DefectRecord Public Record - Not a Government Site

Home / Mitsubishi / Lancer / 2003

Model Year Problem Record

Mitsubishi Lancer 2003 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

199Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
2Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
2Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
19Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Visibility77 complaints

77 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train53 complaints

53 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment13 complaints

13 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 04V428000.

Vehicle Structure13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension10 complaints

10 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 16V458000.

Air Bags8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

04V428000Reported September 1, 2004 - 100,432 vehicles potentially affected

Equipment. Recall covering the equipment system, reported to NHTSA on September 1, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 100,432 vehicles across all affected models.

16V458000Reported June 23, 2016 - 194,674 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on June 23, 2016. The campaign covers an estimated 194,674 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA15001Opened February 24, 2015 - Open

Air Bag Inflator Rupture. Resulted in recall campaign 14V668.

EA15001Opened February 24, 2015 - Open

Air Bag Inflator Rupture. Resulted in recall campaign 14V668.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

200327
200429
200513
20068
200722
20088
200916
201028
201114
20128
20135
20143
20152
20164
20172
20184
20193
20211
20241
20261
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.