2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Complaint Log

TAKATA RECALL. HAD ORIGINAL AIRBAG REPLACED 2 YRS AGO. RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MITSUBISHI STATING I NEEDED TO HAVE IT DONE AGAIN. I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR MITSUBISHI WHEN I LEARNED THEY NO LONGER HAVE A MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP LOCALLY. I WAS ADVISED AT THAT TIME THAT THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP , IN EITHER DIRECTION, WAS 4-5 HOURS FROM WHERE I LIVE. I WAS ADVISED THAT I NEEDED TO CALL ALL THE MECHANICS IN THE AREA TO FIND ONE THAT IS CERTIFIED BY MITSUBISHI! IF I COULD FIND ONE AND THEY WERE MITSUBISHI CERTIFIED, THE WORK WOULD BE DONE AND MITSUBISHI WOULD PAY FOR IT. HOWEVER, THEY NEED TO HAVE CURRENT CERTIFICATION. I HAVE CALLED A FEW DEALERSHIPS IN THE AREA, BUT NO ONE HAS A CERTIFICATION FOR MITSUBISHI. I DIDN'T INSTALL THE BAD AIRBAGS. I WOULD HAVE TO TRAVEL TO EITHER OF THESE DEALERSHIPS, SPEND THE NIGHT IN A MOTEL, WAIT FOR THE APPOINTMENT AND WORK TO BE DONE, AND DRIVE HOME. THIS IS RIDICULOUS! IN THE MEANTIME, I HAVE RECEIVED A SECOND LETTER FROM MITSUBISHI STATING THAT I SHOULDN'T ALLOW ANYONE TO RIDE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF THE CAR UNTIL IT'S REPAIRED. I DON'T KNOW IF THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG IS ANY GOOD EITHER. I WOULD APPRECIATE ALL THE HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME. I FEEL LIKE MY CAR AT THE PRESENT TIME IS USELESS. I'M IN FEAR OF DRIVING EVEN TO THE GROCERY STORE.

2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED HE IS TOO VISUALLY IMPAIRED TO DRIVE THE LONG DISTANCE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED; THEREFORE, ACCEPTING ALL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONSEQUENCES. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO ONE SIDE AND THE TIRES WERE WORN DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT TIRE FACILITY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000 (SUSPENSION). NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.

I WAS GOING TO REPLACE THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS ON MY OWN BUT NOW I AM ONLY GOING TO BE ABLE TO REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER CONTROL ARM BECAUSE THE DRIVER SIDE CONTROL ARM IS CORRODED AND THE BOLT DOES NOT COME OUT. I WAS GOING TO BUY THE CROSSMEMBER MYSELF BUT THAN A FAMILY MEMBER SHOWED ME A LINK THAT SAYS THIS CROSSMEMBER ON MY MODEL COULD BE A RECALL. BEFORE I REALIZED HOW CORRODED IT WAS I TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP DUE TO A RECALL ON THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE IT AND THEY SPRAYED SOME ANTI-CORROSION ON THE CROSSMEMBER BUT FORGOT TO MENTION THE HOLE THE CROSSMEMBER HAD. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT HOME

TAKATA RECALL MY LOCAL MITSUBISHI DEALER, CUTTER MITSUBISHI (HTTPS://WWW.CUTTERMITSUBISHI.COM) HAS REFUSED TO FIX THE RECALL. I HAVE TELEPHONED MORE THAN FIVE TIMES, LEAVING DETAILED MESSAGES, INCLUDING BOTH THE AIR BAG RECALL AND NOT INCLUDING THE AIR BAG RECALL. THEY HAVE NEVER RESPONDED TO ONE TELEPHONE CALL, AND THEY NEVER ANSWER THE PHONE. I HAVE GONE TO THEIR WEBSITE AND LEFT A DOZEN REQUESTS FOR SERVICE NOTING I NEED THE AIR BAG RECALL FIXED, AND THEY HAVE NEVER, NOT ONCE, REPLIED TO ANY REQUESTS. THEY SHOULD BE FORCED TO FIX MY AIRBAG BEFORE IT KILLS ME AND THEY SHOULD BE PUNISHED WITH A SIGNIFICANT MONETARY PENALTY FOR ENDANGERING MY LIFE AND EVERYONE ELSE'S LIFE WHO CAN'T GET IT FIXED.

