FaultScore

2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution transmission problems

70 of the 116 complaints about the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution are about the transmission — 60% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 7,853 miles.

F

70

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Clutch Assembly 44 62.9%
Manual Transmission 11 15.7%
Transfer Case (4-WHEEL Drive) 8 11.4%
Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle) 3 4.3%
Bell Housing 2 2.9%
Power Train 1 1.4%
Differential Unit 1 1.4%

Transmission & Drivetrain across every Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution year

2003 70 60.3%
2008 26 22.4%
2010 20 17.2%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 48,000 miles Santa Barbara, CA

POWER TRAIN

2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION. LOUD GRINDING NOISES COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION WITHIN A FEW THOUSAND MILES. CARS UNDER 8 THOUSAND MILES HAVING TO REPLACE CLUTCHES AND TRANSMISSIONS. GEARS POPPING INTO NEUTRAL. DEALERSHIP ACCEPTED WARRANTY AND IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON THE CAR. CAR WAS RETURNED A 2ND TIME TO BE LOOKED AT AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10251551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Orchard Park, NY

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

THE 5TH GEAR SYNCRO HAS FAILED ON THE CAR AT 60,000 MILES. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT TO MITSUBISHI AND THEY HAVE DEVELOPED NEW, STRONGER PARTS AS PART OF A TSB. HOWEVER, MITSUBISHI IS REFUSING TO REPAIR THE DEFECT CITING "ABUSE".

NHTSA complaint #10237677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 26,000 miles Fort Carson, CO

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

I BOUGHT MY 2003 MITSUBISHI EVO SHORTLY AFTER RETURNING FROM A TOUR IN IRAQ IN 2006, AFTER A SHORT TIME OF DRIVING THE CAR I NOTICED A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE CAR WHEN I LET THE CLUTCH OUT IN 1ST GEAR, AND NOW REVERSE AS WELL. I BOUGHT THE CAR UNDER ORIGINAL FACTORY WARRANTY AND WENT AS FAR AS TO PURCHASE THE PLATNUM EXTENDED WARRANTY. AFTER REPLACING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN PARTS ON MY CAR IT HAS COME DOWN TO THE CLUTCH, WHICH IS A WEAR ITEM AND NOT COVERED. THE MORE DISTURBING PORTION OF THIS IS THAT I WAS TOLD ON MY SECOND VISIT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS PROBLEM THAT THE CAR WAS SOLD TO ME WITH AN AFTERMARKET CLUTCH, AND THAT SHOULD HAVE VOIDED THE ORIGINAL FACTORY WARRANTY IN THE FIRST PLACE, TO INCLUDE MY EXTENDED WARRANTY AS WELL. NOW I AM STUCK WITH THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE TO LOOK FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE.

NHTSA complaint #10214473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Shady Side, MD

POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

I LAUNCHED MY CAR FROM ABOUT 5500RPM. I PREVIOUSLY HAD A NEW EXEDY CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL INSTALLED ABOUT 2 MONTHS EARLIER. THE CAR JUMPED BUT WOULDN'T GO ANYWHERE AFTER I LET THE CLUTCH OUT. I THOUGHT MAYBE FIRST GEAR WAS GONE BUT WHEN I TRIED ALL THE OTHER GEARS IT SEEMED AS IF THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL. I HAD THE CAR TAKEN TO A LOCAL PERFORMANCE SHOP AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS BEING MY TRANSFER CASE. THE TOTAL COST FOR THE NEW OEM TRANSFER CASE WITH FRONT DIFFERENTIAL AND LABOR TO PUT IT IN WAS AROUND 3400. MITSUBISHI NEEDS TO ACT ON THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT AND HAVE HEARD MANY STORIES FROM EVO OWNERS ABOUT THEIR TRANSFER CASE ISSUES.

NHTSA complaint #10203601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 33,000 miles Pensacola, FL

POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

I AM CURRENTLY ON THE 5TH TRANSFER CASE FOR MY 03 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION 8. I HAD 2 GO OUT UNDER WARRANTY, ANOTHER REBUILT AND NOW I AM ON MY LAST ONE. THE FIRST WENT AT ~33K, REPLACED AND BROKEN WITHIN A MONTH REGULAR HIGHWAY DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #10184129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,000 miles Tampa, FL

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED AND ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION HE TURNED ON THE IGNITION WHILE IN NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER STATED EVERYONE WITH THE SAME VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10180975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 13,506 miles Brick, NJ

POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH MY TRANSFER CASE ON MY 2003 MITSUBISHI EVOLUTION UNEXPLAINABLE BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD WHINING NOISE, ALTHOUGH ONLY HAVING ROUGHLY 13,500 MILES. AS I PULLED THE CAR OVER I COULD HERE THAT THERE WAS A METALLIC CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE TRANSFER CASE ALSO. TO CORRECT THIS THE TRANSFER CASE WILL NEED TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10175732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 8,057 miles King OF Prussia, PA

POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

AFTER ONLY 8057 MILES ON MY 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION, MY TRANSFER CASE STARTED TO WHINE QUITE BADLY. AFTER READING SOME TECH ARTICLES, I FOUND THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON FAILURE. I ALSO KNOW THAT MITSUBISHI HAS HAD TRANSFER CASE RECALLS IN THE PAST DUE TO THEIR POOR REAR SEAL DESIGN. THE RECALLS WERE BASED OFF OF LAWSUITS AND DEATHS TO INDIVIDUALS DRIVING THEIR VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN ALL FOUR WHEELS HAVE LOCKED ON THEM CAUSING CATASTROPHIC LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. BASED ON MITSUBISHI'S TRACK RECORD, AND THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF LIFE THREATENING CONDITIONS UNDER TRANSFER CASE FAILURE, IT IS A NEGLIGENT ACT FOR THEM TO OVERLOOK THIS PROBLEM. A RECALL IS NECESSARY FOR PUBLIC SAFETY!

