRAIGHT TO A MITSUBISHI SERVICE WHERE THEY INFORMED ME THAT TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING. THEN THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $12000 TO REPAIR. THEY ALSO SAID THE CAR NEEDS A NEW AWD DIFFERENTIAL PUMP BUT THAT WOULD BE FREE. UPON MY RESEARCH AND WHAT ONE OF THE TECHS TOLD ME AWD PUMP CAN SCREW UP THE TRANSMISSION. HOW CAN THEY NOT COVER THE COST OF REPAIR FOR TRANSMISSION IF A FAULTY PART CAUSED IT.

Mileage: 81,300

20150618POWER TRAIN

AS I WAS DRIVING MY CAR IT BEGAN TO JERK I PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF WHEN I STARTED IT AGAIN THE AWC LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS NOT FUNCTIONING AFTER WHEN PULLING OFF I NOTICED THE CAR DID NOT WANT TO SHIFT GEARS UNLESS IN MANUAL FOR SO THE SST HAD FAILED ON ME

Mileage: 84,000

20150618UNKNOWN OR OTHER

AS I WAS DRIVING MY CAR IT BEGAN TO JERK I PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF WHEN I STARTED IT AGAIN THE AWC LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS NOT FUNCTIONING AFTER WHEN PULLING OFF I NOTICED THE CAR DID NOT WANT TO SHIFT GEARS UNLESS IN MANUAL FOR SO THE SST HAD FAILED ON ME

Mileage: 84,000

20141114POWER TRAIN

4WD SERVICE REQUIRED LIGHT POPPED UP IMMEDIATELY WHEN ACCELERATING. ACD PUMP MAY HAVE FAILED. MITSUBISHI DOES NOT COVER THIS AS IT IS NOT "PART OF THE DRIVETRAIN". CAN BE DANGEROUS WHEN PUMP GOES OUT. *TR

Mileage: 44,000

20141111STEERING

I STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THE WHEN I WENT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN MY DASH BEGAN TO FLASH A "SERVICE REQUIRED" LIGHT AT ME. AFTER DOING SOME INVESTIGATION, IT TURNS OUT THAT IT IS AN EXTREMELY WELL KNOWN AND UNADDRESSED ISSUE WITH THE CAR'S ACD PUMP FAILING. IT'S A DESIGN FLAW THAT COSTS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX, BUT FAILURE OF THE PART IS PRACTICALLY GUARANTEED. WHY THERE'S NO RECALL YET IS COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

20141111POWER TRAIN

I STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THE WHEN I WENT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN MY DASH BEGAN TO FLASH A "SERVICE REQUIRED" LIGHT AT ME. AFTER DOING SOME INVESTIGATION, IT TURNS OUT THAT IT IS AN EXTREMELY WELL KNOWN AND UNADDRESSED ISSUE WITH THE CAR'S ACD PUMP FAILING. IT'S A DESIGN FLAW THAT COSTS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX, BUT FAILURE OF THE PART IS PRACTICALLY GUARANTEED. WHY THERE'S NO RECALL YET IS COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

20141111UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THE WHEN I WENT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN MY DASH BEGAN TO FLASH A "SERVICE REQUIRED" LIGHT AT ME. AFTER DOING SOME INVESTIGATION, IT TURNS OUT THAT IT IS AN EXTREMELY WELL KNOWN AND UNADDRESSED ISSUE WITH THE CAR'S ACD PUMP FAILING. IT'S A DESIGN FLAW THAT COSTS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX, BUT FAILURE OF THE PART IS PRACTICALLY GUARANTEED. WHY THERE'S NO RECALL YET IS COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

20141105ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI LANCER RALLIART. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V562000 (ENGINE) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER GAVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE WHICH WAS UNREASONABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO SPEAK TO A REPRESENTATIVE TO DETERMINE ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACTS VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE.

