2003 Mitsubishi Lancer

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 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.

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

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.

Defect. 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.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Defect. 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.

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

Remedy. TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

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

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

Remedy. ALFAOTTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ALFAOTTO AT 626-656-2992 OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.ALFAOTTO.COM.

Defect. 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."

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

Remedy. ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

Defect. 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.

Risk. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

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.

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 risk due to the severity of the break and the inability to move the vehicle. The speed of the vehicle may have prevented further risk to the driver and passenger at the time of the incident. The issue with the subframe was confirmed by an independent service center due to the lack of a Mitsubishi dealer is proximity. However, a Mitsubishi dealer was contacted but no response was received. It is believed that this issue is associated with the discovered Unrepaired Recalls associated with this VIN. A police officer arrived at the incident and a tow truck was ordered by the officer due to the danger of remaining in the location of the incident. The issue with the subframe first appeared on Sunday, May 31st 2026 with a noise produced by the vehicle while driving on unsmooth roads and through turns. The vehicle was inspected by an independent service center on Thursday, June 4th 2026 and significant erosion was discovered on the front subframe. A Mitsubishi dealer was contacted on Friday, June 5th 2026 and a voicemail was left. No contact was received. The incident occurred on Saturday, June 6th 2026. The vehicle and associated parts are av

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.

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 anti icing agents used on the roads. Does this recall extend to the 2003 lancers.09/14/

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 WITHOUT. ME PUSHING. ON THE FOOT PEDEL.. THE SUNROOF MOTER CAME UNATTENDED ON IT OWN.

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 FIRST CLIENT THAT COMES BACK FOR THE SAME PART. ONE OF THE EMPLOYEES CHECK MY CAR AND HE SAID THAT MY CAR IS BURNING OIL. HE TOLD ME THAT I HAVE TO CHANGE THE VALVE LIFTER. DO I REALLY NEED TO DO THAT THEN BUY A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER?

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 RUMBLES???

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, THERE IS NO DEFROSTER FOR WINDSHIELD OR REAR WINDOW. I AM VERY WORRIED. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION ONLINE WITH OTHER OWNERS OF THE 2003 LANCER, I FOUND OUT THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND I AM LEAD TO BELIEVE IT IS A PROBLEM WITH MITSUBISHI'S DESIGN THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. IF I DO NOT HAVE A DEFROSTER I AM IN DANGER AND I AM VERY WORRIED. IT IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE IN THIS STATE TO NOT HAVE HEAT. TEMPERATURES DROP BELOW -10F DEGREES EVERY YEAR AND OFTEN AS LOW AS -30F. I AM CALLING ON THE GOOD PEOPLE OF THE NHTSA FOR HELP. WINTER IS COMING AND I NEED MY DEFROSTER. PLEASE HELP ME.

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.

NOTICED SUSPENSION NOISE WHEN GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS OR POTHOLES. SOUNDS COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM.

2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE STALLS AND CAUSES HEAD-ON COLLISION. *SMD *JS

TAKATA RECALL. ON FRONT DRIVER SIDE THE CONTROL ARM/SUBFRAME IS RUSTED/RUSTING OUT REALLY BAD. THERE IS A WHOLE THE SIZE OF A FIST WHERE THE CONTROL ARM ATTACHES TO THE FRAME.

THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BECAME DETACHED RESULTING IN THE INABILITY TO DEIVE THE CAR! I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIPS AND THEY HAVE BASICALLY BEEN INCORPORATED TO HELPING FIX THE RECALL!!!! I DO NOTBDRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE I LOOSE CONTROL OF IT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000 (SUSPENSION). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 01/25/2017*CT UPDATED 7/12/18*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD SUDDENLY FRACTURED RENDERING THE VEHICLE NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 193,200.

