2007 Mitsubishi Lancer problems
The Mitsubishi Lancer is an automobile produced by the Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi Motors since 1973.
The Lancer has been marketed as the Colt Lancer, Dodge Colt, Plymouth Colt, Chrysler Valiant Lancer, Chrysler Lancer, Eagle Summit, Hindustan Lancer, Soueast Lioncel, and Mitsubishi Mirage in various countries at different times, and has been sold as the Mitsubishi Galant Fortis in Japan since 2007. It has also been sold as Mitsubishi Lancer Fortis in Taiwan with a different facelift than the Galant Fortis. In Japan, it was sold at a specific retail chain called Car Plaza.
Between its introduction in 1973 and 2008, over six million units were sold. There have been ten generations of Lancers.
Mitsubishi ended production of the Lancer in August 2017 worldwide, with the exception of Taiwan and China. An extensive facelift was given to the car by Pininfarina's Chinese offices.
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Common 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer problems
The Mitsubishi Lancer 2007 is known for several common problems that affect its owners. This article will discuss these issues in detail, based on the complaints from the owners of this car.
1. Brakes not working
The brake pedal may become hard on early production models, preventing the vehicle from stopping. This issue is due to a defective brake booster vacuum check valve, which affects the booster operation. This can be a significant safety issue, making it essential to check this valve.
2. Steering pulling to one side
Complaints about steering pulling to one side are common among Lancer owners, especially for all-wheel-drive cars. The cause of this annoying problem is the suspension complexity and the inability of some workshops to deal with it. Having a set of new tires and a wheel alignment done by a reputable workshop is the only way to deal with this issue.
3. Blower motor operation and control
Problems with the blower motor operation and control are widespread in this generation of Lancers. These issues range from the inability to adjust the fan speed to the ventilation not working. Before blaming this on the blower motor, it’s worth checking a resistor controlling the speed.
4. Paint chips away easily
Many drivers who spend most of their time on the motorway complain that the paint on their Lancers chips away easily. The problem is the paint itself, as the clear coat seems too soft compared to other manufacturers. As a result, the paint is more susceptible to mechanical damage. Being an inherent problem from the factory, all drivers can do is add aftermarket protection to their cars.
5. Check engine light and 'slow down' warning
Some Lancer owners complain about a check engine light coming on with a 'slow down' warning message. This issue is due to a faulty transmission control module (TCM), which can cause the gearbox to overheat in certain situations. Replacing the TCM is the only reliable solution.
6. Squeaking noise from the engine bay
Car owners with Lancers with a 4B1 engine can notice a periodic squeaking noise from the engine bay while driving. This noise is more prominent on cold days, and the pitch will follow the engine speed changes. This happens because of an excessive slack within the serpentine belt assembly, which drives the alternator, power steering, AC, and cooling pump. Because the root of the problem is a worn belt tensioner, replacing it with a serpentine belt is necessary.
7. Engine stalling or cutting off
There are many reported cases of Lancer’s stalling or even cutting off. This would happen when accelerating from a standstill or cruising at a constant speed. Among other standard causes, it is possible to have a faulty MAP sensor that gives incorrect signals. Monitoring sensor operation using a diagnostic tool with live data features gives a better insight. Another possibility is a clogged throttle body, with build-ups obstructing proper operation.
8. Automatic gearbox problems
The automatic gearboxes on this car are known for having issues with changing the gears. If you are finding that they are changing hesitantly, or that the gears are slipping, you will need a replacement gearbox. These automatic gearboxes are sealed units, which means the whole gearbox needs changing.
9. Engine overheating and battery charge loss
The engine is overheating, and you are losing battery charge quickly. Steering may also become harder. The drive belt may be made of the wrong material, which caused a recall of the Lancers built between December 2007 and February 2009. The belt will be worn at an angle, forcing it off the pulleys, which is causing the problems. Order a replacement drive belt from our parts list and replace it.
10. Front cross-member corrosion
The front cross-member of the Lancer is prone to corrosion, which can cause significant problems if left unchecked. This issue is more common in areas with heavy salt usage on the roads. Regular inspections and maintenance can help prevent this issue.
11. Premature brake wear
Some Lancer owners have reported premature brake wear, which can lead to safety concerns and increased maintenance costs. This issue is more common in areas with hilly terrain or heavy stop-and-go traffic.
12. A squealing noise coming from the back
There are frequent complaints about noises coming from the back of the car while driving. This ranges from random squeals to noticeable cracks and bangs when going over bumps. Although this noise is quite noticeable when driving, most workshops cannot replicate it while tracking the source. Although Mitsubishi never addressed this, independent workshops discovered that stock control arm bushings cause this issue. Replacing control arms with new OEM or reputable aftermarket ones cures this annoying problem.
13. Slow but constant coolant loss and sporadic steam coming from under the hood
Later cars of this generation have an issue with slow but constant coolant loss and sporadic steam coming from under the hood. The cause of this problem is the microscopic fractures on the radiator housing that expand with time. Tracking that down in the initial phases is hard, as it causes a very small leak while the car is cooling down. As time passes, vibrations and pressure cause the fractures to expand, allowing small amounts of steam to escape. There is no repair, so replacing the radiator with an updated model is the only option.
14. Uncontrolled and unintentional acceleration
Lancer drivers can experience something that is called uncontrolled and unintentional acceleration. This will manifest itself as an increase in engine speed, although there is no such requirement from the driver. Scenarios like this may happen to range from motorway cruising to idling at a standstill. However, situations that included low-speed maneuvers proved the most dangerous, as they didn’t allow much reaction time. A glitch causes this issue in the electronically controlled throttle valve operation.
In conclusion, while the Mitsubishi Lancer 2007 is a reliable vehicle, it is not without its common problems. These issues can range from minor annoyances to significant safety concerns, making it essential for owners to be aware of them and take appropriate action when necessary. Regular maintenance and inspections can help prevent many of these issues, while prompt attention to any warning signs can help minimize their impact.
2007 Mitsubishi Lancer car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Mitsubishi Lancer problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Electrical system problems
- Exterior lighting problems
- Air bags problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2007 Mitsubishi Lancer complaints
The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2015-11-28
- VIN: JA3AJ26E47U
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT TURN OFF EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. COOLING AND HEATING SYSTEM WILL NOT TURN OFF EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. THE HEATER WILL NOT HEAT VEHICLE.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2014-11-24
- VIN: JA3AJ66F45U
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V752000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
2007 Mitsubishi Lancer recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer.
- Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
- Components: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
- Summary: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2002-2007 Lancer, 2004 Lancer Wagon, 2003-2006 Lancer Evolution, 2003-2006 Outlander and 2007-2013 Outlander V-6 vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, 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 the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
- Consequence: A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied or the front cross member will be replaced with a new one that has a sealing/anti-corrosion agent applied to it. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-003.
- Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Lancer and Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured June 29, 2005, to June 19, 2007, equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 19, 2016. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-002.
- Manufacturer: DOPE, INC.
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
- Summary: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
- Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
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