Model year
2004 Mitsubishi Lancer
NHTSA lists 4 recalls and 80 complaints for the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 2 recalls and 13 complaints under LANCER EVO, LANCER EVOLUTION, LANCER SPORTBACK, and LANCER WAGON. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are AIR BAGS (19), VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM (10), VISIBILITY (7). NHTSA lists 2 investigations, including 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 19–27 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,500–$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
18V220000 · Apr 5, 2018
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 15V321 as interim remedy. Also recalled are 2004-2006 Lancer vehicles located in…
17V569000 · Sep 14, 2017
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 passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over…
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
80 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 7, fire flag on 3, injury field 4, 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 | 2 |
| LANCER EVOLUTION | 1 | 0 |
| LANCER SPORTBACK | 0 | 8 |
| LANCER WAGON | 1 | 3 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE14016 | Air Bag Inflator Rupture · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; AIR BAGS | Jun 11, 2014 | Mar 2, 2015 |
| 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 · 2L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 | 28 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
| Lancer · 2L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 32 | 27 | — | — | $2,500 |
| Lancer · 2.4L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 26 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| Lancer · 2.4L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 27 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| Lancer Evolution · 2L · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 16 | 23 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
| Lancer Sportback · 2.4L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 26 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
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 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.