2003 Mitsubishi Lancer complaints

AIR CONDITIONING/HEATING KNOB WAS HARD TO TURN, 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. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING I CAN DO, EXCEPT TRY TO DRIVE THROUGH IT. *TR

THE HEATER CONTROL KNOB IS BROKEN. I CAN'T ROTATE THE KNOB FROM COLD TO HEAT. IT BEGAN GETTING REALLY DIFFICULT TO TURN ABOUT A YEAR AGO, UNTIL I COULD NO LONGER ROTATE IT ABOUT A MONTH AGO. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS ARE YOU CAN'T SWITCH THE AIR FROM COOL TO WARM IN CASE YOU'RE DRIVING SOMEWHERE AT NIGHT AND NEED TO TURN ON THE HEATER FOR A LITTLE WHILE. YOUR WINDOWS FOG UP. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, OTHER THAN MY MECHANIC MESSED WITH THE CABLE INSIDE AND NOW MY KNOB IS PERMANENTLY STUCK ON HEAT, WHENEVER I TURN THE FAN ON. A NEW PART FROM MITSUBISHI IS OVER $500. ARE THEY GOING TO ISSUE A RECALL? I KNOW THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OTHER MITSUBISHI LANCER OWNERS WITH THIS SAME SITUATION ON THEIR HANDS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TEMPERATURE KNOB WAS FRACTURED WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL THE DEFROST, HEAT, AND AIR CONDITIONING TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT OF THE REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

MY 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER HEATER KNOB BROKE OFF AND I AM UNABLE TO GET THE DEFROSTER TO WORK. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM AS THIS IS A MATERIAL DEFECT IN HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF LANCER AUTOMOBILES. PLEASE HELP FORCE MITSUBISHI TO RECALL AND FIX THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAT CONTROL KNOB WOULD TURN BUT WOULD NOT ENGAGE THE HEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AIR WOULD BLOW THROUGH THE VENTS BUT WOULD NOT GET WARM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE FAILURE OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROSTER WAS ALSO WORKING BUT HEAT WOULD NOT EXPEL FROM THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

TIRE LOCATED ON PASSENGER FRONT SIDE OF VEHICLE IS SHOWING CRACKS BETWEEN THE TREAD AREA AND THE SIDEWALL. FOUR TIRES WERE PURCHASED ON 12/04/2009 AND WERE INSTALLED AT A LOCAL SEARS AUTO CENTER. CRACKS WERE NOTICED OCTOBER 23, 2010, AND APPEAR TO FOLLOW THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE TIRE IN THE AREA BETWEEN THE TREAD AND SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE. TO DATE, CRACKS WERE NOTICED ONLY ON THE ONE TIRE. TAKING VEHICLE TO LOCAL SEARS FACILITY TODAY, 10/26/2010, FOR REPLACEMENT. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER. APPROX 4 YEARS AGO THE TEMP CONTROL KNOB FOR THE HEATING/AC BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN FROM COLD TO HOT AND VICE VERSA. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE WHOLE KNOB AND STEM SNAPPED OFF AND BROKE. I REPLACED THE WHOLE HEATER/AC CONTROL BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED. I HAVE LEARNED TO LIVE WITH THIS INCONVENIENCE IN THE SOUTHERN CA CLIMATE. NOW MY SON NEEDS TO HAVE THIS VEHICLE IN PHILADELPHIA, PA WHERE HE NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO USE THE HEATER/DEFROSTER. AS I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, THIS SEEMS TO A DESIGN PROBLEM THAT MITSUBISHI HAS KNOWN ABOUT SINCE MARCH, 2004 WITH TSB-04-55-003 AND TSB-04-44-003. AS I AM WELL OUT OF WARRANTY, I ASKED MITSUBISHI SERVICE ADVISORS IF THEY WILL HELP WITH THE COST OF $700 - $1100 FOR REPAIRS. I ALSO CONTACTED MITSUBISHI CUSTOMER SERVICE BUT NONE ARE WILLING TO HELP. I FEEL THAT MISUBISHI SHOULD RECALL AND FIX THIS ISSUE FOR SAFETY REASONS (CANNOT USE DEFROSTER) AND FOR THE FACT THAT THESE ARE NOT ISOLATED ISSUES. THANK YOU. *TR

2003 LANCER - HEATER-A/C CONTROL KNOB BROKE AND CANNOT ADJUST TEMPERATURE. THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD PROMPT A RECALL BY MITSUBISHI - WHY HAS THIS NOT HAPPENED BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS LISTED ON THIS SITE? SHOULD THIS BE FORWARDED TO SOME CONSUMER GROUP OR THE NTSB TO INVESTIGATE? *TR