THE TEMPERATURE KNOB BROKE EASILY BECAUSE IT WAS HARD TO TURN MAKING THE DEFROSTER IMPOSSIBLE TO USE WHICH IS A SAFETY HAZARD. FURTHERMORE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ALWAYS FAULTY TO BEGIN WITH BUT NOW IT ISN'T EVEN USABLE. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ALSO LOVES TO LURCH INTO 3RD GEAR WHILE SLOWING DOWN AT THE SAME TIME AND THEN JUMPING BACK INTO THE SPEED I WAS PREVIOUSLY GOING. THIS ISSUE USUALLY HAPPENS AT SPEEDS LOWER THAN 50 MPH.

WHEN I DRIVE MY 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER ES AT 20 MPH AND 40 MPH AND WANT TO INCREASE THE SPEED AND PRESS THE GAS PEDAL, THE RPM OF THE CAR WILL INCREASE AND THE SPEED OF THE CAR WILL DECREASE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE SPEED WILL INCREASE AS IF THE GEARS IN THE AUTO TRANSMISSION JUST ENGAGED. I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT

VEHICLE DECIDED TO SHIFT TO LOW GEAR WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. IT SHIFT GEARS AUTOMATICALLY FOR NO REASON. *TR

AIRBAG HORN DOESN'T WORK I CHANGED THE CLOCK SPRING BUT STILL DOESN'T WORK, SUSPENSION IS TERRIBLE I FELL LIKE I AM GOING TO CRASH. THE HEATER ALSO DOESN'T WORK AND THE CONTROL KNOB IS NOT WORKING. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL FAILED TO SWITCH FROM AIR CONDITIONER TO HEAT. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

HEATER/AC KNOB BROKE OFF, UNABLE TO SWITCH TO HEAT, KNOB HAS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN, INVESTIGATING PROBLEM AND HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON EVENT WITH MITSUBISHI VEHICLES DURING THIS RELEASE. WONDERING IF MITSUBISHI HAS ISSUED A RECALL TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. HAVE FOUND ITS GOING TO BE VERY PRICEY TO FIX, LIVING ON A FIXED INCOME AND UNABLE TO AFFORD THE FIX. HAVE HAD THE CAR 14 YEARS BOUGHT IT IN 2002 OFF THE SHOWROOM FLOOR NOT READY TO GIVE IT UP... *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CLUTCH FAILED TO FUNCTION AND THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE . THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

THE CLIMATE CONTROL KNOB WAS HARD TO TURN AND FINAL BROKE SO I CAN'T USE MY CAR IN THE WINTER BECAUSE I CAN'T TURN IT TO HEAT AND I HAVE 2 YOUNG CHILDREN. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL THIS HAS APPENDED TO THOUSANDS AND ITS A SAFETY HAZARD IN MULTIPLY WAYS. *TR

FIRST OCCURRENCE HAPPENED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE A CONVENIENCE STORE. CLUTCH WENT TO FLOOR OF VEHICLE, AND DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG. SINCE 1ST OCCURRENCE IT HAS HAPPENED REGULARLY APPROXIMATELY EVERY 3-4 WEEKS. FOR THE LAST 8 YEARS. CLUTCH BECOME SPONGY AND REQUIRES ME TO REFILL MASTER CYLINDER WITH BRAKE FLUID. SEVERAL OCCASIONS I HAVE BEEN DRIVING WHEN THE OCCURRED. CAR LOSES ABILITY TO SHIFT DUE TO CLUTCH NOT ENGAGING GEARS. I MUST BE ATTENTIVE TO FLUID LEVELS TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING. HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS SLAVE CYLINDER PROBLEM. *TR

THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB WAS VERY HARD TO TURN ON THE AC/HEATER MODULE AND EVENTUALLY BROKE OFF. A FAILURE OF THE TEMPERATURE SELECTION COULD RESULT IN INABILITY TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD PROPERLY, RESULTING IN UNSAFE DRIVING ENVIRONMENT. *TR

