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2004 Mitsubishi Lancer

The Verdict

78 Solid Pick

The 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer has 80 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (41 complaints) and electrical (22 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 78/100, it earns a "Solid Pick" rating. If you're shopping for a Mitsubishi Lancer, consider the 2007 model year which has 97% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2007 has 97% fewer complaints

View the 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer dashboard →

78

Klunk Score: Solid Pick

Fewer complaints than most vehicles. Generally dependable, but check the top problems below.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 2

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

17V569000 AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Lancer and Lancer Evolution vehicles and 2004 Lancer Sportback vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a passen...

Risk

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious ...

Remedy

Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with a different inflator, free of charge. The recall began on October 12, 2017. Owners may contact Mi...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

18V220000 AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles that previously received a like-for-like passenger side frontal air bag inflator under recall ...

Risk

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious ...

Remedy

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will install a final replacement passenger side frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on April 26, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer...

Reported May 4, 2018

Get notified if a recall hits this car.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
20026517252919
200313163122120
20044122287
2005721221
20061431811
200700200
2008409122010
20092413253128
201015972826
201113151515
201260175
201311021
201452547
2015401156
2016403319
201710302

By Category

Body
41
Electrical
22
Engine
8
Transmission
7
Brakes
2

By Severity

1
33
2
36
3
2
4
9

Worst Problems

Complaints

Electrical 1

TAKATA RECALL. HAD ORIGINAL AIRBAG REPLACED 2 YRS AGO. RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MITSUBISHI STATING I NEEDED TO HAVE IT DONE AGAIN. I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR MITSUBISHI WHEN I LEARNED THEY NO LONGER HAVE A MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP LOCALLY. I WAS ADVISED AT THAT TIME THAT THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP , IN EITHER DIRECTION, WAS 4-5 HOURS FROM WHERE I LIVE. I WAS ADVISED THAT I NEEDED TO CALL ALL THE MECHANICS IN THE AREA TO FIND ONE THAT IS CERTIFIED BY MITSUBISHI! IF I COULD FIND ONE AND THEY WERE MITSUBISHI CERTIFIED, THE WORK WOULD BE DONE AND MITSUBISHI WOULD PAY FOR IT. HOWEVER, THEY NEED TO HAVE CURRENT CERTIFICATION. I HAVE CALLED A FEW DEALERSHIPS IN THE AREA, BUT NO ONE HAS A CERTIFICATION FOR MITSUBISHI. I DIDN'T INSTALL THE BAD AIRBAGS. I WOULD HAVE TO TRAVEL TO EITHER OF THESE DEALERSHIPS, SPEND THE NIGHT IN A MOTEL, WAIT FOR THE APPOINTMENT AND WORK TO BE DONE, AND DRIVE HOME. THIS IS RIDICULOUS! IN THE MEANTIME, I HAVE RECEIVED A SECOND LETTER FROM MITSUBISHI STATING THAT I SHOULDN'T ALLOW ANYONE TO RIDE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF THE CAR UNTIL IT'S REPAIRED. I DON'T KNOW IF THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG IS ANY GOOD EITHER. I WOULD APPRECIATE ALL THE HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME. I FEEL LIKE MY CAR AT THE PRESENT TIME IS USELESS. I'M IN FEAR OF DRIVING EVEN TO THE GROCERY STORE.

89mo ago
Electrical 2

2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED HE IS TOO VISUALLY IMPAIRED TO DRIVE THE LONG DISTANCE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED; THEREFORE, ACCEPTING ALL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONSEQUENCES. *JS

96mo ago
Body 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO ONE SIDE AND THE TIRES WERE WORN DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT TIRE FACILITY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000 (SUSPENSION). NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.

97mo ago
Body 2

I WAS GOING TO REPLACE THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS ON MY OWN BUT NOW I AM ONLY GOING TO BE ABLE TO REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER CONTROL ARM BECAUSE THE DRIVER SIDE CONTROL ARM IS CORRODED AND THE BOLT DOES NOT COME OUT. I WAS GOING TO BUY THE CROSSMEMBER MYSELF BUT THAN A FAMILY MEMBER SHOWED ME A LINK THAT SAYS THIS CROSSMEMBER ON MY MODEL COULD BE A RECALL. BEFORE I REALIZED HOW CORRODED IT WAS I TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP DUE TO A RECALL ON THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE IT AND THEY SPRAYED SOME ANTI-CORROSION ON THE CROSSMEMBER BUT FORGOT TO MENTION THE HOLE THE CROSSMEMBER HAD. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT HOME

97mo ago
Electrical 1

2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT PROVIDE A CONVENIENT OPTION TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR COMPLETED.*JS

97mo ago
Electrical 2

TAKATA RECALL MY LOCAL MITSUBISHI DEALER, CUTTER MITSUBISHI (HTTPS://WWW.CUTTERMITSUBISHI.COM) HAS REFUSED TO FIX THE RECALL. I HAVE TELEPHONED MORE THAN FIVE TIMES, LEAVING DETAILED MESSAGES, INCLUDING BOTH THE AIR BAG RECALL AND NOT INCLUDING THE AIR BAG RECALL. THEY HAVE NEVER RESPONDED TO ONE TELEPHONE CALL, AND THEY NEVER ANSWER THE PHONE. I HAVE GONE TO THEIR WEBSITE AND LEFT A DOZEN REQUESTS FOR SERVICE NOTING I NEED THE AIR BAG RECALL FIXED, AND THEY HAVE NEVER, NOT ONCE, REPLIED TO ANY REQUESTS. THEY SHOULD BE FORCED TO FIX MY AIRBAG BEFORE IT KILLS ME AND THEY SHOULD BE PUNISHED WITH A SIGNIFICANT MONETARY PENALTY FOR ENDANGERING MY LIFE AND EVERYONE ELSE'S LIFE WHO CAN'T GET IT FIXED.

