MitsubishiLancer20022.0L/mitsubishi/lancer/2002/2-0l/

2002 Mitsubishi Lancer — 2.0L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 Lancer 2.0L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.0LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0L is a compact passenger car built on Mitsubishi’s front‑wheel‑drive platform, powered by a 2.0‑liter inline‑four engine mated to a 4‑speed automatic transmission; it earns EPA ratings of 21 city, 27 highway, and 23 combined miles per gallon. While its modest powertrain keeps it efficient, the 2002 model’s most prominent shortfall—visibility—has been the top complaint area among owners, reflecting a broader trend of 155 total complaints and four recalls that year. Situated mid‑cycle in the Lancer’s 1996‑2017 reliability record, the 2002 Lancer sits just below the 2003 peak of 311 complaints, indicating a relatively stable but not flawless model year within the series.

Model year201520142013201220112010200920082002

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy21/27/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter MZ690072. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tire size4WD:P225-75R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterMZ690072
Engine air filterMR552951
Fuel filterMR552781
Spark plugMS851357 alt MS851728
Front wiper blades8250A536 alt MZ693015
Serpentine beltMD373622 alt MD373620
ThermostatMD337408

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length177.6 in
Overall width66.5 in
Overall height53.9 in
Wheelbase102.4 in
Curb weight2652 lb
Track (front / rear)57.9 / 57.5 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)62/38

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined21 / 27 / 23 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume94 cu ft
Cargo volume11 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent published road-test results.

8.8–10.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.80 sec — 2002 O-Z Racing Rally Edition
120 hpHorsepower (as tested)
130 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2002O-Z Racing Rally Edition 2.0L I-48.80 sec16.60 sec120 hpFWD
2002O-Z Racing Rally Edition 2.0L I-49.10 sec17.10 sec120 hpFWD
2002O-Z Racing Rally Edition 2.0L I-410.40 sec17.90 sec120 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Power Steering FluidGenuine Mitsubishi PS fluid
Power Steering FluidUse Mitsubishi PS fluid

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing5, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance3 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.17-1.26 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type56
Oil Capacity3.40 oz

Service checks

Engine Compression170-234 psi
Engine Compression139-185 psi
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket65 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle66-80 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.080; Rear: 0.080 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0024 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.945 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.945 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.88 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
At 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miDistributor Cap (inspect) · Distributor Rotor (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2002 model year initiates a dramatic escalation in the federal record, with complaints surging to 155 from just 1 in 2000, while recalls jumped from zero to four. This positions 2002 at the beginning of an arc that peaks in 2003 with 311 complaints and 7 recalls, followed by a gradual decline through 2004 and 2005. With 33 crash-related complaints and significant reporting in visibility, air bags, power train, and hydraulic service brakes—though the data does not specify underlying causes—2002 establishes the elevated baseline of reported issues for this generation. While complaint volume doubles in the following year, 2002 already shows substantial regulatory activity compared to the near-zero reporting of preceding years. Given its position at the start of the generation's highest-complaint period and the presence of four recalls, 2002 represents a moderate risk that foreshadows the more problematic 2003 model year.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
97
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
155
Owner complaints
33 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 155 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Visibility20
Air Bags19
Power Train18
Service Brakes, Hydraulic14
Engine & Engine Cooling14
Steering9
Suspension8
Unknown Or Other5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

04V428000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 01/09/2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE… Remedy: MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL…

16V458000Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower ArmReported 23/06/2016

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 97 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
DEALER LETTER2023-07-21EquipmentThis is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has…
TSB-23-00-0042023-04-24StructureThis Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for…
TSB-23-00-0012023-04-24EquipmentThis Technical Service Bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the…
DEALER LETTER2023-04-21EquipmentThis is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has…
TSB-22-54-0032022-04-07Exterior LightingThis Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Lancer. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2002 Lancer have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.0L get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined mpg.