repaired · 2019 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
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…
2004 Mitsubishi LancerProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 80 owner complaints about the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer, most often about the visibility. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 17V-569 the manufacturer reports only 11% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 2, 2019. Updated daily. Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer has problems
80 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
21Visibility
19Air bags2 crash/fire/injury
7Electrical system3 crash/fire/injury
7Vehicle speed control1 crash/fire/injury
7Power train2 crash/fire/injury
7Engine and engine cooling
6Suspension1 crash/fire/injury
3Equipment
3Structure
117 other systems2 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 21 | 0 |
| Air bags | 19 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 7 | 3 |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 1 |
| Power train | 7 | 2 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 0 |
| Suspension | 6 | 1 |
| Equipment | 3 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 2 |
| 7 other systems | 11 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2004 Mitsubishi Lancer recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2019 Q1
Passenger side: inflator module
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…
repaired · 2018 Q2
Control arm: lower arm
Risk. A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
no report yet
Other: labels
Risk. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mitsubishi.
Best & worst years
2004 vs. every other Lancer year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Lancer median. How we score
'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2004 Mitsubishi Lancer safety ratings
2004 Mitsubishi Lancer 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer, and the recalls they led to.
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 14V-668
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 14V-428
In owners' words
What Lancer owners report
Recent visibility complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
THIS IS WITH REFERENCE TO THE CLIMATE CONTROL PANEL, THE KNOB TO TURN SYSTEM TEMPERATURE FROM COLD TO HEAT, WITH TIME THE KNOB GOT STIFF AND IT WAS VERY HARD TO TURN FROM COLD TO HEAT, FOR YEARS I HAVE HAD TO PLAY WITH IT EVERY TIME I NEEDED TO USE IT TO SWITCH TO THE TEMPERATURE I DESIRED…
CLIMATE CONTROL PANEL/SYSTEM GOT STIFF TO TURN FROM COLD TO HEAT AND EVENTUALLY THE KNOB/STEM OF CLIMATE CONTROL PANEL BROKE. NOW IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DEFROST WINDOWS WHICH RESULTS UNSAFE DRIVING. I HAVE HAPPENED TO KNOW FROM INTERNET THAT THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED TO MANY MITSUBISHI LANCER 2002-2005…
THE A/C KNOB IN THE CAR BROKE OFF TOWARD THE END OF THE SUMMER 2013. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN DIFFICULT TO SWITCH FROM AIR CONDITIONER TO HEAT. FOR A WHILE PLIERS DID THE TRICK. WHEN I GOT A QUOTE FROM THE DEALERSHIP TO CHANGE THE KNOB I WAS QUOTED $1800. NOW IT IS WINTER. IT IS FREEZING. I HAVE NO HEAT.…
Own a 2004 Lancer?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.