2003 Mitsubishi Lancer problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System (28) · Visibility (28) · Power Train:automatic Transmission (16)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mitsubishi Lancer model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
126 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm 2016-06-23 · campaign 16V458000 · 194,674 vehicles
Defect: 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 Co
Risk: A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (77)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-07-21 · DEALER LETTER · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a dealer letter sent to dealers informing that mitsubishi technical training has launched the 3rd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.
Structure 2023-04-24 · TSB-23-00-004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this technical service bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of rap-film adhesive residue.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-04-24 · TSB-23-00-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this technical service bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the reduction in load carrying capacity be affixed to vehicles when the total net weight of accessories is more than 1.5 percent of the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr) or 100 lbs.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-04-21 · DEALER LETTER · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a dealer letter sent to dealers informing that mitsubishi technical training has launched the 2nd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.
Unknown Or Other 2022-04-07 · TSB-22-54-003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this technical service bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by improper sealing or a defective/broken part.
Equipment 2019-11-26 · TT253 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a service newsletter (tech talk) that was sent out to dealers.
Showing the 6 most recent of 77 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-06-08 · Unknown Or Other“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 ris…”
2024-12-16 · Exterior Lighting“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.…”
2021-09-16 · Suspension“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 an…”
2019-12-02 · Vehicle Speed Control · 165,000 mi“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 wi…”
2019-09-26 · Engine“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 …”
2019-03-26 · Engine“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 rum…”
2018-10-06 · Visibility/Wiper · 83,000 mi“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…”
2018-10-03 · Suspension · 88,999 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.…”
2018-06-07 · Suspension · 247,000 mi“noticed suspension noise when going over speed bumps or potholes. sounds coming from the driver side lower control arm.…”
2018-03-22 · Unknown Or Other · 💥 crash“2003 mitsubishi lancer. consumer writes in regards to vehicle stalls and causes head-on collision. *smd *js…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.