SEATBELTS, IN CARS& PICKUPS OF TODAY, THE CLIP ON THE RIGHT SIDE IS UNDER PERSON SETTING THERE, NO WAY TO FASTEN SEATBELT. IN OLDER CARS & PICKUPS IT STUCK UP WHERE YOU COULD FASTEN IT,IN MY WIFE'S CAR I CANNOT FASTEN IT, JUST CAN IN MY PICKUP. ALSO THE NEW DRIVING LIGHTS, ((ADD ONS)) WHEN PICKUPS COMES UP BEHIND YOU, NO WAY TO SEE, IT BLINDS YOU. REASON DEATH RATE HAS FALLEN,!!!! PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD GAS TO DRIVE AS MUCH!!!!!!!!!! LESS MILES, LESS DEATHS. HOPE YOU DO SOMETHING SEAT BELTS!!!! I'VE PAID MY LAST TICKET FOR NO SEAT BELT. IF I HAVE TO I'LL FILE A CIVIL RIGHTS CASE NEXT TIME I GET A TICKET, GET SEAT BELT LAW THREW OUT. I THINK BELTS SAVE LIVES, BUT THEY NEED TO BE MADE SAFE TO USE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, THANK YOU, HAVE A NICE DAY. *TR

1. USE OF VEHICLES HEATING/COOLING SYSTEM. 2. THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB BROKEN AND BECAME UNUSABLE. DEFROST/DEFOG NO LONGER WORKS DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO CHANGE THE TEMPERATURE. 3. NO FIX AT THIS TIME. *TR

THE CLUTCH CYLINDER RELEASE KEEPS LEAKING UNTIL IT WONT CLUTCH. YOU CANT SHIFT GEARS. ITS HAPPENEDD 6 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 YEARS. THE CAR ISN'T USED FOR ANY TYPE OF RACING BECAUSE IT DOESN'T EVEN HAVE ENOUGH POWER, JUST FOR REGULAR EVERYDAY DRIVING. I'VE TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WILL NOT COVER IT BECAUSE IT HAS NO WARRANTY ANYMORE BUT THE CARS DEFECTIVE AND THAT IS THEIR PROBLEM. I'VE BEEN READING AND IT SEEMS MY CAR IS NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR

WHEN DRIVING MY LANCER EITHER ON CITY OR HIGHWAY, IT REFUSES TO SHIFT. THE RPMS GO UP, BUT THE CAR WONT ACCELERATE. IT ACTUALLY SLOWS DOWN AS IF I'M PRESSING ON THE BRAKES (AND IM NOT) THEN OUT OF NOWHERE THE GEAR WILL SHIFT AND THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. IT DOES THIS ALL THE TIME. THE LAST TIME IT DID IT I RAN INTO A CAR. THIS IS A HUGE HAZARD. WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKES THE CAR ALMOST STOPS, THEN JUMPS FORWARD ABOUT 2 FEET BEFORE ACTUALLY STOPPING. THIS IS A HORRIBLE THING TO DO TO A DRIVER. THE CAR LITERALLY HAS A MIND OF IT'S OWN AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I'VE SEEN COMPLAINTS ABOUT OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND ALL OF THEM SAY THAT THEIR TRANSMISSION DIED COMPLETELY THUS LEAVING THEIR CAR PERMANENTLY MOTIONLESS. I CAN'T EVEN LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING THIS FIXED...I CAN ONLY LOOK FORWARD TO.....NOTHING. I CAN'T SELL THE CAR NOR GET A NEW ONE BECAUSE I'VE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY ON THIS LANCER AND NOTHING FIXES IT. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE BRAKE PADS, THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, THE TIRES, THE GAS PEDAL LINE, AND AIR IN THE BRAKES... I HAD ALL OF THESE THINGS REPLACE AND NO CHEAP COSTS AND IT'S STILL NOT FIXED. PLEASE! ORDER MITSUBISHI TO RECALL THIS DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION! IT SHOULD BE A CRIME TO SELL SUCH A DEFECTIVE AND DEADLY PRODUCT. MITSUBISHI SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED! ALSO, WHEN THE CAR'S RPMS ARE ABOVE 4000, THE POWER STEERING DIES AND I CANNOT TURN LEFT OR RIGHT, THUS I LOSE ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I'VE

THE HEAT/AC KNOB IN MY 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER WILL NOT TURN. IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT FOR YEARS, BUT FOR FALL/WINTER 2009 I HAD TO HAVE A MECHANIC CRAWL UNDER THE DASH AND FORCE IT WITH PLIERS, THEN I LEFT IT THAT WAY ALL WINTER. NOT VERY SAFE OR CONVENIENT. I'M LOOKING AT A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR FROM MITSUBISHI WHICH THEY SHOULD PAY FOR. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE, YOU CAN'T DEFROST YOUR WINDOWS WITHOUT HEAT, NOR SHOULD YOU HAVE TO USE SUCH LOUSY EQUIPMENT. MITSUBISHI NEEDS TO STEP UP AND ISSUE A RECALL, I'VE SEEN THIS COMPLAINT ALL OVER THE INTERNET. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH THAT DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONTAL DRIVER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIR BAG DID. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A POLICE IMPOUND AND WAS NOT EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. UPDATED 10/21/10. LJ THE CONSUMER CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. UPDATED 10/26/10*JB

