2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Owner Complaints

The front subframe on the drivers side of the vehicle broke while maneuvering a right turn at a safe speed. This incident caused additional damage to the vehicle, with noticeable damage to the quarter panel. Additional damage is expected and may include the tie rod, wheel bearing, struts, sway bar link, etc. The driver and passenger were put at risk due to the severity of the break and the inability to move the vehicle. The speed of the vehicle may have prevented further risk to the driver and passenger at the time of the incident. The issue with the subframe was confirmed by an independent service center due to the lack of a Mitsubishi dealer is proximity. However, a Mitsubishi dealer was contacted but no response was received. It is believed that this issue is associated with the discovered Unrepaired Recalls associated with this VIN. A police officer arrived at the incident and a tow truck was ordered by the officer due to the danger of remaining in the location of the incident. The issue with the subframe first appeared on Sunday, May 31st 2026 with a noise produced by the vehicle while driving on unsmooth roads and through turns. The vehicle was inspected by an independent service center on Thursday, June 4th 2026 and significant erosion was discovered on the front subframe. A Mitsubishi dealer was contacted on Friday, June 5th 2026 and a voicemail was left. No contact was received. The incident occurred on Saturday, June 6th 2026. The vehicle and associated parts are available for inspection upon request.

NHTSA ID

11742724

Incident

Jun 6, 2026

Need to correct manufacture recalls. Car has 262000 miles. Actual owner in my family. Want to correct issues before accident happens. I have very poor vision when driving because of car head lights being foggy.

NHTSA ID

11630953

Incident

Dec 16, 2024

The faulty control arm issue was repaired in 2017. When I went in for a front end alignment on 9/14/2021 they noticed that the control arms were rusting through. I live in Wisconsin and noticed that there is a recall on 2007 lancers for a similar problem where the control arms were not replaced with zinc coated control arms for protection from anti icing agents used on the roads. Does this recall extend to the 2003 lancers.09/14/

NHTSA ID

11433196

Incident

Sep 14, 2021

THE AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATER CONTROLS KNOBS ON DASHBOARD. DO NOT TURN. CAN'T. ADJUST TEMPERATURE ELECTRICAL CERCUIT IN THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM HAS LOW VOLTAGE THAT CAUSES THE ENGINE.LIGHT TO CPME ON AND TURN OFF AT RANDOM. THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY WEEK IN LUMINS. WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND CITY STREETS , THE CAR ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN WITHOUT. ME PUSHING. ON THE FOOT PEDEL.. THE SUNROOF MOTER CAME UNATTENDED ON IT OWN.

NHTSA ID

11286324

Incident

Jan 5, 2019

Mileage

165,000 mi

2 YEARS AGO I BROUGHT A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER FOR MY CAR FROM DE DEALERSHIP. THAT COST ME 496.76$ FEW MONTHS AGO THE CHECK ENGINE TURN IN AND WHEN I CHECK I HAVE THE CODE P0421. THAT IS THE CODE FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AGAIN. I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT. I WHEN TO MITSUBISHI 2 DAYS AGO AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULDN'T BELIEVE IT BECAUSE I'M THE FIRST CLIENT THAT COMES BACK FOR THE SAME PART. ONE OF THE EMPLOYEES CHECK MY CAR AND HE SAID THAT MY CAR IS BURNING OIL. HE TOLD ME THAT I HAVE TO CHANGE THE VALVE LIFTER. DO I REALLY NEED TO DO THAT THEN BUY A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER?

NHTSA ID

11258370

Incident

Aug 12, 2017

OK EVER SINCE THE GASKET WENT BAD AND REPLACED THE GASKET ON THE LANCER THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS BEEN GIVING ME ISSUES NOT JUST GAS BUT ISSUES SOUNDS AND PINGS IN THE ENGINE PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT'S THE ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE I KNOW THERE IS SOME TYPE OF RECALL ON THIS EXACT STYLE OF VEHICLE AWHILE BACK THANKS. AFTER 45 MPH OR SO JOLTS AND RUMBLES???