THE HOT/COLD SWITCH BROKE OFF. SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO TURN THE SWITCH FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL. BOTH KNOBS ARE DAMAGED AND NOW IM NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF THE AIR NEITHER THE TEMPERATURE. THIS HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURE DEFECT SINCE. DURING MY RESEARCH ONLINE I'VE FOUND MANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS LIKE THIS ONE. MITSUBISHI SHOULD MAKE A RECALL AND FIX IT . *TR

THE HEAT/AC KNOB ON MY 2003 MITSUBISHI HAS BEEN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THIS IS ESPECIALLY HAZARDOUS WHEN TRYING TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. IT NOW DOES NOT TURN ANY MORE AND I DO NOT WANT TO FORCE IT BECAUSE I AM AFRAID IT WILL BREAK. BECAUSE OF THIS I HAVE NO HEAT IN MY CAR AND MY WINDOWS FOG UP MAKING IT VERY HARD TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDOWS. I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL MITSUBISHI DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THIS IS NOT A RECALL AND WOULD COST ABOUT $1400 - $1500 TO FIX. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME CAR. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD BE MADE A RECALL AND REPAIRED FOR FREE. *TR

HEAT/AC KNOB HAS ALWAYS BEEN DIFFICULT TO TURN. IT IS NOW STUCK ON A/C. I AM LOCATED IN AN AREA THAT ACQUIRES FREEZING TEMPERATURES, AND EVIDENTLY, WILL NEED TO BE ABLE TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. UPON RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I HAVE COME ACROSS THOUSANDS OF MITSUBISHI OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. SINCE MOST OF THE U. S. EXPERIENCES FREEZING TEMPERATURES THIS SHOULD, WITHOUT A DOUBT, BE A RECALL BECAUSE IT IS AFFECTING SO MANY DRIVER'S VISIBILITIES. THE OTHER SAFETY ASPECT TO BE CONSIDERED PERTAINS YOUNG CHILDREN, THE ELDERLY, AND THE ILL. CAR WINDOWS OPEN OR NOT, HOW IS IT SAFE TO HAVE THE YOUNG, ELDERLY, OR ILL IN A CAR OVER 100 DEGREES OR UNDER 32 DEGREES? THIS IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE, IRRESPONSIBLE, AND UNSAFE. PLEASE ADVISE A RECALL. *TR

THE HEAT/AC KNOB ON MY 2003 MITSUBISHI HAS BEEN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THIS IS ESPECIALLY HAZARDOUS WHEN TRYING TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD, UNTIL IT FINALLY BROKE COMPLETELY OFF. NOW I HAVE NO HEAT IN MY VEHICLE AND IT VISUALLY IMPAIRS MY DRIVING WHEN IT IS COLD AND FROSTS UP. I TRIED TO SEARCH FOR PARTS( COMPLETE SWITCH OR SWITCH KNOB SHAFT) THEY'RE NOT AVAILABLE BUT WHOLE UNIT ABOUT $300 + LABOR. ARE THEY(MITSUBISHI) GOING TO ISSUE A RECALL? THE MORE I RESEARCH, THE MORE I FIND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR HUNDREDS OF OTHER MITSUBISHI LANCER OWNERS WITH THIS SAME SITUATION ON THEIR HANDS. THE MORE I RESEARCH, THE MORE I FIND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR OTHERS. *TR

I HAVE HAD MY 2003 LANCER FOR ABOUT 4 YEARS AND THE AC/HEATER KNOB HAS ALWAYS BEEN DIFFICULT TO TURN. RECENTLY THE KNOB "BROKE" AND IT IS NOW STUCK ON AC AND I NOW HAVE NO HEAT THEREFORE IT MEANS I HAVE NO DEFROSTERS. THIS IS A VISIBILITY ISSUE AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. ACCORDING TO ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND TAKEN CARE OF. *TR