MITSUBISHI 2003 LANCER ES PROBLEM: AC KNOB WON'T SWITCH ALL THE WAY OVER TO HEAT?IT KINKS. IF YOU TURN IT TOO HARD, IT BREAKS AND YOU REQUIRE TO CHANGE THE WHOLE CONSOLE WHICH COSTS AROUND $388.00 PLUS THE LABOR REQUIRED TO INSTALL IT, THEN THE TOTAL WILL BE AROUND $675.00! THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE 2008 BUT IT WORSENED WITH TIME TO THE POINT OF BREAKING RECENTLY. THE TWO OUTSIDE KNOBS ON THE HVAC UNIT (THE KNOBS THAT CONTROL THE TEMPERATURE AND WHERE THE AIR FLOWS OUT FROM) ARE CONNECTED TO THE HEATER CORE VIA METAL WIRES. WHEN YOU TURN THE TEMPERATURE KNOB TO THE RIGHT THE WIRE PUSHES OUT AND WHEN YOU TURN IT BACK TO THE LEFT THE WIRE PULLS IN. THIS WIRE IS CONNECTED TO A PIECE OF PLASTIC ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE HEATER CORE. THIS PIECE OF PLASTIC IS CONNECTED TO A GEAR AND IS SUPPOSED TO WORK HARMONIOUSLY WITH THE PIECE OF PLASTIC THE AIRFLOW KNOB (RIGHT OUTSIDE KNOB ON HVAC UNIT) IS CONNECTED TO. THAT IS WHERE THE PROBLEM IS. THESE TWO PIECES OF PLASTIC, BLEND LINK AND LEVER, WHICH ARE SUPPOSED TO SLIDE BACK AND FORTH WITH THE TURNING OF THE KNOBS, DON'T WORK WELL AND THE WIRE ISN'T STRONG ENOUGH TO FORCE THE PIECE INTO THE HEAT POSITION. THE RESULT IS THE WIRE OFTEN KINKS. ON THE DRIVER SIDE, UNDER THE DASH, UP AND TO THE RIGHT THERE ARE TWO PIECES OF WHITE PLASTIC, ONE CLOSER TO THE FIREWALL THEN THE OTHER. THERE IS A METAL WIRE CLIPPED TO EACH. THIS IS THE PART YOU HAVE TO TURN TO CHANGE IT TO HEAT. THE 'BOTTOM' IS THE TEMPERATURE KNOB. YOU CAN EITHER GRAB

THE A/C KNOB ON THIS CAR HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND HAS NOW BROKE OFF. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN VERY STIFF WHEN GOING FROM A/C TO HEAT AND NOW DUE TO BEING USED WITH SUCH FORCE REPEATEDLY IT HAS BROKE OFF, THE VENT SELECTOR HAS NEVER BEEN AN ISSUE ITS SMOOTH AND TRANSITIONS EASILY AFTER ALL THESE FEATURES ARE SUPPOSED TO MAKE THE VEHICLE MORE COMFORTABLE AND SAFE AND WARM ON COLD NIGHTS... I JUST WENT TO A SITE WHERE AT LEAST 150 PEOPLE COMPLAINED OF THE SAME PROBLEM. THE PART IS OVER 200$ FROM A DEALER AND THE DEALER CHARGES OVER 700-800$ TO REPLACE THE PART(TALK ABOUT A RACKET) AND YET WITH SOOOO MANY COMPLAINTS I FEEL BAD FOR PEOPLE WITH SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS THAT ARE STUCK IN THIS VEHICLE DRIVING UNDER MISERABLE AND YES UNSAFE CONDITIONS ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T DEFROST THEIR WINDSHIELD OR PEOPLE WHO HAVE A HARD TIME MAINTAINING BODY TEMPERATURE... A RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN ISSUED A LONG TIME AGO, ESPECIALLY IF THE MANUFACTURER HAS SINCE DEVELOPED A "REPAIR KIT" (IN OTHER WORDS HERE'S THE FIX TO SOMETHING WE KNOW DOESN'T WORK BUT WE WANT ALL YOU HARD WORKING PEOPLE TO PAY FOR IT) SO AGAIN LETS SCREW THE LITTLE GUY RIGHT? *TR

2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER - DIFFICULTY TURNING THE TEMPERATURE KNOB. HAD IT FIXED AT THE DEALER JUST ENOUGH SO THAT I COULD TURN THE KNOB, BUT IS STILL VERY DIFFICULT AND HE WARNED THAT IF I USE IT TOO MUCH IT WILL LIKELY BREAK. APPARENTLY MITSUBISHI IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THE KNOBS ON THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL PANEL WERE BREAKING OFF. THE DEALER ADVISED THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE YET THE IMPROVED KNOBS WERE ON BACKORDER. THE CONTACT FELT THE FAILURE COULD POTENTIALLY BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE OF THE HEAT LEVELS IN THE VEHICLE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,931.

SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED THE CAR,THE KNOB FOR THE AC/ HEATER WAS HARD TO TURN. THEN ABOUT 2YRS AGO I CANT TURN IT WITHOUT THE CAR BEING PARKED. IT TOOK ALL MY STRENGTH TO TURN. MOST OF THE TIME I WOULDN'T USE MY HEAT. THEN ONE NIGHT MY WINDSHIELD WAS FOGGED UP. I TRIED DRIVING WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN. BUT I HAD TO STOP TO TURN THE HEAT ON FOR THE DEFROSTER.DRIVING ACROSS A BRIDGE WITH FOGGED UP WINDOWS IS SCARY. WHEN I TURNED THE KNOB IT BROKE OFF. I HAVE TRIED TO GET USED PARTS FOR IT BUT IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THESE CARS. AND THE DEALERS WHAT BETWEEN $700 AND $900 TO FIX THE PROBLEM WITH THEIR CARS. *TR

HEATING/COOLING KNOB HAS BEEN HARD TO TURN SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. EVENTUALLY THE KNOB BROKE OFF. I WAS TOLD BY A MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP THAT THEY'D HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE UNIT WHICH WOULD RUN ME ABOUT $300 FOR THE PART. I NOW HAVE TO DRIVE IN FULL WINTER CLOTHES WHEN IT'S COLD BECAUSE I CAN'T GET THE THING OFF THE COOL SETTING. *TR

I'D BEEN HAVING DIFFICULTY TURNING THE TEMPERATURE KNOB ON MY 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER FOR A WHILE. THEN, IT BROKE OFF. I FOUND OUT THAT MITSUBISHI IS "AWARE OF THE PROBLEM", EVEN MAKING A REPAIR KIT, BUT THEY HAVEN'T ISSUED A RECALL, & IT COST ME $888 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED!!!!! A KNOB!!!!!! I THINK MITSUBISHI SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR SHODDY WORKMANSHIP & ISSUE A RECALL. *TR

2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER OZ RALLY EDITION , SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAR ENGINE REVS TO 3000-4000 RPM. DOES NOT HAVE ABS SO YOU CAN STOP THE CAR, TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND YOU WILL FIND THE CAR ACCELERATING TO 50 MPH WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL. CAN BE FIXED BY REPLACING PN# MR578268 FOR $465( IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE) , A PART THAT IS ABOUT $30 TO $70 DOLLARS FOR ANY OTHER CAR. EVENT HAPPENS AT 3-4 MONTH INTERVALS. HAD TO GOOGLE ON INTERNET TO SOLVE PROBLEM. DEALERS WON'T ADMIT PROBLEM BUT HAVE THE OVERPRICED PART IN STOCK!

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. THE HEATER KNOB ON MY VEHICLE BROKE. IT HAD BEEN STICKING FOR A WHILE. I HAD TO TURN THE KNOB PRETTY HARD TO PUSH FROM COLD TO HOT OR HOT TO COLD. IN RESEARCHING A WAY TO FIX IT I WAS APPALLED BY THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN INITIATED BY MITSUBISHI. AT THIS POINT WE JUST NEED TO REPLACE ONE SMALL SHAFT FOR THE KNOB TO SLIP ONTO, BUT THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS WE HAVE TO BUY THE WHOLE UNIT - $215 PLUS SHIPPING AND LABOR. WITH MY HUSBAND HAVING MS, WE ARE ALWAYS PAYING MEDICAL BILLS. WE WENT TO A SALVAGE YARD AND THE HEATER ASSEMBLY WAS MISSING FROM THE ONLY LANCER ON THE LOT AND ACCORDING TO ONE PERSON EVERY LANCER HE SAW COME THROUGH HAD THE LEFT KNOB BROKEN OFF THE HEATER TEMP CONTROLLER. NOW IT IS COLD IN THE MORNINGS AND WARM IN THE AFTERNOONS AND WE CANNOT ADJUST THE TEMPERATURE AT ALL. WE HAD BEEN USING PLIERS BUT NOW CANNOT MOVE IT AT ALL. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS BECAUSE IT IS A HEALTH ISSUE FOR THOSE WITH MS AND OTHER NEUROLOGICAL AND AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS. *TR