NHTSA ID

11191525

Incident

Mar 17, 2019

THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB BROKE OFF. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. THE ARM INSIDE CAN BE TURNED WITH A NEEDLE NOSE PLIERS, BUT ONLY TOWARDS THE COLD/AC SIDE. IT STOPS WHEN TURNED TOWARDS THE HEAT SIDE AND WILL NOT GO- FEELS AS THOUGH IT COULD BREAK IF IT WAS FORCED. THIS IS EXTREMELY CONCERNING AS IT IS ABOUT TO BE WINTER IN MINNESOTA AND WITH NO HEAT, THERE IS NO DEFROSTER FOR WINDSHIELD OR REAR WINDOW. I AM VERY WORRIED. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION ONLINE WITH OTHER OWNERS OF THE 2003 LANCER, I FOUND OUT THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND I AM LEAD TO BELIEVE IT IS A PROBLEM WITH MITSUBISHI'S DESIGN THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. IF I DO NOT HAVE A DEFROSTER I AM IN DANGER AND I AM VERY WORRIED. IT IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE IN THIS STATE TO NOT HAVE HEAT. TEMPERATURES DROP BELOW -10F DEGREES EVERY YEAR AND OFTEN AS LOW AS -30F. I AM CALLING ON THE GOOD PEOPLE OF THE NHTSA FOR HELP. WINTER IS COMING AND I NEED MY DEFROSTER. PLEASE HELP ME.

NHTSA ID

11138804

Incident

Sep 18, 2018

Mileage

83,000 mi

UPPER/LOWER CONTROL ARMS, AND FRONT THE WHOLE FRONT SUPENSION SYSTEM IS MAKING A LOT OF CREAKING AND SOUNDS LIKE IT WILL BREAK WHEN DRIVING.

NHTSA ID

11133033

Incident

May 3, 2016

Mileage

88,999 mi

NOTICED SUSPENSION NOISE WHEN GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS OR POTHOLES. SOUNDS COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM.

NHTSA ID

11100376

Incident

Jun 5, 2018

Mileage

247,000 mi

2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE STALLS AND CAUSES HEAD-ON COLLISION. *SMD *JS

NHTSA ID

10910394

Incident

Aug 1, 2011

TAKATA RECALL. ON FRONT DRIVER SIDE THE CONTROL ARM/SUBFRAME IS RUSTED/RUSTING OUT REALLY BAD. THERE IS A WHOLE THE SIZE OF A FIST WHERE THE CONTROL ARM ATTACHES TO THE FRAME.

NHTSA ID

11053604

Incident

Mar 3, 2017

THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BECAME DETACHED RESULTING IN THE INABILITY TO DEIVE THE CAR! I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIPS AND THEY HAVE BASICALLY BEEN INCORPORATED TO HELPING FIX THE RECALL!!!! I DO NOTBDRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE I LOOSE CONTROL OF IT

NHTSA ID

10969322

Incident

Mar 25, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000 (SUSPENSION). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 01/25/2017*CT UPDATED 7/12/18*JB

NHTSA ID

10928994

Incident

Dec 1, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10928360

Incident

Aug 19, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD SUDDENLY FRACTURED RENDERING THE VEHICLE NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 193,200.

NHTSA ID

10905681

Incident

Sep 10, 2016

Mileage

193,200 mi

THE TEMPERATURE KNOB BROKE EASILY BECAUSE IT WAS HARD TO TURN MAKING THE DEFROSTER IMPOSSIBLE TO USE WHICH IS A SAFETY HAZARD. FURTHERMORE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ALWAYS FAULTY TO BEGIN WITH BUT NOW IT ISN'T EVEN USABLE. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ALSO LOVES TO LURCH INTO 3RD GEAR WHILE SLOWING DOWN AT THE SAME TIME AND THEN JUMPING BACK INTO THE SPEED I WAS PREVIOUSLY GOING. THIS ISSUE USUALLY HAPPENS AT SPEEDS LOWER THAN 50 MPH.