PURCHASED VEHICLE BRAND NEW JULY 2003. HEAT/AC KNOB HAS ALWAYS BEEN DIFFICULT TO TURN. IT IS NOW STUCK ON A/C. I AM LOCATED IN AN AREA THAT ACQUIRES FREEZING TEMPERATURES, AND EVIDENTLY, WILL NEED TO BE ABLE TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. UPON RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I HAVE COME ACROSS THOUSANDS OF MITSUBISHI OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. SINCE MOST OF THE U.S. EXPERIENCES FREEZING TEMPERATURES THIS SHOULD, WITHOUT A DOUBT, BE A RECALL BECAUSE IT IS AFFECTING SO MANY DRIVER'S VISIBILITIES. THE OTHER SAFETY ASPECT TO BE CONSIDERED PERTAINS TO: YOUNG CHILDREN, THE ELDERLY, AND THE ILL. CAR WINDOWS OPEN OR NOT, HOW IS IT SAFE TO HAVE THE YOUNG, ELDERLY, OR ILL IN A CAR OVER 100 DEGREES OR UNDER 32 DEGREES? THIS IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE, IRRESPONSIBLE, AND UNSAFE. PLEASE ADVISE A RECALL. *TR

HEATER CONTROL KNOB CANNOT BE ADJUSTED, IT IS STUCK ON COLD. CENTER SHAFT IS BROKEN FOR THE KNOB. *TR

THE DEFROST/AIR CONDITIONER/HEAT CONTROL SWITCH HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY FROM DAY ONE. IT IS A FIGHT FOR HOURS TO GET THE CONTROL TO TURN. WAS TOLD IN 2003 THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD WORK ITSELF OUT WITH USE IN DUE TIME, IT NEVER DID. NOW THE SWITCH IS STUCK BETWEEN THE HEAT AND THE AIR CONDITIONING MARK AND I CANNOT GET IT TO TURN TO EITHER. I CALLED THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST AROUND $1,400.00 TO FIX THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT. A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED IN 2005 CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM, BUT, THE DEALER WAS NOT OBLIGATED , ACCORDING TO THEM, TO CHECK EACH CAR IT COVERED FOR THE PROBLEM. I FEEL NHTSA SHOULD HAVE ISSUED A RECALL CONCERNING THIS DEFECT, BECAUSE IF ONE CANNOT USE THEIR DEFROSTER WHILE DRIVING WHEN NEEDED, THEN IT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM IF THEY CANNOT SEE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD! *TR

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. *TR

A/C HEATER NOB BROKE OFF AFTER SWITCHING IT FROM COLD TO HEAT. *TR

THE HEATER KNOB ON MY MITSUBISHI LANCER WAS HARD TO TURN FROM HOT TO COLD FROM THE VERY FIRST TIME I GOT THE CAR WITH 65000 MILES. ONE DAY THE KNOB BROKE. I WENT TO THE OFFICIAL DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HEATING DASHBOARD PIECE AND I PAID OVER 400.00. THE KNOB EVEN AFTER THIS WAS NOT EASY TO TURN AND AFTER A YEAR AND A HALF BROKE AGAIN. NOW I FIND THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER NEVER MENTIONED THIS OR OFFERED ANY ALTERNATE SOLUTION WHEN I MENTIONED THE KNOB WAS STILL HARD. I CAN'T DEFROST MY WINDSHIELD SINCE I CANNOT CHANGE THE TEMPERATURE. MY WINDOWS GET ALL STEAMY AND I CAN'T SEE WHILE DRIVING. IF I TRY TO REACH UNDER THE DASHBOARD WHILE DRIVING TO MOVE THE PLASTIC PART THAT CONNECTS TO THE HEATER IS HAZARDOUS SINCE I HAVE TO BEND AND TRY TO REACH UNDER MY DASHBOARD. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL!! *KB

