Mitsubishi / Lancer / 2003
2003 Mitsubishi Lancer problems
Owners have filed 242 complaints about the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer with NHTSA. Visibility accounts for 29.3% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of power train at 21.9%.
Complaints242
Crashes17
Fires2
Injuries17
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Visibility 29.3% · 71
Power train 21.9% · 53
Unknown or other 6.6% · 16
Equipment 5.4% · 13
Structure 5.4% · 13
Electrical system 5.0% · 12
Suspension 4.1% · 10
Air bags 3.3% · 8
Severity
Of those complaints, 17 describe a crash, 2 describe a fire and 17 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 4 model years of the Mitsubishi Lancer in this data, 2003 draws the most complaints of any of them.
Filings have fallen off, 3 in the last three years against 15 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 52,000 miles.
In owners' own words
No heat/defrost in Mitsubishi Lancer (2003) usually, its kind of hard to turn, but if you twist the knob fast enough, you'll hear this sliding sound behind the center console signifying the change from cold to heat. The knob is no longer doing that, no matter how I turn it. I will turn it the full 180 degrees, and it won't "pop" into place" and it'll end up turning back to about 160 degrees (the dial location). Visibility · reported at 200,000 miles
Heating control does not turn. Part number mn185137hc is broken. I was told by mistubishi dealer in san jose, ca that the part is defective and commonly breaks in lancers. He said it should be recalled but Mitsubishi has not done so. Estimated cost of repair was $300 for a new controller assembly part, $80 to fix air vents so that dust does not spew, and another $600 in labor costs for a total of $980. Visibility
The consumer experienced sudden acceleration . The consumer stated that when applying the brakes, the vehicle accelerated. The consumer contacted the manufacturer, who also was at a loss for an explanation as to why this defect occurred. *Ak the accelerator pedal would stick, the heater controls would bind up when turned on and at times the accelerator pedal would go to the floor. *Sc Visibility · reported at 18,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…