2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Nov 24, 2020 · 2 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Lancer Evolution years
Not enough data 11th of 13 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. That ranks 11th out of 13 Lancer Evolution model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (1 complaints, 50%), typically at around 90,000 miles. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
2008-2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution photographed in College Park, Maryland , USA.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Engine1 · ~90,000 mi
Tires1
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Engine150%90,000——
Tires150%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution recalls (5)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Visibility:sun/moon roof assemblyJan 26, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V071000 · 56,641 vehicles

Problem: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Outlander, 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Evolution, and 2010 Lancer Sportback vehicles equipped with sunroofs. The sunroof glass may detach from the sunroof assembly, becoming a road hazard to other vehicles.

Risk: If the sunroof glass detaches from the assembly while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sunroof glass assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-003.

Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and associated pulleysSep 12, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V562000 · 165,923 vehicles

Problem: 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, have an engine pulley and belt arrangement for turning the alternator, the cooling fan and the power steering pump (if equipped). These pulleys may experience unusual wear and allow for belt detachment.

Risk: If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the drive belt with a rubber belt. Drive pulleys that are excessively worn will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 15, 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-009.

Power train:manual transmissionSep 19, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V446000 · 10,474 vehicles

Problem: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured from December 12, 2007, through March 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the clutch master cylinder can fail.

Risk: Failure of the clutch master cylinder reduces the ability to shift the vehicle into or out of gear, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected clutch master cylinders free of charge. The recall began on November 12, 2013. Owners may contact Mitsubishi at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's campaign number for this recall is SR-13-009.

Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactiveNov 5, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V435000 · 29,353 vehicles

Problem: Mitsubishi is recalling model year 2008-2009 lancer and lancer evolution vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia, wisconsin and district of columbia. In areas where heavy road salt is used in the winter, a long term exposure to a mixture of melted snow with salt thrown up by the other vehicles on the road may cause a water-salt mixture to adhere to the front impact sensors.

Risk: This coating over time may cause corrosion of the sensor. In the event of a vehicle crash of the type that would deploy the airbags this type of short-circuit may cause a delay in the deployment of the airbags which could result in driver or passenger injury.

Fix: Dealers will install new front airbag sensors that have improved corrosion resistance. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on november 27, 2009. Owners may contact mitsubishi customer relations department at 1-888-648-7820.

Fuel system, other:deliverySep 8, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V349000 · 6,903 vehicles

Problem: 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 in a resonance that, if continued over time, may cause a stress crack to develop at the fixed portion of the fuel pipe.

Risk: If this stress crack develops, fuel leakage may occur. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

Fix: The fuel return pipe will be replaced with a new part and two additional attachment brackets will be installed to better control fuel pipe vibration. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall began on september 29, 2009. Owners may contact mitsubishi at 1-888-648-7820.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 mitsubishi lancer evolution. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle stalled while turning the steering wheel. The contact stated that the drive belt was making a loud squeaking noise. The vehicle was taken to universal mitsubishi (1125 central ave, duarte, ca…

Engine · received Nov 24, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11376190

The side wall cracked on my tires after two years of use, i needed to replace them.

Tires · received Apr 1, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11319991

Other Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution years

← 2008 Lancer Evolution · 2010 Lancer Evolution →

See all Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution problems by year, every Mitsubishi model, or the Mitsubishi VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution?

Owners most often report engine, tires problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 1 complaint.

Was there a recall on the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution?

Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Lancer Evolution model years, the 2009 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.