Model year
2003 Mitsubishi Lancer
NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 199 complaints for the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 2 recalls and 99 complaints under LANCER EVO and LANCER EVOLUTION. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are VISIBILITY (28), VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM (28), POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (19). NHTSA lists 1 investigation with no close date in the file. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 19–26 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,600–$4,350, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2002 148 complaints
- 2003 199 complaints
- 2004 80 complaints
- 2005 24 complaints
- 2006 37 complaints
- 2007 2 complaints
- 2008 91 complaints
- 2009 98 complaints
- 2010 51 complaints
- 2011 34 complaints
- 2012 19 complaints
- 2013 5 complaints
- 2014 16 complaints
- 2015 23 complaints
- 2016 30 complaints
- 2017 6 complaints
Recalls
16V458000 · Jun 23, 2016
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
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,…
04V428000 · Sep 1, 2004
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
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…
Complaints
199 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 13, fire flag on 1, injury field 13, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| LANCER EVO | 0 | 1 |
| LANCER EVOLUTION | 2 | 98 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA15001 | Air Bag Inflator Rupture · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; AIR BAGS | Feb 24, 2015 | No close date in the file |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancer · 1.6L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 27 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| Lancer · 1.6L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 30 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Lancer · 2L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 28 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
| Lancer · 2L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 | 30 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Lancer Evolution · 2L · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 16 | 23 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.