2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Visibility7634.2%
- Transmission4319.4%
- Body & structure135.9%
- Other / unspecified115.0%
- Electrical115.0%
- Suspension104.5%
- Driver assistance94.1%
- Airbags83.6%
- Powertrain (other)83.6%
- Engine73.2%
- Brakes62.7%
- Steering62.7%
- Seat belts41.8%
- Tires & wheels31.4%
- Exterior lighting20.9%
- Fuel system20.9%
- Heating & air conditioning20.9%
- Interior & seats10.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE TWO ISSUES WHICH SEEM TO HAVE BOTH ALREADY BEEN REPORTED. 1. WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION WILL IDLE HIGH WHILE DRIVING, BUT THE VEHICLE IS NOT SPEEDING UP. THEN WITHOUT WARNING THE TRANSMISSION CATCHES, AND THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD. THIS IS A RANDOM ISSUE THAT HAPPENS DAILY WITH THE VEHICLE. SERVICING THE TRANSMISSION HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM AND CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM TO THIS DAY. 2.THE HEATER/AC CONTROL KNOW BECAME VERY DIFFICULTY TO CHANGE BETWEEN HEATER AND A/C. THE SWITCH HAS FINALLY BROKE OFF, AND NOW I'M UNABLE TO SWITCH BETWEEN HEATER AND A/C. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND THIS ALSO SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. I HAVE FOUND MOST OTHER AUTO OWNERS HAVE PAID FOR THE REPLACEMENT, BUT ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM OCCUR AGAIN. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON BOTH OF THESE ISSUES AND IS HAS BEEN REPORTED AS FAR BACK AS 2004, AND AT THIS POINT I DO SEE ANY RECALLS BY MITSUBISHI TO FIX EITHER OF THE PROBLEMS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER OZ RALLY(NA). THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER WAS LEAKING FLUID; THE FOLLOWING DAY THE CLUTCH PETAL WAS NO LONGER OPERABLE. THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 68,000. UPDATED 04/12/11*LJ
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE TWO ISSUES WHICH SEEM TO HAVE BOTH ALREADY BEEN REPORTED. 1. WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION WILL IDLE HIGH WHILE DRIVING, BUT THE VEHICLE IS NOT SPEEDING UP. THEN WITHOUT WARNING THE TRANSMISSION CATCHES, AND THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD. THIS IS A RANDOM ISSUE THAT HAPPENS DAILY WITH THE VEHICLE. SERVICING THE TRANSMISSION HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM AND CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM TO THIS DAY. 2.THE HEATER/AC CONTROL KNOW BECAME VERY DIFFICULTY TO CHANGE BETWEEN HEATER AND A/C. THE SWITCH HAS FINALLY BROKE OFF, AND NOW I'M UNABLE TO SWITCH BETWEEN HEATER AND A/C. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND THIS ALSO SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. I HAVE FOUND MOST OTHER AUTO OWNERS HAVE PAID FOR THE REPLACEMENT, BUT ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM OCCUR AGAIN. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON BOTH OF THESE ISSUES AND IS HAS BEEN REPORTED AS FAR BACK AS 2004, AND AT THIS POINT I DO SEE ANY RECALLS BY MITSUBISHI TO FIX EITHER OF THE PROBLEMS. *TR
MITSUBISHI 2003 HEATING KNOB IS NOT WORKING.. *TR
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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/
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.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH THAT DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONTAL DRIVER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIR BAG DID. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A POLICE IMPOUND AND WAS NOT EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. UPDATED 10/21/10. LJ THE CONSUMER CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. UPDATED 10/26/10*JB
WAS IN A 45 MPH REAR END COLLISION. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, BACK SEAT PASSENGER SEAT BELT AND TETHER CLIP FAILED. SONS CAR SEAT HIT THE BACK OF PASSENGER SEAT, LUCKILY I HAD ALREADY DROPPED IN OFF AT DAY CARE.*AK
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE DECIDED TO SHIFT TO LOW GEAR WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. IT SHIFT GEARS AUTOMATICALLY FOR NO REASON. *TR
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.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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?
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???
