The 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 201,952 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 116 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SUSPENSION16V4580002016-06-23194,674 affected
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,…
Consequence
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…
EQUIPMENT04V1380002004-03-237,278 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES AND PUERTO RICO, THE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR) AND GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING (GAWR) AS STATED ON THE CERTIFICATION LABEL ARE IN ERROR.
Consequence
OVERLOADING CAN DAMAGE YOUR VEHICLE, ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLE PERFORMANCE, INCLUDING HANDLING AND BRAKING, CAUSE TIRE FAILURE, AND RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LABEL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 31, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-888-648-7820.
Complaints by component
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
44
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
11
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
8
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
7
STRUCTURE:BODY
6
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:BELL HOUSING
2
Total complaints116
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“My vehicle was clean title but then it was considered salvage title, it was involved in a car accident on 9/07/2023 . I never knew about the recall because I am not the first owner. How I found out about the recall was because I have to do brake and lamp inspection and it failed on 10/09/2024 so I…”
“Corrosion on cross member”
“Upon inspection of the undercarriage in the rear, areas of severe corrosion has developed underneath the rear on the aluminum subframe bar that holds the rear differential and other suspension components in place such as the rear differential & lateral control bars that can surely compromise the…”
“Upon inspection of the undercarriage in the rear, areas of severe corrosion has developed underneath the rear on the aluminum subframe bar that holds the rear differential and other suspension components in place such as the rear differential & lateral control bars that can surely compromise the…”
“Upon inspection of the undercarriage in the rear, areas of severe corrosion has developed underneath the rear on the aluminum subframe bar that holds the rear differential and other suspension components in place such as the rear differential & lateral control bars that can surely compromise the…”
“Severe rear frame rail unibody rust. Specifically where the rear aluminum subframe mounts to the body. My vehicle, along with thousands other, have shared similar rust and rot from the exact same locations on 2003-2006 mitsubishi lancer evolutions. Absolutely no frame protection for the steel…”
“While replacing front sub frame structure under recall for rust and corrosion, rust damage to the rear structure was noted by dealer. Upon further inspection, there are holes in the rear structure as well.”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi lancer evolution. While driving approximately 30 mph, the steering column detached without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer stated that the warranty expired and did not offer any assistance. The…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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