What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2004 Mitsubishi Lancer

Typical pattern

4% of complaints about the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2004 vehicle — around the middle of the 236 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 7.0 yr in service. The most-reported system is air bags (21 complaints), typically at 11.9 yr or about 83,000 miles.

Complaints
99
Median age at failure
7.0 yr
Median mileage
60,000 n=61
Crash / fire / tow
15.2% of reports
Safety recalls
7

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Air bags
21 reports · 83,000 mi
11.9 yr
9.5%
Visibility
21 reports · 73,249 mi
6.3 yr
0%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

18V220000 2018-04-05
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles that previously received a like-for-like passenger side frontal air bag inflator under recall 15V321 as interim remedy. Also recalled are 2004-2006 Lancer vehicles located in Guam or Saipan that previously received or never received a new inflator under 15V321 or 17V569. These passenger side frontal air bag inflators may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to explode in the event of an air bag deployment.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

17V569000 2017-09-14
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Lancer and Lancer Evolution vehicles and 2004 Lancer Sportback vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

16V458000 2016-06-23
Suspension:front:control arm:lower arm

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 me

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

09E025000 2009-05-11
Exterior lighting:headlights

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

06E064000 2006-07-17
Exterior lighting

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

06E023000 2006-03-13
Exterior lighting:headlights

CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

04V428000 2004-09-01
Equipment:other:labels

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.

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

In owners’ own words

Air bags mileage not reported 1.4 yr in service crash / fire / tow
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT COLLISION ACCIDENT. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY CONSUMER. *NM
Air bags 45,000 mi 3.2 yr in service
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED WITH THE ENGINE IDLING, THE DRIVER AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS REMOVED AND AN HOUR LATER WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, WHICH FRACTURED THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED, THE DEALER WAS ALERTED AND INDICATED THE PROBLEM WAS MOST LIKELY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT DUE TO FLOODING.
Air bags 36,400 mi 6.4 yr in service crash / fire / tow
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING OUT OF HER DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLES FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING FILLING THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WITH WHITE SMOKE. DUE TO THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG WHICH BLOCKED THE VISION OF THE CONTACT THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A NEARBY UTILITY POLE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO HER FACE AND BODY . A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND A REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 36400.
Visibility 73,249 mi 3.3 yr in service
HEATER KNOB STICKS, PREVENTING AC ADJUSTMENT TO HEAT FROM COOL. THIS PREVENTS DEFOGGER SYSTEM FROM EFFECTIVELY WORKING HAMPERING VISIBILITY, WHEN IT OCCURS WHILE DRIVING. *JB

Other Lancer model years

2016200920082006200420032002

How to read this