97mo ago
Electrical 1

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V569000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MITSUBISHI DEALER WAS OVER 100 MILES AWAY AND A RECALL REPAIR APPOINTMENT COULD NOT BE SCHEDULED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY COULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE IF THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP HAD THE TOOLS TO COMPLETE THE REMEDY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

99mo ago
Electrical 2

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SRS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE HORN DID NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BIG TWO MITSUBISHI (6222 AUTO PARK DR., MESA, AZ 85206, (480) 218-2000) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WOULD NEED TO BE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED DUE TO THE COST. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V220000 (AIR BAGS) AND BELIEVED THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

99mo ago
Electrical 2

RECALL ON TAKATA INFLATORS. THERE IS NO MITSUBISHI DEALER IN ROCHESTER, MN. I AM 95 YEARS OLD AND CANNOT DRIVE OUT OF ROCHESTER, MN. WHAT SHOULD I DO TO GET THE INFLATOR REPLACED?

106mo ago
Body 4

2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER WAGON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CORROSION OF LOWER CONTROL ARM SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE BACKED INTO A TRUCK AT A HIGH SPEED. UPDATED 09/12/2017*JS UPDATED 10/19/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. UPDATED 11/1/2017*JS

107mo ago
Electrical 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL REGARDING THE AIR BAGS AND REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE RECALL INFORMATION WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,942.

114mo ago
Transmission 2

A RECALL WAS ISSUED IN 2005 FOR A POTENTIAL ISSUE IN THE POWER TRAIN. THE RECALL STATED THAT IF THE VEHICLE HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE REPAIR WAS TO FIRST TRY REPROGRAMMING THE POWER TRAIN. IF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED AFTERWARDS, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE ABOVE OUTLINED SERVICE IN 2005. THE POWER TRAIN WAS REPROGRAMMED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT AWAY, BUT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS NOT REPLACED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LATER RETURNED. A DIAGNOSTIC REVEALED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED REPLACED. I BELIEVE THAT IF THE INITIAL RECALL WORK IN 2005 WAS PROPERLY FULFILLED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED. MITSUBISHI HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR OF REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, CITING THAT THE WORK DONE IN THE RECALL WAS SUFFICIENT. I CONTEND THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT THOROUGH ENOUGH AND THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER SHOULD BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

115mo ago
Body 1

FRONT INTERNAL BOLT ON K FRAME FOR THE FRONT A ARM BOLT BROKE FREE KNOW WAY TO FIX THIS WITH OUT CUTTING A HOLE INTO THE K FRAME . DID THIS GOING DOWN THE ROAD .

117mo ago
Body 2

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.

117mo ago
Electrical 1

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V321000 (AIR BAGS) AND WAS UNABLE TO SCHEDULE A REPAIR WITH A DEALER IN A REASONABLE LOCATION. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE DEALER WAS MORE THAN 150 MILES AWAY. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE IF THEY COULD PROVIDE A CLOSER LOCATION TO SCHEDULE THE REPAIR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN AS TO WHEN THE MANUFACTURER WOULD SUPPLY THE PARTS TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

119mo ago
Engine 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000 (SUSPENSION) WAS RECEIVED ON JUNE 23, 2016 REGARDING CORROSION AFFECTING THE CONTROL ARM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CORRODED AND MADE NOISE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXHAUST FELL OUTSIDE OF THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 12/20/16*LJ

119mo ago
Body 1

I HAVE 2 NOTICE IN MY HOME FOR INSPECT MY VEHICLE,I TRY TO CONNECT WITH ANY TELEPHONE ,THAT I HAVE IN MY NOTICE,I WAITING MORE THAN ONE HOUR AND NO BODY PICK UP THE PHONE! WHAT CAN I DO I LIVING IN ZIP CODE [XXX] ,HOW I CAN CONNECT TO ANY DEALER FOR SCHEDULE ANY APPOINTMENT....? HELP PLEASE [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

120mo ago
Electrical 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBUSHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V321000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

120mo ago
Electrical 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V321000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. UPDATED 11/18/15*LJ *CN

132mo ago
Body 2

ON THE PANEL THAT CONTROLS TEMPERATURE MY KNOBS ARE EITHER BROKEN OR STICKING. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED AND ONLY THE HEAT WORKED. NOW A YEAR LATER THE HEAT/COLD KNOB IS BROKEN OFF. THE KNOB THAT CONTROLS THE VENTS STICKS AND I HAVE TO HOLD IT WHILE TRYING TO DEFROST MY FRONT AND SIDE WINDOWS. I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND DON'T UNDERSTAND WHILE THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL PANEL HASN'T BEEN A RECALL ISSUE. IT MAKES DRIVING AN ISSUE IN VARIOUS TEMPERATURE CHANGES. THANKFULLY THE BACK WINDOW DEFROST IS A BUTTON NOT A KNOB.

133mo ago

80 total

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