Known Recalls

Model year record

2003 Mitsubishi Lancer

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 243 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V458000

Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm
Manufacturer
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
194,674
Reported to NHTSA
2016-06-23
Owners notified
2016-09-14

Defect description

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 Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.

Safety risk

A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V428000

Equipment: other: labels

Component
Equipment: other: labels
Manufacturer
MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN
Vehicles affected
100,432
Reported to NHTSA
2004-09-01

Defect description

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 DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Safety risk

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Manufacturer 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 CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Visibility2871,820 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2872,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1912,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly178,500 mi
Unknown or other1735,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1251,360 mi
Equipment1065,000 mi
Suspension9137,000 mi
Air bags: frontal713,000 mi
Electrical system7130,000 mi
Power train6141,000 mi
Structure: body64,000 mi
Visibility/wiper677,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission54,229 mi
Structure535,000 mi
Vehicle speed control518,000 mi
Steering: column3104,624 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel2—
Engine2—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner235,000 mi
Exterior lighting2165,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly2100,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)2—
Seat belts2500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic21,500 mi
Steering264,000 mi
Tires210,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control21,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core218,000 mi
Air bags1—
Child seat: tether: strap/webbing128,000 mi
Electrical system: horn1137,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition11,800 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash165,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)1137,000 mi
Electronic stability control: automatic (ASC)14,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine16,900 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1—
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift163,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline146,000 mi
Fuel system, other1100,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly: bell housing12,500 mi
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)12,500 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1—
Seat belts: front: retractor1—
Seat belts: rear/other128,000 mi
Service brakes, air: supply: check valve180,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder120,237 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1100,000 mi
Structure: body: bumpers1950 mi
Structure: frame and members1—
Suspension: rear145,000 mi
Visibility: windshield125,000 mi

The 2002 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2004 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

EA15001Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Air bags: frontal

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.