TEMPERATURE KNOB WAS ALWAYS DIFFICULT TO TURN, THEN IT BROKE COMPLETELY OFF. NOT A PROBLEM FOR THE SUMMER (IT'S STUCK ON COLD) BUT NEEDS TO BE FIXED FOR THE WINTER SO THAT THE CAR CAN DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. TECHNICIAN SAID IT WOULD BE BETWEEN $1500-2000 TO REPAIR BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE DASHBOARD AND REPLACE THE ENTIRE KNOB PANEL PLUS FIX THE REAL PROBLEM WHICH IS THE "AIR MIX DOOR LEVER". APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR MISTUBISHI OWNERS AND THE COMPANY HAS NOT DONE A RECALL TO FIX IT; THEREFORE OWNERS ARE DROPPING $1000S OF DOLLARS TO GET THEIR CAR OPERATIONAL FOR SEASONAL TEMP CHANGES. ISN'T IT A SAFETY HAZARD IF YOUR DEFROSTER DOES NOT WORK??? *TR

THE HEATING/ COOLING KNOB WILL NOT TURN TO HEAT. DEFROST IS MINIMAL, WHICH OBSTRUCTS VIEW WHEN DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. HEAT IN CAR IS ABSENT, REQUIRING BLANKET TO BE USED TO KEEP DRIVER WARM IN COLD CHICAGO WINTERS. KNOB MECHANISM NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. THIS IS A MECHANICAL DESIGN ERROR. MATERIALS INVOLVED ARE PLASTIC AND METAL. WITHOUT HEAT FOR DEFROSTING AND MAINTAINING A COMFORTABLE CABIN TEMPERATURE, DRIVING SAFETY IS COMPROMISED. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL, THANK YOU.

I HAVE TWO ISSUES WHICH SEEM TO HAVE BOTH ALREADY BEEN REPORTED. 1. WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION WILL IDLE HIGH WHILE DRIVING, BUT THE VEHICLE IS NOT SPEEDING UP. THEN WITHOUT WARNING THE TRANSMISSION CATCHES, AND THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD. THIS IS A RANDOM ISSUE THAT HAPPENS DAILY WITH THE VEHICLE. SERVICING THE TRANSMISSION HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM AND CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM TO THIS DAY. 2.THE HEATER/AC CONTROL KNOW BECAME VERY DIFFICULTY TO CHANGE BETWEEN HEATER AND A/C. THE SWITCH HAS FINALLY BROKE OFF, AND NOW I'M UNABLE TO SWITCH BETWEEN HEATER AND A/C. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND THIS ALSO SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. I HAVE FOUND MOST OTHER AUTO OWNERS HAVE PAID FOR THE REPLACEMENT, BUT ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM OCCUR AGAIN. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON BOTH OF THESE ISSUES AND IS HAS BEEN REPORTED AS FAR BACK AS 2004, AND AT THIS POINT I DO SEE ANY RECALLS BY MITSUBISHI TO FIX EITHER OF THE PROBLEMS. *TR

AS WITH SO MANY OTHER LANCERS NOTED HERE, MY WIFE'S 2003 LANCER'S TEMP CONTROL KNOB HAS BROKEN. OVER A PERIOD OF A FEW YEARS THE KNOB CONTINUALLY GOT HARDER TO TURN AND RECENTLY JUST BROKE OFF. I ALSO GAVE HER A PAIR OF NEEDLE-NOSE PLIERS TO TURN THE PLASTIC NUB THAT IS LEFT, ALTHOUGH I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THIS WILL WORK AS EACH TIME SHE DOES IT WEARS DOWN THE PLASTIC SOME. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A WIDE-SPREAD PROBLEM AND NOT JUST A NUISANCE, AS MY WIFE NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO DEFROST HER WINDOWS AS NEEDED FOR VISIBILITY. SHAME ON MITSUBISHI FOR NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE ISSUE, LET ALONE FOR NOT FIXING IT. *TR

THE HEATING/COOLING KNOB HAS BEEN HARD TO TURN SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. IT WOULD HAVE TO BE FORCED TO SWITCH FROM WARM TO COOL. EVENTUALLY THE KNOB BROKE OFF. MITSUBISHI WAS CONTACTED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED BUT SINCE IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT. THE CABLE WAS REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT SOLVED, IT WAS STILL JUST AS HARD TO TURN. APPROX 1 1/2 YEARS LATER THE KNOB BROKE OFF AGAIN RESULTING IN NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL TEMPERATURE AND ENGAGE THE DEFROSTER. *TR