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON JAN. 10, 2011 I WAS DRIVING MY FRIENDS 2003 MITSUBISHI, LANCER. AS WE WERE LEAVING THE DOCTORS OFFICE PARKING LOT I ATTEMPTED TO STOP AT THE PARKING LOT EXIT, A SLIGHT INCLINE BEFORE A BUSY STREET. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS FIRM BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO ROLL FORWARD. EVEN THOUGH I WAS PRESSING THE BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD I WAS UNABLE TO STOP AND THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS SMASH BY A SEMI TRUCK. MY FRIEND AND I WERE UNHARMED BUT SHAKEN UP. AFTER CHECKING FOR RECALLS I CAN'T HELP BUT THINK THE BRAKE FAILURE WE EXPERIENCE IS THE SAME AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN #09V077000 FOR THE 2008-2009 MODEL OF THE MITSUBISHI LANCER. *TR
OUR 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER ES HAS ONLY 15,520 MILES ON IT AND WE'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I ASKED IF THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKES ON THIS MODEL OF MITSUBISHI, EXPLAINING THAT MY WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR AND IT IS PARKED IN A COVERED GARAGE, AS EVIDENCED BY THE EXCELLENT CONDITION AND LOW MILEAGE. I WAS TOLD THIS SEEMS TO BE LOW MILEAGE FOR THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS TO REQUIRE REPLACEMENT, BUT THAT HAPPENS. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
2003 LANCER OZ RALLY, STEERING COLUMN FELL DOWN IN MY LAP. FACTORY SAID TO BAD, OUT OF WARRANTY AND NO RECALL ISSUED. MY LOCAL DEALER WANTS 700+ DOLLARS TO FIX IT, THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS THE CAR ONLY HAS 64,000 MILES. *TR
WHEN DRIVING MY LANCER EITHER ON CITY OR HIGHWAY, IT REFUSES TO SHIFT. THE RPMS GO UP, BUT THE CAR WONT ACCELERATE. IT ACTUALLY SLOWS DOWN AS IF I'M PRESSING ON THE BRAKES (AND IM NOT) THEN OUT OF NOWHERE THE GEAR WILL SHIFT AND THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. IT DOES THIS ALL THE TIME. THE LAST TIME IT DID IT I RAN INTO A CAR. THIS IS A HUGE HAZARD. WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKES THE CAR ALMOST STOPS, THEN JUMPS FORWARD ABOUT 2 FEET BEFORE ACTUALLY STOPPING. THIS IS A HORRIBLE THING TO DO TO A DRIVER. THE CAR LITERALLY HAS A MIND OF IT'S OWN AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I'VE SEEN COMPLAINTS ABOUT OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND ALL OF THEM SAY THAT THEIR TRANSMISSION DIED COMPLETELY THUS LEAVING THEIR CAR PERMANENTLY MOTIONLESS. I CAN'T EVEN LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING THIS FIXED...I CAN ONLY LOOK FORWARD TO.....NOTHING. I CAN'T SELL THE CAR NOR GET A NEW ONE BECAUSE I'VE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY ON THIS LANCER AND NOTHING FIXES IT. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE BRAKE PADS, THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, THE TIRES, THE GAS PEDAL LINE, AND AIR IN THE BRAKES... I HAD ALL OF THESE THINGS REPLACE AND NO CHEAP COSTS AND IT'S STILL NOT FIXED. PLEASE! ORDER MITSUBISHI TO RECALL THIS DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION! IT SHOULD BE A CRIME TO SELL SUCH A DEFECTIVE AND DEADLY PRODUCT. MITSUBISHI SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED! ALSO, WHEN THE CAR'S RPMS ARE ABOVE 4000, THE POWER STEERING DIES AND I CANNOT TURN LEFT OR RIGHT, THUS I LOSE ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE HENDERSON NV DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NO TYPE OF RECALL AND EVERYTHING SHOULD BE FINE....I'VE NEARLY CRASHED AND PROBABLY COULD HAVE LOST MY LIFE COUNTLESS TIMES. COUNTLESS. MITSUBISHI SHOULD BE BANNED FROM MAKING VEHICLES IN AMERICA! *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEATBELTS, IN CARS& PICKUPS OF TODAY, THE CLIP ON THE RIGHT SIDE IS UNDER PERSON SETTING THERE, NO WAY TO FASTEN SEATBELT. IN OLDER CARS & PICKUPS IT STUCK UP WHERE YOU COULD FASTEN IT,IN MY WIFE'S CAR I CANNOT FASTEN IT, JUST CAN IN MY PICKUP. ALSO THE NEW DRIVING LIGHTS, ((ADD ONS)) WHEN PICKUPS COMES UP BEHIND YOU, NO WAY TO SEE, IT BLINDS YOU. REASON DEATH RATE HAS FALLEN,!!!! PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD GAS TO DRIVE AS MUCH!!!!!!!!!! LESS MILES, LESS DEATHS. HOPE YOU DO SOMETHING SEAT BELTS!!!! I'VE PAID MY LAST TICKET FOR NO SEAT BELT. IF I HAVE TO I'LL FILE A CIVIL RIGHTS CASE NEXT TIME I GET A TICKET, GET SEAT BELT LAW THREW OUT. I THINK BELTS SAVE LIVES, BUT THEY NEED TO BE MADE SAFE TO USE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, THANK YOU, HAVE A NICE DAY. *TR
