2004 Mitsubishi LANCER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
80 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
60,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 46 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 80 complaints (23.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 8.8% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 6.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 5.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 2.5% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 1.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 19 |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 10 |
| Visibility | 7 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Suspension | 4 |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Windshield:Electrical Heating Element | 4 |
Air Bags: 19; Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System: 10; Visibility: 7; Electrical System: 6; Unknown Or Other: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Suspension: 4; Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Windshield:Electrical Heating Element: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 12 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 12; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 4
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 34 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 14 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2004: 2; 2005: 14; 2006: 6; 2007: 3; 2008: 4; 2009: 4; 2010: 8; 2011: 2; 2012: 5; 2013: 3; 2014: 4; 2015: 7; 2016: 6; 2017: 4; 2018: 7; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10166657 · 2006-08-27 (August 27, 2006)
I PURCHASED A 2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER RALLIART SEDAN AND PAID IT OFF IN FULL UPON RECIEPT OF THE VEHICLE. IN THE PAST FEW YEARS I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL ISSUES, HOWEVER MY PRIMARY CONCERN TODAY IS A SENSOR THAT IS CURRENTLY BEING REPLACED FOR THE 5TH TIME TODAY. THE SENSOR IS CALLED THE APP SENSOR. WHEN IT GOES OUT, IT CAUSES MY VEHICLE TO RAPIDLY DECELERATE AND THE ENGINE WON'T REV PAST 2,500 RPM'S. THIS HAS BECOME AN ISSUE BECAUSE TWO DAYS AGO THE SENSOR WENT OUT ON ME AGAIN, AFTER BEING REPLACED JUST WEEKS AGO. THIS TIME W…
Owner-reported narrative. 34,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10166657 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10174407 · 2006-11-27 (November 27, 2006)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10174407 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10116995 · 2005-03-28 (March 28, 2005)
WHILE APPLYING BRAKES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS VEHICLE PULLED HARD TO THE RIGHT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10116995 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10132315 · 2005-08-10 (August 10, 2005)
WE OWN A 2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER 4 DR. WHILE BRAKING BECAUSE THE GAS PEDAL IS EVIDENTLY TO CLOSE YOU HIT THE BRAKE AND THE GAS AND HAVE A RUN AWAY UNTIL YOU CAN GET YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL. THIS HAS HAPPEN TO ME AT LEAST 4-5 TIMES. YESTERDAY AS MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE SHE CAME TO A RED LIGHT AND APPLIED THE BRAKE AND EVIDENTLY THE GAS PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME AND HIT A STOPPED VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER AT THE LIGHT. LUCKILY NO INJURIES, BUT 3500 DAMAGES TO THE CAR. I ASKED WHY THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A HIGH HIT AN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10132315 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10141987 · 2005-11-07 (November 7, 2005)
VEHICLE DOES NOT ALWAYS WANT TO SHIFT INTO FIRST. THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AS YOU ARE UNABLE TO CHOOSE YOUR GEAR SELECTION. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10141987 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10400940 · 2011-05-15 (May 15, 2011)
THE HEADLIGHT WIRES GET SHORTER?... AND THE LIGHTS BURN OUT ALL THE TIME DUE TO FAULTY WIRING... WHY WON'T MITSUBISHI FIX THIS FOR PEOPLE???????? THEY'RE VERY WRONG TO NOT HELP PEOPLE WITH THIS SAFETY ISSUE................ THE TRANSMISSION SYNCRO GEARS ARE ALSO WORTHLESS. THE ONLY REAL GOOD THING ON THE ENTIRE CAR IS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION!! VISORS DISINTEGRATED ALSO AFTER A FEW YEARS... *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10400940 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10080542 · 2004-07-07 (July 7, 2004)
1. AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE FOR AN HOUR OR LESS (DEPENDING ON ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS) A SPARK/STATIC DISCHARGE OCCURS BETWEEN THE EXTERNAL METAL SURFACE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE FIRST OCCUPANT EXITING VEHICLE. *AK 2. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY IGNITE FUMES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS REFUELING OR IN PRESENCE OF OTHER FLAMABLE GASES/MATERIALS. ALSO POTENTIAL COULD CAUSE SPARK BETWEEN THE GAS TANK DOOR AND GAS STATION FUEL NOZZLE. THIS IS AS MUCH OF A DANGER AS AN ANNOYANCE DUE TO THE STATIC DISCHARGE/SPARK IS VERY STRONG. I DO NOT EXPERIENCE THIS IN OTHER V…
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10080542 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10141979 · 2005-11-07 (November 7, 2005)
1. AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE FOR AN HOUR OR LESS (DEPENDING ON ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS) A SPARK/STATIC DISCHARGE OCCURS BETWEEN THE EXTERNAL METAL SURFACE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE FIRST OCCUPANT EXITING VEHICLE. *AK 2. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY IGNITE FUMES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS REFUELING OR IN PRESENCE OF OTHER FLAMMABLE GASES/MATERIALS. ALSO POTENTIAL COULD CAUSE SPARK BETWEEN THE GAS TANK DOOR AND GAS STATION FUEL NOZZLE. THIS IS AS MUCH OF A DANGER AS AN ANNOYANCE DUE TO THE STATIC DISCHARGE/SPARK IS VERY STRONG. I DO NOT EXPERIENCE THIS IN OTHER VEHIC…
Owner-reported narrative. 44,367 miles reported. Look up ODI 10141979 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10928485 · 2016-11-29 (November 29, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY STOPPED ON A TRAIN TRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME, STEERING CONTROL ARM, AND TIE ROD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10928485 at NHTSA ↗