2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT PROVIDE A CONVENIENT OPTION TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR COMPLETED.*JS

RECALL ON TAKATA INFLATORS. THERE IS NO MITSUBISHI DEALER IN ROCHESTER, MN. I AM 95 YEARS OLD AND CANNOT DRIVE OUT OF ROCHESTER, MN. WHAT SHOULD I DO TO GET THE INFLATOR REPLACED?

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V569000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MITSUBISHI DEALER WAS OVER 100 MILES AWAY AND A RECALL REPAIR APPOINTMENT COULD NOT BE SCHEDULED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY COULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE IF THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP HAD THE TOOLS TO COMPLETE THE REMEDY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL REGARDING THE AIR BAGS AND REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE RECALL INFORMATION WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,942.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V321000 (AIR BAGS) AND WAS UNABLE TO SCHEDULE A REPAIR WITH A DEALER IN A REASONABLE LOCATION. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE DEALER WAS MORE THAN 150 MILES AWAY. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE IF THEY COULD PROVIDE A CLOSER LOCATION TO SCHEDULE THE REPAIR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN AS TO WHEN THE MANUFACTURER WOULD SUPPLY THE PARTS TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

I HAVE 2 NOTICE IN MY HOME FOR INSPECT MY VEHICLE,I TRY TO CONNECT WITH ANY TELEPHONE ,THAT I HAVE IN MY NOTICE,I WAITING MORE THAN ONE HOUR AND NO BODY PICK UP THE PHONE! WHAT CAN I DO I LIVING IN ZIP CODE [XXX] ,HOW I CAN CONNECT TO ANY DEALER FOR SCHEDULE ANY APPOINTMENT....? HELP PLEASE [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000 (SUSPENSION) WAS RECEIVED ON JUNE 23, 2016 REGARDING CORROSION AFFECTING THE CONTROL ARM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CORRODED AND MADE NOISE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXHAUST FELL OUTSIDE OF THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 12/20/16*LJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY STOPPED ON A TRAIN TRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME, STEERING CONTROL ARM, AND TIE ROD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER WAGON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CORROSION OF LOWER CONTROL ARM SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE BACKED INTO A TRUCK AT A HIGH SPEED. UPDATED 09/12/2017*JS UPDATED 10/19/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. UPDATED 11/1/2017*JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBUSHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V321000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V321000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. UPDATED 11/18/15*LJ *CN

I AM AN OWNER OF TWO MITSUBISHI CARS; ONE BOUGHT NEW AT A MITS. DEALER IN TUCSON, AZ 11 YEARS AGO AND THE OTHER BOUGHT JUST A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO AT A USED CAR LOT IN TUCSON, AZ. YESTERDAY, I RECEIVED AN 'IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL' NOTICE FOR BOTH CARS VIA MAIL. IT'S RECOMMENDED TO TAKE CARE OF THE RECALL OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG, THAT IS DESCRIBED AS CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. YET, THERE IS CURRENTLY NO LOCAL DEALER WHERE I LIVE. THEREFORE, I CALLED THE PHONE NUMBER LISTED ON THE NOTICE TO ADDRESS MY CONCERN. I WAS TOLD I'D HAVE TO TRAVEL TO ANOTHER CITY OVER 80 MILES ONE WAY TO HAVE THIS REMEDIED. THIS WOULD BE MUCH TOO INCONVENIENT, UNLIKE THE PROMISED 'EVERY EFFORT TO MINIMIZE INCONVENIENCE' THE NOTICE REFERENCE. SHOULDN'T THEY ALLOW THIS TO BE DONE BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC IN THE CITY OF TUCSON WHERE I PURCHASED THE CARS AND RESIDE; IT'S NOT MY FAULT THAT THEY'VE HAD MAULTIPLE DEALERSHIPS CLOSE DOWN HERE? I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH MITS. RIGHT NOW FOR CAUSING ME TO HAVE FEAR AND NOT HELPING WITH THE PROBLEM THEY INFORMED ME OF... NOT SURE WHAT TO DO...UPDATED 08/25/15 *BF UPDATED 10/26/2015*CN

FRONT INTERNAL BOLT ON K FRAME FOR THE FRONT A ARM BOLT BROKE FREE KNOW WAY TO FIX THIS WITH OUT CUTTING A HOLE INTO THE K FRAME . DID THIS GOING DOWN THE ROAD .

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SRS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE HORN DID NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BIG TWO MITSUBISHI (6222 AUTO PARK DR., MESA, AZ 85206, (480) 218-2000) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WOULD NEED TO BE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED DUE TO THE COST. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V220000 (AIR BAGS) AND BELIEVED THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE MANUFACTURER TO PAY FOR SHIPPING THE VEHICLE AND GETTING IT REPAIRED DUE TO AIR BAG RECALL. *TA THE CONSUMER HAS NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM MITSUBISHI. UPDATED 03/11/15

DEAR ADMINISTRATOR: THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT....I AM FOLLOWING INSTRUCTION FROM LETTER. I RECENTLY RECEIVED A LETTER NOTIFYING ME OF A SAFETY RECALL REGARDING THE PASSENGER AIR BAG INFLATER HOUSING FOR 2004-2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER VEHICLES. I CURRENTLY STILL OWN A 2004 LANCER MITSUBISHI AND I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF ANY FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS. THEREFORE, I IMMEDIATELY RESPONDED TO THE LETTER FROM MITSUBISHI AND FOLLOWED YOUR INSTRUCTIONS. UNFORTUNATELY, THE RESPONSE THAT I RECEIVED WAS SHOCKING AND QUITE FRANKLY, RIDICULOUS! I WAS INFORMED THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO PAY TO SHIP MY CAR FROM MAUI TO HONOLULU IN ORDER TO GET MY CAR REPAIRED! THE NOTIFICATION LETTER CLEARLY STATES UNDER THE REASON FOR NOTICE THAT THE SAFETY RECALLS ARE IN THE AREAS OF HAWAII, FLORIDA, PUERTO RICO, AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS. MITSUBISHI SHOULD ASSUME THAT ?SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS? WOULD HAVE TO BE OFFERED TO SERVICE AND REPAIR IN ORDER TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT. IF YOU RECOGNIZED THAT THIS RECALL AFFECTS ISLAND CUSTOMERS WHY ARE YOU PENALIZING THEM FOR YOUR MANUFACTURING MISTAKE, FORCING THEM TO SHIP THEIR CARS INTER-ISLAND FOR REPAIR? I AM ASKING THAT MITSUBISHI PLEASE ASSUME THEIR RESPONSIBILITY AND COMPLY WITH THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT AND PAY FOR THE SHIPPING OF MY CAR FROM MAUI TO HONOLULU TO HAVE MY CAR REPAIRED. AT A MINIMUM ALLOW A CERTIFIED MITSUBISHI MOTOR DEALER OR CERTIFIED MECHANIC IN MAUI TO MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIR. PLEASE KEEP THIS LETTER IN YOUR ARCHIVES AS MY ATTEMPT TO FIND A SOLUTION TO GET MY CAR REPAIRED TO AVOID INJURY OR ANY LIFE CHANGING EVENTS AS A RESULT OF NEGLIGENCE ON YOUR BEHALF. BEST REGARDS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V752000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

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 CUSTOMERS . MITSUBISHI IS NOT TAKING ANY ACTION TO FIX THIS PROBLEM FOR THESE CUSTOMERS. *TR

HEAT/AC SWITCH STUCK.CAN NOT GET HEAT OR DEFROST IN COLD AND/OR ICY CONDITIONS, MAKING FOR VERY UNSAFE DRIVING.A TSB HAS BEEN ISSUED TO MITSUBISHI DEALERS. THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE WILL NOT HELP DEFRAY THE REPAIR COST CLAIMING VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY.THE SAFETY ISSUE WAS IGNORED. I IMAGINE THOUSANDS OF THIS MODEL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. CAN YOU HELP ME GET SOME SATISFACTION IN THIS MATTER. THANK YOU *TR

ON THE PANEL THAT CONTROLS TEMPERATURE MY KNOBS ARE EITHER BROKEN OR STICKING. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED AND ONLY THE HEAT WORKED. NOW A YEAR LATER THE HEAT/COLD KNOB IS BROKEN OFF. THE KNOB THAT CONTROLS THE VENTS STICKS AND I HAVE TO HOLD IT WHILE TRYING TO DEFROST MY FRONT AND SIDE WINDOWS. I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND DON'T UNDERSTAND WHILE THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL PANEL HASN'T BEEN A RECALL ISSUE. IT MAKES DRIVING AN ISSUE IN VARIOUS TEMPERATURE CHANGES. THANKFULLY THE BACK WINDOW DEFROST IS A BUTTON NOT A KNOB.

A RECALL WAS ISSUED IN 2005 FOR A POTENTIAL ISSUE IN THE POWER TRAIN. THE RECALL STATED THAT IF THE VEHICLE HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE REPAIR WAS TO FIRST TRY REPROGRAMMING THE POWER TRAIN. IF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED AFTERWARDS, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE ABOVE OUTLINED SERVICE IN 2005. THE POWER TRAIN WAS REPROGRAMMED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT AWAY, BUT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS NOT REPLACED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LATER RETURNED. A DIAGNOSTIC REVEALED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED REPLACED. I BELIEVE THAT IF THE INITIAL RECALL WORK IN 2005 WAS PROPERLY FULFILLED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED. MITSUBISHI HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR OF REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, CITING THAT THE WORK DONE IN THE RECALL WAS SUFFICIENT. I CONTEND THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT THOROUGH ENOUGH AND THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER SHOULD BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

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. I WAS PULLED OVER BY POLICE BECAUSE OF FOGGY WINDOWS. I HAD NO DEFROSTER BECAUSE I CAN'T TURN ON THE HEAT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEVERS FOR THE CLIMATE CONTROLS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DEFROST HIS WINDOWS WHEN NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER. AFTER DIAGNOSIS THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE HEATER CLIMATE CONTROL LEVERS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 170,000. *TR

THE AIR AND HEAT FLOW KNOB BROKE OFF AS I TURNED IT FROM COLD TO HEAT THIS MORNING. NOW I CANT HEAT UP THE CAR IT IS STUCK ON COLD. DUE TO THIS THE DEFROST WILL NOT WORK EITHER. I HAVE NO HEAT IN MY CAR AS OF THIS MORNING DUE TO THE KNOB BREAKING OFF AS I TURNED IT. PART OF THE WHITE PLASTIC PIECE THAT ATTACHES ON THE INSIDE IS NOW ATTACHED TO THE KNOB THAT BROKE OFF. *TR

JUST LEFT A AUTO CAR WASH AND WITHIN ABOUT TWO MINUTES SMOKE RISES FROM THE CENTER FLOOR CONSOLE. I PULLED INTO A NEARBY GAS STATION ABOUT A BLOCK AWAY. PARKED AWAY FROM THE PUMPS. DEMANDED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER FROM THE ATTENDANT. RETURNED TO THE CAR AS FLAMES JUST STARTED TO ERUPT FROM THE CONSOLE . THE DRY CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHER MADE QUICK WORK OF THE FIRE. I DON'T THINK BETWEEN THE SMELL & SIGHT OF SMOKE AND PUTTING OUT THE FIRE FIVE MINUTES ELAPSED. I THINK THE WIRING MUST HAVE SHORTED. THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER NEVER WORKED. THE ONLY OTHER THE DEVICE ON THE HARNESS INTO THE CONSOLE IS THE P-R-N-D ILLUMINATION PANEL. THE FIRE CAUSED THE PLASTIC CONSOLE HOUSING TO MELT DOWN INTO THE TOP OF THE TRANSMISSION LINKAGE. THE TOW TUCK OPERATOR WAS ABLE TO CUT THE MELTED PLASTIC OFF OF THE LINKAGE & I WAS ABLE TO DIVE THE CAR HOME, A FEW BLOCKS AWAY. APPARENTLY THERE WASN'T DAMAGE TO THE METAL LINKAGES TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE CARS' BEEN DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. MOMENTS LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEGAN TO LOSE ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,000.

THE KNOB TO ADJUST MY HEATING AND COOLING BROKE OFF. NOW I AM STUCK WITH FREEZING COLD AIR BLOWING ALL YEAR ROUND. THIS EFFECTS MY VISIBILITY AT TIMES BECAUSE I CAN NOT USE DEFROSTER. I WAS TOLD TO REPLACE THE UNIT WOULD BE $300+ LABOR. SEEING AS THOUGH THEY HAVE TO TAKE THE WHOLE DASH APART TO FIX, IT IS QUITE EXPENSIVE. I HAVE READ ONLINE MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. I THINK IF MITSUBISHI GAVE US A BOGUS PART THAT IS GUARANTEED TO BREAK, THEY SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE/RECALL IT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S COOLING FAN STAYED ON FOR THE DURATION OF THE TRIP AND CONTINUED TO RUN AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DRAINED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. UPDATED 11/20/14*LJ UPDATED 4/30/2015 *JS

YES WE HAVE A 2004 MITSIBISHI LANCER. THE HEATER KNOB WILL NOT TURN AND IT EVENTUALLY BROKE TRYING TO TURN. JUST LOOKING OVER THE INTERNET THERE ARE A NUMBER OF CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I NEED TO KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS AND FROM WHAT I CAN TELL THIS IS A CONTINUALLY PROBLEM. HERE IS 20 DEGREES AND WE HAVE NOT HEATER DUE TO THIS DEFECT. FROM WHAT I AM BEING TOLD IT WILL TAKE $800 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I BOUGHT THIS CARE TO HAVE MINIMUM PROBLEMS. PLEASE HELP. *TR

HYDRAULIC CLUTCH SYSTEM DEGRADATION AND FAILURE. MANUAL SHIFTING BECAME MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT TO THE POINT OF DISCOVERING A LEAKING SLAVE CYLINDER. UPON REPLACEMENT, SYMPTOMS REMAINED. COMMENTS FROM OWNERS OF SIMILAR VEHICLES NOTE THAT BOTH SLAVE CYLINDER AND MASTER CYLINDER FAILURES ARE OFTEN CONCURRENT. MASTER CYLINDER IS LOOKING PARTICULARLY GRIMY COMPARED TO THE REST OF ENGINE BAY. REPLACEMENT MASTER CYLINDER IS ON ORDER, CAN REPORT ON FOLLOW UP CONDITIONS SOON. (ASSUMING SUCH INFORMATION IS HELPFUL, AND THAT SUCH FOLLOW UP COMMUNICATION IS AVAILABLE.) VEHICLE IS A 2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER RALLIART (THIS OPTION WAS NOT AVAILABLE ON THE WEBSITE) *KB

THIS CAR KEEPS IDLING HIGH WHEN IT EITHER GETS WARM OUT OR IF I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR A WHILE. I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AND READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS FOR THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED THAT NO ONE SEEMS TO THINK THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER CANNOT EVEN DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE SHE ALMOST CRASHED. EVERY SUMMER I WORRY ABOUT BEING AT A STOP SIGN AND WHILE MY FOOT IS ON THE BREAK THE CAR IS TRYING TO DRIVE. THERE IS SOMETHING OBVIOUSLY WRONG WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. IF YOU GOOGLE IT MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME COMPLAINT COME UP ASKING FOR HELP. *TR

THE TEMPERATURE SELECTION KNOB GETS STUCK IN THE 'COLD' POSITION. THE PROBLEM LIES IN THE AIR BOX INSIDE OF THE DASH WHERE THE AIR BLENDER DOOR IS STUCK. IT MAKES IT DANGEROUS WHEN HEAT IS NEEDED TO DEFROST THE FRONT WINDOW TO SEE. IT IS ALWAYS LIKE THIS AND HAS BEEN FOR 2 YEARS. *TR

HEATER AND A/C CONTROL KNOW IS TOO STIFF TO TURN REQUIRING ME TO ADJUST IT MANUALLY UNDER THE DASH, WHICH IS DANGEROUS OR IMPOSSIBLE WHILE DRIVING. *TR

I TURNED THE KNOB TO HEAT. IT WAS PRETTY STIFF BUT IT WOULD MOVE TO COLD TEMPERATURE FINE. I TRIED IT AGAIN AND THE KNOB AND PART OF THE SHAFT BROKE OFF. I HAD TO DRIVE TO WORK IN THE COLD. GOOD THING I WORKED ABOUT 10 MINUTES AWAY. TODAY I WAS SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET TO SEE HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST. THAT'S WHEN I SAW A COMMENT SAYING THERE WAS A TSB ISSUE ON 04 MODEL LANCERS. LUCKILY I FOUND THIS WEBSITE. HOPE MITSUBISHI WOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, ITS OCTOBER AND I REALLY NEED MY HEATER. *TR

THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN, AND BROKE OFF. THIS MADE FOR A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WOULDN'T DEFROST. I'M ALSO NOW UNABLE TO USE THE HEAT. *TR

THE HEADLIGHT WIRES GET SHORTER?... AND THE LIGHTS BURN OUT ALL THE TIME DUE TO FAULTY WIRING... WHY WON'T MITSUBISHI FIX THIS FOR PEOPLE???????? THEY'RE VERY WRONG TO NOT HELP PEOPLE WITH THIS SAFETY ISSUE................ THE TRANSMISSION SYNCRO GEARS ARE ALSO WORTHLESS. THE ONLY REAL GOOD THING ON THE ENTIRE CAR IS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION!! VISORS DISINTEGRATED ALSO AFTER A FEW YEARS... *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING OUT OF HER DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLES FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING FILLING THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WITH WHITE SMOKE. DUE TO THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG WHICH BLOCKED THE VISION OF THE CONTACT THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A NEARBY UTILITY POLE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO HER FACE AND BODY . A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND A REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 36400.

THE AC/HEATER CONTROLS ON THE DASH, THE KNOB WAS VERY HARD TO TURN TO CHANGE THE AIR FROM HOT TO COLD. THE KNOB HAS NOW BROKEN OFF. I AM FINDING THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX. WE TOOK THE CAR TO SERVICE CENTER AND THEY WILL ADJUST THE LEVER AS THE SEASONS CHANGE. *TR

CLIMATE CONTROL KNOBS ARE STUCK IN PLACE AND CANNOT BE ADJUSTED. THIS STARTED OUT AS AN ANNOYANCE AND QUICKLY BECAME A LIFE-THREATENING DEFECT WHEN I WAS FORCED TO DRIVE DOWN A WINDY MOUNTAIN ROAD AT NIGHT IN A HEAVY SNOWSTORM WITHOUT ANY ABILITY TO DEFROST MY WINDOWS. MITSUBISHI HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS PROBLEM VIA A TSB, AND RESEARCH CLEARLY INDICATES THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2003-2004 LANCERS. MY LOCAL MITSUBISHI DEALER KNEW EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT AND QUOTED THE FIX AROUND $1,300. I COULD HAVE EASILY DIED BECAUSE OF THIS, AND I AM UTTERLY AMAZED THAT THERE HAS SO FAR BEEN NO RECALL FOR SUCH A DANGEROUS AND WIDESPREAD DEFECT. *TR

HEATER CONTROL KNOB WAS HARD TO TURN SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE AND EVENTUALLY BROKE OFF. NOW I AM FORCED TO ADJUST TEMPERATURE USING PLIERS (OR SUFFER PAYING $1,000 TO FIX PROBLEM). NOT EASY TO ADJUST WITH PLIERS WHILE DRIVING AND EXPERIENCING A CHANGE IN WEATHER CONDITIONS. NOW ALSO FEARFUL OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK WHEN TRYING TO ADJUST TEMPERATURE WITH PLIERS. KNOWN DEFECT WILL NOT BE REPAIRED OR COVERED BY MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. *TR

HEATER KNOB BROKE OFF DUE TO LAZY ENGINEERING ON MITSU'S PART. CALLED AND THEY WOULDN'T COVER THE COSTS. *TR

THE CONTROL FOR THE HEATER/AC IS HARD TO TURN. HAS BEEN SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE EVENTUALLY BROKE AND NOW HAVE NO DEFROSTERS TO KEEP WINDOWS DEFROSTED DURING WINTER MONTHS. VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. AFFECTS VISIBILITY AND SAFETY. MITSUBISHI IS WELL AWARE OF THIS DEFECT. WHEN TALKED WITH DEALER, HE KNEW THE PROBLEM AND PRICE OF REPAIR, WITHOUT SEEING THE VEHICLE. MANY CONSUMERS ONLINE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MITSUBISHI SINCE 2002. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE TO HAVE THIS RECALLED. *TR

I OWN A 2004 MITSUBISHI LANCE RALLIART SEDAN. THE AIR CONTROL SWITCH (KNOB USED TO ADJUST THE TEMPERATURE) BEGAN STICKING/CATCHING ABOUT IN ABOUT 2006 (MY CAR WAS ALREADY OUT OF THE WARRANTY TIME FRAME DUE TO MILEAGE). THE SWITCH THEN BROKE COMPLETELY OFF IN 2008. TO FIX THE PROBLEM THE DEALERSHIP NEEDS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HEATING CONTROL UNIT, MODIFY (CUT) THE DAMPER, AND INSTALL A NEW LEVER WHICH COSTS OVER $1600. I FOUND THAT THIS SAME HEATER CONTROL UNIT HAS BEEN USED SINCE 2002 IN LANCERS, GALANTS, ENDEAVORS, AND OTHER MODELS - ALL HAVING THE SAME ISSUE - IT EVENTUALLY FAILS AND THE OWNER IS STUCK PAYING MORE THAN $1600 TO FIX WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED IN LATTER MODELS OR SIMPLY FIXED WITH A NEW SWITCH. *TR

THE HEATER KNOB WON'T MOVE TO HEAT ON MY 2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER CAUSING NO HEAT TO COME FROM THE HEATERS. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE MY WINDOWS ICE UP DURING WINTER AND CANNOT DEFROST EVEN ON REGULAR DAYS. *TR

THE HVAC(KNOBS ON THE DASH FOR AC UNIT) TEMPERATURE KNOB HAS BROKEN OFF. IN THE PREVIOUS MONTHS IT BECAME INCREASINGLY MORE DIFFICULT TO TURN FROM HOT TO COLD. CHECKING ONLINE I LOCATED A TEMPORARY FIX INVOLVING REACHING UNDER THE DASH NEAR THE GAS PEDAL AND PULL/PUSHING THE FLAP THAT CONTROL WARM/COLD. NOT BEING ABLE TO ACTIVELY CHANGE THE TEMPERATURE IS A HAZARD IN FLORIDA AS WE CAN SUDDENLY CHANGE FROM SUNNY 'WINDOWS DOWN' WEATHER TO TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS WITH WINDOWS FOGGED. LIKEWISE MY NIECE AND NEPHEW CANNOT RIDE WITH ME ON OUR 'HOT' DAYS AS THE TEMPERATURE COULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO THEIR HEALTH WITHOUT A WORKING AC UNIT. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO REPLACE THE KNOB OR THE WIRE THAT RUNS FROM IT TO THE FLAP AS THIS UNIT IS DAMAGED ON ALL THE 'USED' HVAC UNITS AT THE CAR LOTS I HAVE CHECKED FOR PARTS.