THE TEMPERATURE KNOB WILL NOT TURN FROM COOL TO HEAT RESULTING IN THE FAILURE TO HEAT THE WINDSHIELD. IN TURN, ANY FROST, ICE, OR FOG WILL NOT BE REMOVED AND HINDERS VISION. *TR

SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR WE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING; BUT TOLD THAT THE KNOBS ARE A LITTLE HARD TO TURN AND THERE IS NO PROBLEM. THE CONTROLS FINALLY BECAME INOPERABLE; WHICH PUTS OUR SAFETY AT RISK. HVAC CONTROLS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED WITH A MECHANICAL FLAW WHICH MAKES THE DEFROSTING, HEATING, AND AC COMPONENTS DIFFICULT TO OPERATE AND EVENTUALLY BECOME INOPERABLE. TSB 055-003 HAS BEEN ISSUED PUTTING THE REPAIR ON THE CONSUMER FOR A DESIGN FLAW WHICH PUT MOTORIST AT RISK ESPECIALLY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. *TR

CONTINUING CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE. 1. EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN 2003 IT HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AND THEN SUDDENLY INCREASING YOUR SPEED WHILE SAY PASSING OR SPEEDING UP, ONCE YOU LET OFF THE GAS TO RETURN TO THE CRUISE CONTROL SPEED THE ENGINE WILL SUDDENLY REV AND WILL NOT STOP INCREASING SPEED UNTIL YOU RELEASE THE CRUISE CONTROL BY HITTING THE BRAKE OR THE BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO DISENGAGE THE CONTROL. 2. IT HAS HAPPENED EVERY TIME I SET THE CRUISE CONTROL FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME THEN INCREASE SPEED FOR SHORT DISTANCES AND TRY TO RETURN TO THE CRUISE CONTROL SPEED. SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 3. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES BUT THEY SAID THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I EXPLAINED THAT THE WOULD NEED TO DRIVE SAY 20 MILES ON THE HIGHWAY TO MAKE IT HAPPEN, THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME AND TOLD ME THAT THE CAR DIDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM. I REPORTED THE ISSUE TO MITSUBISHI AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE ON THEIR WEBSITE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER. *JB

2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER. TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY. I CAN'T TURN THE HEAT ON. WHEN I TURN THE KNOB FROM COLD TO HOT THERE IS A LOT OF TENSION AND I'VE ALREADY BROKEN ONE KNOB TRYING TO FORCE IT TO TURN THE HEATER ON WHEN IT'S COLD OUT. THE ONLY WAY TO TURN THE HEAT ON IS TO LOOK FOR A LEVER TO THE RIGHT OF THE GAS PEDAL AND MANUALLY TURN THE HEAT ON. THIS IS NOT SAFE WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD WON'T DEFROST IF THE HEATER ISN'T ON. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR AND HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. I HAVE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

CLIMATE CONTROL KNOB BROKE OFF ON MITSUBISHI ,FOUND TO HAPPEN ON LOTS OF THESE CARS, CANT DEFROST WINDOW. CANT SEE. SAFETY HAZARD? *TR

I HAVE A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER ES. THE TEMPERATURE KNOB, WHICH WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN FROM THE VERY BEGINNING HAS NOW BROKEN OFF. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND HAVE COME ACROSS HUNDREDS OF THE SAME COMPLAINT AND THIS IS WITH MINIMAL RESEARCH ON MY PART. INITIALLY SWITCHING THE TEMPERATURE KNOB FROM HOT TO COLD WAS DIFFICULT AT BEST. I OFTEN HAD TO REQUEST A GROWN MAN TO HELP ME JUST SO I COULD DEFROST MY WINDSHIELD. I DID BRING THE ISSUE UP TO THE DEALERSHIP NEAR MY HOME, WHICH HAS SINCE CLOSED, AND THEY INFORMED ME THE KNOB WOULD NOT BREAK. WELL.....THE KNOB BROKE AND NOW I HAVE TO USE A NEEDLE NOSE PLIERS TO CHANGE THE TEMPERATURE. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING AND IT BEGINS TO RAIN OR SNOW, ETC. AND YOU NEED TO ADJUST THE TEMPERATURE YOU CANNOT. I HAVE HAD TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY IN HASTE BECAUSE MY WINDSHIELD IS FOGGING UP AND I NEED TWO HANDS IN ORDER TO SWITCH MY TEMPERATURE KNOB. MITSUBISHI HAS GOT TO BE AWARE OF THIS SINCE APPARENTLY A TECHNICAL REPORT HAD BEEN SENT TO THEIR MECHANICS ADVISING HOW TO FIX THIS PROGRAM. IN ADDITION I HAVE READ MITSUBISHI ACTUALLY HAS A REPAIR KIT FOR THIS PROBLEM AND APPARENTLY FOR THE CAR OWNER THE COST FOR THE TOTAL REPAIR IS $800-$900. IT IS AN ABSOLUTE DISGRACE THAT MITSUBISHI WAS ALLOWED TO SELL CARS IN 2002, 2003, AND 2004 GET AWAY WITH NOT REPAIRING THIS PROBLEM.