WAS IN A 45 MPH REAR END COLLISION. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, BACK SEAT PASSENGER SEAT BELT AND TETHER CLIP FAILED. SONS CAR SEAT HIT THE BACK OF PASSENGER SEAT, LUCKILY I HAD ALREADY DROPPED IN OFF AT DAY CARE.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TIRE LOCATED ON PASSENGER FRONT SIDE OF VEHICLE IS SHOWING CRACKS BETWEEN THE TREAD AREA AND THE SIDEWALL. FOUR TIRES WERE PURCHASED ON 12/04/2009 AND WERE INSTALLED AT A LOCAL SEARS AUTO CENTER. CRACKS WERE NOTICED OCTOBER 23, 2010, AND APPEAR TO FOLLOW THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE TIRE IN THE AREA BETWEEN THE TREAD AND SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE. TO DATE, CRACKS WERE NOTICED ONLY ON THE ONE TIRE. TAKING VEHICLE TO LOCAL SEARS FACILITY TODAY, 10/26/2010, FOR REPLACEMENT. *TR
YOKOHAMA , AVID, P235/45R17, DOT EHX8BEM0803. CONSUMER STATED THE TIRES WORE OUT JUST ON REGULAR WEAR AND TEAR . THE TIRES WERE 9 MONTHS OLD WITH LESS THAN 10,000 MILES. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER OZ RALLY EDITION , SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAR ENGINE REVS TO 3000-4000 RPM. DOES NOT HAVE ABS SO YOU CAN STOP THE CAR, TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND YOU WILL FIND THE CAR ACCELERATING TO 50 MPH WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL. CAN BE FIXED BY REPLACING PN# MR578268 FOR $465( IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE) , A PART THAT IS ABOUT $30 TO $70 DOLLARS FOR ANY OTHER CAR. EVENT HAPPENS AT 3-4 MONTH INTERVALS. HAD TO GOOGLE ON INTERNET TO SOLVE PROBLEM. DEALERS WON'T ADMIT PROBLEM BUT HAVE THE OVERPRICED PART IN STOCK!
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THREE VALVES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE CAUSING AN EMISSIONS LEAK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC COVER CRACKED AND THE BOLTS WERE RUSTED AND CORRODED. ONE OF THE BOLTS SNAPPED OFF AND THE ENTIRE GAS TANK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. SHE PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR $1,500, BUT IT DOES NOT COVER THE FAILURE. THE REPAIR COST WOULD BE $1,500. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 46,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
AFTER PURCHASING MY VEHICLE I NOTICED TWO THINGS, ONE THAT IS TROUBLESOME AND THE OTHER A MAJOR INCONVENIENCE. ONE DAY AFTER STEPPING OUT OF MY VEHICLE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING WITH THE A/C ON I HEARD A LOUD RATTLING SOUND EVERY TIME THE A/C KICKED ON. I TOOK IT INTO A DEALERSHIP WHILE I WAS HAVING THEM CHECK MY TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB (THE OTHER PROBLEM) AND TOLD THEM ABOUT IT. THEY JUST PUT GREASE ON THE KNOB AND TOLD ME THAT THE A/C IS SUPPOSED TO SOUND LIKE THAT. WELL, JUST THIS LAST FALL MY A/C COMPRESSOR (I THINK IT IS THE COMPRESSOR) BLEW OUT AND STARTED SMOKING. I THOUGHT THAT THE FREON WAS EMPTY BUT IT IS NOT. IS THIS LEGITIMATE FOR A COMPLAINT? *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE HEATER KNOB ON MY MITSUBISHI LANCER WAS HARD TO TURN FROM HOT TO COLD FROM THE VERY FIRST TIME I GOT THE CAR WITH 65000 MILES. ONE DAY THE KNOB BROKE. I WENT TO THE OFFICIAL DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HEATING DASHBOARD PIECE AND I PAID OVER 400.00. THE KNOB EVEN AFTER THIS WAS NOT EASY TO TURN AND AFTER A YEAR AND A HALF BROKE AGAIN. NOW I FIND THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER NEVER MENTIONED THIS OR OFFERED ANY ALTERNATE SOLUTION WHEN I MENTIONED THE KNOB WAS STILL HARD. I CAN'T DEFROST MY WINDSHIELD SINCE I CANNOT CHANGE THE TEMPERATURE. MY WINDOWS GET ALL STEAMY AND I CAN'T SEE WHILE DRIVING. IF I TRY TO REACH UNDER THE DASHBOARD WHILE DRIVING TO MOVE THE PLASTIC PART THAT CONNECTS TO THE HEATER IS HAZARDOUS SINCE I HAVE TO BEND AND TRY TO REACH UNDER MY DASHBOARD. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL!! *KB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .