2.7

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
54,250 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 Evolution body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Owner Comments

problem #6

Mar 202023

Lancer Evolution

  • miles

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

Corrosion on cross member

- Pasco, WA, USA

problem #5

Jul 292020

Lancer Evolution

  • 80,000 miles
Upon inspection of the undercarriage in the rear, areas of severe corrosion has developed underneath the rear on the aluminum subframe bar that holds the rear differential and other suspension components in place such as the rear differential & lateral control bars that can surely compromise the cars ability to drive if unnoticed. Additionally the fuel lines along the gas tank, as well surrounding surfaces on the driver side rear, have developed noticeable corrosion as well that is also proving to be a large area of concern. I am certainly concerned for my safety when operating this and the vehicles road worthiness because of these areas. This vehicle is by no means heavily modified at all, the vehicle is never operated beyond its limitations/aggressively as it's always been great for me as is, and it resembles exactly the way it did when it left the factory. Sourcing original and dot approved replacement parts has become very difficult and it leaves me at a standstill. Please if there isn't some kind of road worthy directive in regards to this I believe there should be because it can certainly compromise safety for driver in command as well as other drivers on the roads. To whom it may concern and whomever reading this, I hope my information came off clear and is considered. I greatly appreciate you taking the time observe this and making a prominent decision. I can provide additional photos and videos upon request as well. Thank you for your time.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #4

Mar 012018

Lancer Evolution

  • 100,000 miles
Severe rear frame rail unibody rust. Specifically where the rear aluminum subframe mounts to the body. My vehicle, along with thousands other, have shared similar rust and rot from the exact same locations on 2003-2006 Mitsubishi Lancer evolutions. Absolutely no frame protection for the steel body. There is already a recall on the front subframe for rust that can allow the front lower control arm to fall out. The same could happen to the rear of these vehicles where the entire rear end/drivetrain and suspension could fail and fall out, potentially causing a severe safety issue. Any part of the us where high humidity/rainfall or where road salts/solutions are used accelerate the corrosion process. Being a unibody vehicle this is a serious problem and design flaw. It happens over time and doesn't discriminate to conditions. Happens on both driver and passenger sides of the rear frame legs where the subframe mounts.

- West Chester, PA, USA

problem #3

Apr 102017

Lancer Evolution

  • 145,000 miles

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

While replacing front sub frame structure under recall for rust and corrosion, rust damage to the rear structure was noted by dealer. Upon further inspection, there are holes in the rear structure as well.

- Paso Robles, CA, USA

problem #2

Feb 102006

Lancer Evolution 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Paint on my 03 evo began flaking off, rock chips by both back passenger doors, 24K miles and I have too many rock chips everywhere, my 98 cavalier doesn't have this many rock chips.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

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problem #1

Sep 012003

Lancer Evolution 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 500 miles
Rock chips behind the drivers side rear door. Many little chips running up the door frame. The chips are in the crease of the door jamb. I can provide pictures. I took the car (2003 Mitsubishi Lancer evolution) to hall Mitsubishi in newport news Virginia around January or February. The service manager said it was rocks kicked up from the road and directed me to call a touch up paint repair specialist. I have talked to many other Lancer evolution owners and seen first hand that almost every evolution has this problem. I can provide pictures of the area in question. The chips are tiny, but they are in a place on the car that will be very susceptable to rust. I started noticing the problems about a month after I bought the car. I believe the problem is caused by a improperly aligned rear door. So far I have only noticed the problem on the drivers side of the car.

- Yorktown, VA, USA

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