2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER: THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB BROKE OFF ITS SHAFT, AFTER OVER TWO YEARS OF THE CONTROL BEING SO DIFFICULT TO TURN THAT IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCOMLISH. THE WIRE RUNNING FROM THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL (KNOB) TO THE VENT FLAP THAT CONTROLS HEAT/COLD BENT AS WELL, LEAVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT A WAY TO CHANGE THE TEMPERATURE (STUCK IN COLD POSITION NOW). THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AS I AM UNABLE TO DEFROST/CLEAR MY WINDSHIELD WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE, WHICH RESULTS IN CONTINUOUS POOR DRIVING VISIBILITY. *TR

2003 LANCER OZ RALLY, STEERING COLUMN FELL DOWN IN MY LAP. FACTORY SAID TO BAD, OUT OF WARRANTY AND NO RECALL ISSUED. MY LOCAL DEALER WANTS 700+ DOLLARS TO FIX IT, THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS THE CAR ONLY HAS 64,000 MILES. *TR

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). *TR

ON JAN. 10, 2011 I WAS DRIVING MY FRIENDS 2003 MITSUBISHI, LANCER. AS WE WERE LEAVING THE DOCTORS OFFICE PARKING LOT I ATTEMPTED TO STOP AT THE PARKING LOT EXIT, A SLIGHT INCLINE BEFORE A BUSY STREET. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS FIRM BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO ROLL FORWARD. EVEN THOUGH I WAS PRESSING THE BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD I WAS UNABLE TO STOP AND THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS SMASH BY A SEMI TRUCK. MY FRIEND AND I WERE UNHARMED BUT SHAKEN UP. AFTER CHECKING FOR RECALLS I CAN'T HELP BUT THINK THE BRAKE FAILURE WE EXPERIENCE IS THE SAME AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN #09V077000 FOR THE 2008-2009 MODEL OF THE MITSUBISHI LANCER. *TR

MY DAUGHTER'S 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER ES NO LONGER PROVIDES HEAT. AS IN MANY OTHER CASES, THE KNOB HAS BROKEN OFF!! WHY IS THIS NOT THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL? SHE HAS NO HEAT, IT'S WINTER, AND SHE HAS NO MEANS TO DEFROST HER WINDSHIELD. FOR A WHILE SHE WAS ABLE TO TURN THE MECHANISM USING NEEDLE-NOSED PLIERS. NOW, EVEN THAT DOESN'T WORK AND SHE HAS NO HEAT, NO MEANS TO DEFROST HER WINDSHIELD AND WINDOWS RELIABLY, AND THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER OZ RALLY(NA). THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER WAS LEAKING FLUID; THE FOLLOWING DAY THE CLUTCH PETAL WAS NO LONGER OPERABLE. THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 68,000. UPDATED 04/12/11*LJ

TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. EVENTUALLY, THE CONTROL KNOB BROKE AWAY FROM THE PLASTIC CONNECTOR BENEATH, AND NOW THE TEMPERATURE CANNOT BE CHANGED. A SHORT INTERNET SEARCH HAS SHOWN THIS TO BE SUBJECT OF A TECHNICAL BULLETIN ISSUED IN 2004. *TR

THE HEAT/AC KNOB ON MY 2003 MITSUBISHI HAS BEEN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THIS IS ESPECIALLY HAZARDOUS WHEN TRYING TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. I'VE REPORTED THE ISSUE SEVERAL TIMES TO MITSUBISHI AND THEY HAVE STATED THAT THEY'VE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE MORE I RESEARCH, THE MORE I FIND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR OTHERS. THIS KNOB HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO USE FROM DAY ONE. *TR

MITSUBISHI 2003 HEATING KNOB IS NOT WORKING.. *TR