How many recalls does the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer have?

The 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer has 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer?

Of 242 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is visibility.

2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 295,106 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 242 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the visibility. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

SUSPENSION 16V458000 2016-06-23 194,674 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…

EQUIPMENT 04V428000 2004-09-01 100,432 affected

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.

Consequence

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…

Complaints by component

VISIBILITY

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT

EQUIPMENT

SUSPENSION

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Total complaints242

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“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…”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2026-06-06

“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.”

EXTERIOR LIGHTING · reported 2024-12-16

“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…”

SUSPENSION · reported 2021-09-14

“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…”

ENGINE · reported 2019-03-17

“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…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2019-01-05

“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…”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · reported 2019-01-05

“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…”

EXTERIOR LIGHTING · reported 2019-01-05

“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…”

VISIBILITY/WIPER · reported 2018-09-18