2.0

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
82,417 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Mitsubishi Lancer drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Owner Comments

problem #6

Mar 202015

Lancer

  • 149,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle decided to shift to low gear while on the highway. It shift gears automatically for no reason.

- St. Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #5

Jul 222013

Lancer

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the clutch failed to function and the contact heard a popping noise. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

- Fort Worth , TX, USA

problem #4

Sep 122005

Lancer 4-cyl

  • 45,000 miles
First occurrence happened while attempting to leave a convenience store. Clutch went to floor of vehicle, and did not know what was wrong. Since 1st occurrence it has happened regularly approximately every 3-4 weeks. For the last 8 years. Clutch become spongy and requires me to refill master cylinder with brake fluid. Several occasions I have been driving when the occurred. Car loses ability to shift due to clutch not engaging gears. I must be attentive to fluid levels to prevent it from happening. Has been diagnosed as slave cylinder problem.

- Fort Smith, AR, USA

problem #3

Jul 262010

Lancer

  • 141,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The clutch cylinder release keeps leaking until it wont clutch. You cant shift gears. Its happenedd 6 times in the last 3 years. The car isn't used for any type of racing because it doesn't even have enough power, just for regular everyday driving. I've talked to the dealership and they said that they will not cover it because it has no warranty anymore but the cars defective and that is their problem. I've been reading and it seems my car is not the only one with this same problem.

- Auburn, GA, USA

problem #2

Mar 012005

Lancer

  • miles
Mitsubishi Lancer 2003, defective transmission and brakes. The consumer stated the transmission slipped at every speed and no one would admit there was a problem. The brakes would fade and vibrate making it difficult to stop.

- Huntley, IL, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #1

Jul 152003

Lancer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 9,500 miles
At around 9500 miles the car began sticking, slipping gears, jamming into gear. It was diagnosed as a failed body valve, which they ordered and sent me home for 10 days waiting for the part--meanwhile the car progressively became worse, making entering the freeway questionable, etc. After 10 days it began doing the same thing--took car back in--they sent me home while they tried to reach Mitsubishi...when I demanded rental stating I did not feel safe (I called Mitsubishi, who intervened and had me take car back to dealer until it is fixed). Dealer told me they are ordering 6 more transmission parts based on Mitsubishi's advice. Meanwhile, I spoke with an independent mechanic who worked for Mitsubishi, who said that if the body valve failed, there is probably internal damage to the transmission and that talking on the phone and ordering parts is not fixing the cause of the problem--also that the transmission and computer have to be in sync, and a damaged transmission could affect the computer of the car. So we have techs talking back and forth on the phone, a dealership service dept that does not have the answers talking to a tech hundreds of miles away, and neither party has seen the inside of the transmission....I feel like I have a defective car and am running to the shop which is just putting bandaids on the problem.

- Tacoma, WA, USA

Not what you are looking for?