Equipment:other:labels
NHTSA campaign 04V428000 · 2004 · reported 09/01/2004
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System — runs 6.6× the fleet median for that category across the 409 model-years tracked on this site.
199Complaints
6Recalls
13Crashes
1Fires
13Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System (14.1% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System complaints here are 6.6× the median for that category across the 409 model-years tracked on this site.
1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System | 28 · 14.1% | No official action | — |
| Visibility | 28 · 14.1% | No official action | — |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 19 · 9.5% | No official action | — |
| Power Train:clutch Assembly | 17 · 8.5% | No official action | — |
| Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:windshield:electrical Heating Element | 12 · 6% | No official action | — |
| Equipment | 10 · 5% | Recalled | Recall 04V428000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 199 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 6 campaigns
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
NHTSA campaign 16V458000 · 2016 · reported 06/23/2016
A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 06E038000 · 2006 · reported 05/08/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting:headlights
NHTSA campaign 09E025000 · 2009 · reported 05/11/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting:headlights
NHTSA campaign 06E023000 · 2006 · reported 03/13/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 06E064000 · 2006 · reported 07/17/2006
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“THIS IS A HEALTH ISSUE FOR US BECAUSE MY HUSBAND HAS MS AND IS SENSITIVE TO HEAT ESPECIALLY, BUT ALSO CAN BE SENSITIVE TO COLD…”NHTSA complaint 10313826 — filed 02/24/2010 · VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
“CLIMATE CONTROL KNOB BROKE OFF ON MITSUBISHI ,FOUND TO HAPPEN ON LOTS OF THESE CARS, CANT DEFROST WINDOW. CANT SEE. SAFETY HAZARD?”NHTSA complaint 10295371 — filed 12/11/2009 · VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
“IN THE 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER ES THE CLIMATE CONTROL SWITCH THAT CONTROLS THE HEAT/COLD IS FAULTY. THE SWITCH HAS ALWAYS BEEN HARD TO TURN AND…”NHTSA complaint 10289366 — filed 10/22/2009 · VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 28 of 199 NHTSA complaints (14.1%), followed by visibility (28), power train:automatic transmission (19), power train:clutch assembly (17). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer have?
199 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 13 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 13 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer have any recalls?
Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 04V428000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer's reported problems?
1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