20140928POWER TRAIN

I STARTED MY CAR THE AWC SELECTION LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. AS I DROVE IT STOPPED FLASHING. THEN THE AWC SERVICE REQUIRED LIGHT CAME ON I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER THEY TURNED THE LIGHT OFF SAID IT WAS A ECU UPDATE. AS IT GOT WARM OUT IT CAME ON PERIODICALLY BUT WOULD TURN OFF. EVERY TIME I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. NOW THE LIGHT HAS COME ON AND STAYED ON. THE CODES ARE FOR PUMP FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 35,000

20140711EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

AWC PUMP FAILED AFTER ABOUT 20,000 MILES IN THE CAR. PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON FOR THE EVO X AND REALLIART MODELS 2008 AND AFTER. CAR DOES NOT HANDLE WELL WITH THIS SETTING AND IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THE WINTER BECAUSE CAN'T SET TO SNOW MODE. COST TO REPLACE IS AROUND $2K AND MITSU KEEPS STATING THIS IS NOT COVERED BY POWERTRAIN WARRANTY AND IS A MAINTENANCE ITEM. NEVER HEARD OF A $2K MAINTENANCE ITEMS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS THAT STATE THE CAUSE OF THIS IS THE WRONG TYPE OF OIL USED AND THE FACT THAT THE PART IS NOT MADE OF DURABLE MATERIAL CAUSING RUST AND FAILURE. SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW. PLEASE HELP. *TR

Mileage: 20,500

20140711POWER TRAIN

AWC PUMP FAILED AFTER ABOUT 20,000 MILES IN THE CAR. PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON FOR THE EVO X AND REALLIART MODELS 2008 AND AFTER. CAR DOES NOT HANDLE WELL WITH THIS SETTING AND IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THE WINTER BECAUSE CAN'T SET TO SNOW MODE. COST TO REPLACE IS AROUND $2K AND MITSU KEEPS STATING THIS IS NOT COVERED BY POWERTRAIN WARRANTY AND IS A MAINTENANCE ITEM. NEVER HEARD OF A $2K MAINTENANCE ITEMS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS THAT STATE THE CAUSE OF THIS IS THE WRONG TYPE OF OIL USED AND THE FACT THAT THE PART IS NOT MADE OF DURABLE MATERIAL CAUSING RUST AND FAILURE. SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW. PLEASE HELP. *TR

Mileage: 20,500

20140528ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH WHEN MY AWD SERVICE REQUIRED LIGHT CAME ON. STEERING /TRACTION ON THE CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY DIFFERENT AND NOT AS EASY AS NORMAL. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

20140528STEERING

I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH WHEN MY AWD SERVICE REQUIRED LIGHT CAME ON. STEERING /TRACTION ON THE CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY DIFFERENT AND NOT AS EASY AS NORMAL. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

20140528TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH WHEN MY AWD SERVICE REQUIRED LIGHT CAME ON. STEERING /TRACTION ON THE CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY DIFFERENT AND NOT AS EASY AS NORMAL. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

20140513POWER TRAIN

I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND MY AWC LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY AWD PUMP. I HAD TO PAY A $45.00 DIAGNOSTIC FEE FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT. I AM WORRIED THAT THE PUMP WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL COMPLETELY AND I WILL OUT OF LUCK. I KNOW THAT THE PUMP GOES BAD ON THESE CARS, AS I HAVE READ A TON OF DIFFERENT COMPLAINTS ABOUT THEIR RALLIART/EVO HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 57,200

20140512POWER TRAIN

AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK I GOT A SERVICE REQUIRED ON SCREEN, SHUT MY CAR OFF IT WENT AWAY. NEXT DAY DRIVING TO WORK SAME THING. IT CONSISTENTLY COMES ON WELL DRIVING AND GOES AWAY ON START UP. HAD AN ALIGNMENT DONE, BALANCED ALL TIRES AND NO CHANGE. SHOP INFORMED ME OF A CODE C161E. ACD PUMP FAILURE. MITSUBISHI STATED AS ITS OVER 60K MILES I HAVE NO POWER-TRAIN COVERAGE AND A NEW PUMP AND REPLACEMENT WAS AROUND $2000. KINDA STRANGE A PART THAT SEEMS TO HAVE SO MANY ISSUES ALL OVER THE US AND CANADA THE CAN'T DO A RECALL? *TR

Mileage: 63,442

Compare 2009MITSUBISHILANCER RALLIART to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2009 MITSUBISHI LANCER RALLIART have?
The 2009 MITSUBISHI LANCER RALLIART has 33 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2009 MITSUBISHI LANCER RALLIART?
Yes, the 2009 MITSUBISHI LANCER RALLIART has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 MITSUBISHI LANCER RALLIART?
The most-complained component for the 2009 MITSUBISHI LANCER RALLIART is POWER TRAIN with 17 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STEERING and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 2009 MITSUBISHI LANCER RALLIART safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.