NHTSA ID

10822669

Incident

Jan 11, 2016

Mileage

20 mi

WHEN I DRIVE MY 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER ES AT 20 MPH AND 40 MPH AND WANT TO INCREASE THE SPEED AND PRESS THE GAS PEDAL, THE RPM OF THE CAR WILL INCREASE AND THE SPEED OF THE CAR WILL DECREASE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE SPEED WILL INCREASE AS IF THE GEARS IN THE AUTO TRANSMISSION JUST ENGAGED. I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT

NHTSA ID

10745685

Incident

Jul 28, 2015

VEHICLE DECIDED TO SHIFT TO LOW GEAR WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. IT SHIFT GEARS AUTOMATICALLY FOR NO REASON. *TR

NHTSA ID

10701622

Incident

Mar 20, 2015

Mileage

149,000 mi

AIRBAG HORN DOESN'T WORK I CHANGED THE CLOCK SPRING BUT STILL DOESN'T WORK, SUSPENSION IS TERRIBLE I FELL LIKE I AM GOING TO CRASH. THE HEATER ALSO DOESN'T WORK AND THE CONTROL KNOB IS NOT WORKING. *JS

NHTSA ID

10661840

Incident

Dec 2, 2014

Mileage

137,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL FAILED TO SWITCH FROM AIR CONDITIONER TO HEAT. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10659849

Incident

Nov 17, 2014

HEATER/AC KNOB BROKE OFF, UNABLE TO SWITCH TO HEAT, KNOB HAS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN, INVESTIGATING PROBLEM AND HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON EVENT WITH MITSUBISHI VEHICLES DURING THIS RELEASE. WONDERING IF MITSUBISHI HAS ISSUED A RECALL TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. HAVE FOUND ITS GOING TO BE VERY PRICEY TO FIX, LIVING ON A FIXED INCOME AND UNABLE TO AFFORD THE FIX. HAVE HAD THE CAR 14 YEARS BOUGHT IT IN 2002 OFF THE SHOWROOM FLOOR NOT READY TO GIVE IT UP... *TR

NHTSA ID

10654256

Incident

Nov 20, 2012

Mileage

52,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CLUTCH FAILED TO FUNCTION AND THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE . THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID

10536801

Incident

Jul 22, 2013

Mileage

150,000 mi

THE CLIMATE CONTROL KNOB WAS HARD TO TURN AND FINAL BROKE SO I CAN'T USE MY CAR IN THE WINTER BECAUSE I CAN'T TURN IT TO HEAT AND I HAVE 2 YOUNG CHILDREN. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL THIS HAS APPENDED TO THOUSANDS AND ITS A SAFETY HAZARD IN MULTIPLY WAYS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10534780

Incident

Dec 3, 2012

FIRST OCCURRENCE HAPPENED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE A CONVENIENCE STORE. CLUTCH WENT TO FLOOR OF VEHICLE, AND DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG. SINCE 1ST OCCURRENCE IT HAS HAPPENED REGULARLY APPROXIMATELY EVERY 3-4 WEEKS. FOR THE LAST 8 YEARS. CLUTCH BECOME SPONGY AND REQUIRES ME TO REFILL MASTER CYLINDER WITH BRAKE FLUID. SEVERAL OCCASIONS I HAVE BEEN DRIVING WHEN THE OCCURRED. CAR LOSES ABILITY TO SHIFT DUE TO CLUTCH NOT ENGAGING GEARS. I MUST BE ATTENTIVE TO FLUID LEVELS TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING. HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS SLAVE CYLINDER PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10532271

Incident

Sep 12, 2005

Mileage

45,000 mi

THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB WAS VERY HARD TO TURN ON THE AC/HEATER MODULE AND EVENTUALLY BROKE OFF. A FAILURE OF THE TEMPERATURE SELECTION COULD RESULT IN INABILITY TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD PROPERLY, RESULTING IN UNSAFE DRIVING ENVIRONMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10511594

Incident

May 12, 2013

Mileage

180,000 mi