TEMPERATURE KNOB OF MITSUBISHI LANCER DOESN'T GO TOWARDS HEATING. *TR

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 EVENTUALLY BROKE OFF. MAKING THE CAR OWNER UNABLE TO SWITCH FROM HOT TO COLD. THIS POSES A PROBLEM IN THE WINTER MONTHS ESPECIALLY SINCE THE CAR OWNERS WILL BE UNABLE TO DEFROST THEIR WINDSHIELD. MAKING IT A HAZARD. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE ISN'T A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS THE EXACT QUOTE I RECEIVED FROM THE DEALERSHIP ON THE REPAIR. "TO REPAIR THIS PROPERLY WE NEED TO REMOVE THE DASH AND REPAIR THE HEATER BOX. IF THAT IS NOT DONE THAN YOU WILL DAMAGE THE NEW HEATER KNOB. THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR ARE $520.00 AND THE LABOR TO DO THE REPAIR IS $756.00" I'VE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM OVER THE INTERNET. *TR

UNABLE TO TURN TEMP CONTROL SWITCH FROM HEAT TO A/C. UNABLE TO DEFROST WINDOWS. MITSUBISHI QUOTED $1200 TO FIX. HAVE HAD TO PULL CAR OFF THE ROAD TO WIPE DOWN WINDOWS BECAUSE THE WINDOWS HAVE FOGGED UP WHILE DRIVING AND THERE IS NO WAY TO TURN DIAL WITHOUT CRAWLING UNDER THE DASH AND MANUALLY PULLING IT FROM A/C TO HEAT. *TR

2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER PURCHASED IN FALL OF 2003, AC/HEATER CONTROL KNOB WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN & EVENTUALLY BROKE OFF. SINCE THE UNIT IS NOW STUCK ON A/C THE DEFOGGING SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY MAKING IT HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN WINTER MONTHS. I FIND THE INOPERABLE OF THE AC/HEATER CONTROL KNOB TO BE A LIFE THREATENING RISK. WILL A LIFE HAVE TO BE LOST BEFORE A RECALL IS CONSIDERED? HOW MANY MORE COMPLAINTS WILL GO UNHEARD? THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT BE EXPECTED TO FORK UP $900-1200 FOR A TEMPORARY FIX TO ONLY HAVE THE ISSUE REOCCUR. *TR

HVAC DASH CONTROL UNIT-MITSUBISHIS LANCER 2003 THE KNOB THAT CONTROLS THE HOT AND COLD BROKE,IT IS STUCK IN THE COLD POSITION. NOW UNABLE TO REGULATE THE HEATING FUNCTIONS. IT ALSO HINDERS THE DE-FOGGING FEATURE FROM WORKING. I LIVE IN NYC AND THE WEATHER HAS NOW CHANGED. WITH THE CLIMATE CHANGE I HAVE NO HEAT NOR CAN I USE THE DE-FOGGING IF I AM DRIVING IN THE RAIN. PART IS NOT REPAIRABLE BY DEALER BECAUSE IT IS NOT A DEFECT IN THE CAR. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT EVERY OWNER OF THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE SINCE 99/00 HAS HAD THIS HAPPEN. EACH OWNER HAS STATED THAT MITSUBISHI DOES NOT RECOGNIZE IT AS A RECALL. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF WHO LIVE WHERE THE CLIMATE CHANGES, AS WELL IF SOMEONE LIVES IN A WARM CLIMATE/COLD CLIMATE YEAR ROUND. I THINK MITSUBISHI NEEDS TO ADMIT TO THIS DEFECT AND FIX IT FOR ALL OWNERS OF THIS MODEL. BEING THAT THIS HAPPENS SO FREQUENT THERE IS NO WAY TO ACQUIRE THE PART SECOND HAND. ONLY AT THE DEALER. *TR

TEMPERATURE KNOB WONT TURN. CAN NOT MOVE THE KNOB FROM AC TO HEAT. CAN NOT REMOVE FOG OF THE WINDSHIELD. *TR

WE HAVE A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER AND THE HOT/COLD SWITCH BROKE OFF. IN TRYING TO RESEARCH THIS, I FOUND 100'S OF ONLINE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED WEBSITE HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2003/MITSUBISHI/LANCER. IT IS ALSO NOT POSSIBLE TO GET THE WINDOWS TO DEFROST IN THE VEHICLE DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. THAT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. THE COMPANY SHOULD BE DOING A RECALL FIX ON THESE... *TR

2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER OZ RALLEY . THE HEATER HOT AND COLD SELECTOR WILL NOT SWITCH FROM HOT TO COLD. YOU HAVE TO REACH UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE DASH AND MOVE IT FROM HOT TO COLD. IF NOT THE SELECTOR SWITCH WILL BREAK. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED IT ONCE. NO SOLUTION IN SIGHT. BY THE WAY I AM A MECHANIC BY TRADE WITH 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. ALSO THE PLUG COMING OFF THE DASH HARNESS HAS SEEMED TO HAVE GOTTEN HOT AND AS A RESULT THE PLASTIC IS DETERIORATING ALLOWING A SHORT BETWEEN THE WIRES. WHICH IN TURN CAUSES THE FUSE FOR THE HEATER CONTROL LIGHTS AS WELL AS THE RIGHT FRONT AND REAR MARKER LIGHTS TO BURN OUT. *TR

WE HAVE A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER AND THE HOT/COLD SWITCH BROKE OFF. IN TRYING TO RESEARCH THIS, I LITERALLY FOUND 100'S OF ONLINE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. WE LIVE IN MN, AND IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO GET THE WINDOWS TO DEFROST IN THE VEHICLE DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. THAT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. THE COMPANY SHOULD BE DOING A RECALL FIX ON THESE...SINCE GETTING IT FIXED DOESN'T FIX THE PROBLEM AT ALL, THE SWITCH BEHAVES THE SAME WAY AFTER ABOUT 90 DAYS OF USE. *TR

2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER RECALL ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE RECALL WAS NEVER DONE BUT MITSUBISHI STATES THAT IT WAS FIXED IN JUNE 2008.. CONSUMER WAS THE OWNER AT THAT TIME. *NJ A MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONSUMER THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

THE AIR/HEATING UNIT BUTTON ON THE DASH BROKE OFF COMPLETELY. IT WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN THE KNOB TO HEAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN IT TO THE RIGHT. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALER THEY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. THEY SAID THAT THEY'VE HAD MANY CAR OWNERS BUYING THE UNIT BECAUSE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 LANCER. THE UNIT ITSELF IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO BUY AT A COST OF $379.00. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE LABOR. THE LABOR WAS QUOTED AT $549.00, BECAUSE THEY WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE DASHBOARD/ TRIM OUT AND OFF TO REPLACE THE UNIT. I JUST REPLACED THE UNIT AND THE SAME PROBLEM HAS STARTED AGAIN. THIS IS JUST ONE OF MANY PROBLEMS. I HAVE EXPERIENCED. THE CAR WILL JERK AND HESTITATE AND LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING. THE GEARS WILL SHIFT AND I WILL LOSE MOMENTUM WHILE DRIVING. YOU CAN HEAR A REVVING SOUND LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS ABOUT TO GO OUT. THESE ARE JUST A FEW PROBLEMS - I HAVEN'T MENTION THAT I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE AIR CONDITION UNIT BECAUSE OF THE CONDENSATION LEAKING INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD CAUSING IT TO FILL WITH WATER. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED TWICE. THE DEALER REPLACE THE UNIT WITH A NEW ONE. *TR

MITSUBISHI LANCER 2003 BASE MODEL AIR CONDITIONER (HEAT COOL) KNOB BROKE OFF DUE TO MALFUNCTION OF TURNING/WIRES. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO NUMEROUS PEOPLE AND YET NO RECALL. *TR

2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER OZ RALLY - HEATER CONTROL KNOB NOT PROPERLY WORKING. PURCHASED VEHICLE USED IN MARCH 2007, NOTICED CONTROL KNOB HARD TO TURN. TOOK INTO DEALERSHIP TO FIX A RECALL ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD & GASKETS, HAD THEM ALSO CHECK THE A/C TEMP KNOB BECAUSE IT WAS HARD TO TURN FROM HEAT TO COLD. WARRANTY DID NOT COVER, WAS STILL OPERABLE, SO DID NOT GET REPLACED. EVENTUALLY THE KNOB COMPLETELY BROKE OFF IN DECEMBER 2007, PAID TO REPLACE HEATER CONTROL ASSY #MN185137HB (LUCKILY WARRANTY COVERED PARTIAL - TOTAL COST 347.27, WARRANTY COVERED 247.27, PAID 100.00) AFTER KNOB WAS REPLACED THE HEATER WAS WORKING FINE. AGAIN,EVENTUALLY THE TEMP CONTROL KNOB WOULD NOT STAY ON HEAT, WOULD RETURN MIDWAY BETWEEN HOT & COLD. DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED REPLACING: HEATER BLEND DOOR (7801A360 - $80.22) & LINK & LEVER (7801A110 - $30.03), WITH AN ADDITIONAL 8 HOURS OF LABOR WOULD BE $850 + TAX. AFTER REVIEWING OTHER COMPLAINTS, I HAVE NOTICED MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, SPECIFICALLY DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO USE DEFROSTER. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE REVIEWED. *TR

ALL THREE BRAKE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING WITH NO WARNING. 1. NORMAL DRIVING TO AND FROM WORK, UNSURE OF ANYTHING LEADING UP TO FAILURE. WAS ALERTED BY ANOTHER DRIVER THAT WAS BEHIND ME WHILE DRIVING AND THEN PULLED UP NEXT TO ME AT A LIGHT. WAS LUCKY THERE WAS NO CRASH. 2. LIGHTS ARE COMPLETELY OUT, HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THEM BACK ON 3. HAVE CHECKED THE FUSE AS LABELED IN THE MANUFACTURERS HANDBOOK, CHECKED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, CHECKED THE LIGHT BULBS, ALL ARE IN OK FASHION AND WORK WHEN TESTED SEPARATELY. *TR

I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE HEAT/COLD KNOB AND THE VENT KNOB. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AND THEY QUOTED ME ALMOST $1900 TO FIX. YEAH RIGHT!!! THIS IS A SOLUTION.... NOT A COMPLETE FIX BUT I GET HEAT IN THE WINTER AND A/C IN THE SUMMER. I HAVE TO REACHED UP UNDER THE DASH AND MOVE THE CONTROLS AT THE HEATER BOX. IF YOU STILL HAVE A KNOB TURN IT WHILE YOU ARE MOVING THE PLASTIC ARM FROM UNDERNEATH. THE VENT CONTROL IS A LITTLE HARDER TO GET TO BUT IT'S UP THERE, JUST A LITTLE HIGHER AND IT'S SMALLER SO IT'S HARDER TO GET LEVERAGE. HOPE THIS HELPS ALL OF YOU. LOOK UNDER FROM THE DRIVER SIDE. YOU'LL SEE THE CABLES AND THEY'RE CONNECTED TO A PLASTIC ROTARY ARM THING. IT WORKS... YES IT'S A PAIN... BEATS DISHING OUT MAJOR BUCKS FOR SOMETHING THAT'S NOT OUR FAULT. *TR

KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE CLUTCH AREA. EVERY TIME I RELEASE THE CLUTCH ON MY CAR I HEAR THIS KNOCKING NOISE, WHEN I DEPRESS THE CLUTCH THE NOISE GOES AWAY. *TR

AT NIGHT DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN, UNABLE TO TURN OFF AIR CONDITIONER AND SWITCH ON WINDSHIELD DEFROST BECAUSE HEATER, TEMPERATURE DIAL BROKE OFF. *TR

I HAD JUST LEFT MY HOME. I HAD NOT BEEN DRIVING FOR MORE THAN 2 MINUTES WHEN MY FRONT SPEAKERS SHUT OFF. I THEN START TO NOTICE A BURNING SMELL. I SEE THE INTERIOR START TO FILL UP WITH SMOKE. I THOUGHT IT WAS AN ENGINE FIRE AT FIRST UNTIL I NOTICED A FIRE IN MY PASSENGER DOOR SPEAKER. I PULLED OVER BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. I MADE A CALL TO 911 TO SEND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THANKFULLY THE FIRE HOUSE WAS VERY CLOSE AND WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT BEFORE IT DAMAGED MORE THAN JUST THE DOOR. I HAVE THE DOOR AND SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE SCHEDULED TO BE REPAIRED AUG 18TH 2008. I HAVE NOT TAKEN APART, REPLACED, OR UPGRADED ANY DASH, RADIO OR ELECTRICAL COMPONENT OF THE CAR. I DON'T KNOW WHAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS. ADDITIONALLY I AM ALSO MISSING THE HEAT AND A/C KNOB AS IT BROKE OFF LAST WINTER. *TR

ADD MY BUMBLE BEE TO THE GROWING LIST OF LANCERS WITH BROKEN OFF HEATER/A.C. KNOBS DUE TO THE BADLY DESIGNED AND FAULTY COMPONENT COUPLED WITH IN AN INEPT SERVICE DEPARTMENT. SHOULD HAVE MADE THIS COMPLAINT WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED INSTEAD OF JUST WAITING FOR THE RECALL THAT NEVER HAPPENED. *TR

HEATER CONTROL KNOB TURNS VERY HARD AND NOW DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. *TR

KNOB ON AC/HEATER CONTROL BROKE, NOW STUCK ON AC. CAN NOT USE CAR IN COLD WEATHER AS WINDSHIELD FOGS UP MAKING THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS IS A 2003 MIISUBISHI LANCER.*CN