NHTSA complaint #10175271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 48,956 miles Hamilton, MO

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT USED. STILL HAS REMAINING FACTORY POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. VEHICLE HAD CLUTCH PROBLEMS WHEN I TOOK DELIVERY OF VEHICLE IN JULY. DEALER WAS INFORMED OF PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY AFTER TEST DRIVING VEHICLE. DEALER PROTESTED A REPLACEMENT. HAD SERVICE RECORDS PULLED FOR VEHICLE. CLUTCH WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY FOR FIRST OWNER. DEALER REPLACED DISC AND PRESSURE PLATE. LEFT ASSEMBLY LINE THROWOUT BEARING ON VEHICLE. STATED THAT IT IS A "NON-WEAR" ITEM. THROWOUT BEARING FAILED TO DISENGAGE CAUSING DISC FRICTION MATERIAL TO BE "SPUN" SOME TIME BACK. DEALER WAS INFORMED OF THIS INCIDENT. AGAIN, PROTESTED REPLACEMENT STATING IT IS A "NON-WARRANTY ITEM". CLUTCH IS CONSIDERED A WEAR ITEM, EVEN THOUGHT IT IS THE INTEGRAL LINK IN THE POWERTRAIN ASSEMBLY. CLUTCH COMPLETELY FAILED AND LEFT THIS AUTHOR STRANDED 45 MILES FROM HOME, ON THIS DATE. DEALER AGAIN NOTIFIED AND ONCE AGAIN, I WAS DENIED A CLAIM.

NHTSA complaint #10172604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,000 miles Sikeston, MO

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

3RD GEAR SYNRO WENT BAD AFTER 32000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10161206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kansas City, MO

POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

03 EVO HEARD GRINDING NOISES IN MY TRANNY OR TRANSFER CASE AREA @ 15K MILES.. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WON'T CHECK IT IF ITS NOT BROKEN..THEY DID REPLACE A DRIVE SHAFT BUT NOISE WAS STILL THERE.. MY CLUTCH IS NOW SLIPPING @ 24K..

NHTSA complaint #10150621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,750 miles Slingerlands, NY

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

CLUTCH FAILED AT 16K MILES AFTER 18 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. THE DEALER OFFERED TO EXAMINE IT FOR POSSIBLE WARRANTY COVERAGE, BUT BECAUSE OF PARTICIPATION IN AUTOCROSS EVENTS, THE WARRANTY CLAIM WOULD HAVE BEEN DENIED. HOWEVER, AUTOCROSSING DID NOT CONTRIBUTE ANY SIGNIFICANT WEAR TO THE CLUTCH ANY MORE SO THAN NORMAL EVERY DAY DRIVING. AS A 25 YEAR, SEASONED DRIVER OF MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THIS WAS THE FIRST CLUTCH I'VE EVER HAD FAIL ON A VEHICLE. BASED ON FEEDBACK FROM OTHER EVO OWNERS, VIA THE EVOLUTIONM.NET WEB SITE, I REPLACED THE CLUTCH WITH A NON-STOCK CLUTCH DUE TO THE INHERENT WEAKNESS OF THE STOCK PART.

NHTSA complaint #10145508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 17,300 miles Port Charlotte, FL

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

FAILURE OF 5TH GEAR. MITSUBISHI HAS A CURRENT TSB RELEASED ON THIS FAILURE AND DENIED REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. THE WARRANTY CLAIM WAS DENIED DUE TO THE FACT THAT AN AFTERMARKET CLUTCH, OF HIGHER QUALITY WAS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE AFTER FAILURE OF MANUFACTURER INSTALLED CLUTCH.

NHTSA complaint #10134603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Macomb, IL

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

SINCE I HAVE HAD MY 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION VIII I HAVE HAD 4 PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE DRIVETRAIN. FIRST AT 1300 MILES, MY CLUTCH WENT OUT. IT WAS NOT WARRANTED EVEN THOUGH THE MITSUBISHI WARRANTY SAID 12000 MILES OR 12 MONTHS. THEN AGAIN AT ABOUT 14000 MILES THE CLUTCH FAILED AGAIN, AND IT WAS STILL NOT A WARRANTY PROBLEM. FINALLY AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES AROUND THE MIDDLE OF FEBRUARY THIS YEAR THE CENTER DIFFERENTIAL BLEW, CAUSING THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. FORTUNATELY THAT WAS WARRANTED, ALTHOUGH I STILL HAD TO PAY FOR A THIRD CLUTCH. I WAS WITH OUT MY CAR FOR OVER A MONTH WHILE I HAD TO WAIT FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND A TRANSMISSION TO REPLACE MINE.

NHTSA complaint #10130673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Auburndale, MA

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

CLUTCH STARTED SLIPPING AFTER 12,000 MILES. NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA complaint #10124944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,000 miles Hope Mills, NC

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

1) I AM IN THE MILITARY DEPLOYED TO AFGHANISTAN... 1 MONTH BEFORE I DEPLOYED MY STOCK CLUTCH WAS SLIPPING. THIS IS NOT COVERED BY MITSUBISHI'S WARRANTY. I WAS READING ON MY FORUMS AND THERE WERE AT LEAST 2 TO 300 PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM ALL AROUND 5000 MILES ON THE CAR REGARDLESS OF HOW THE CAR WAS DRIVEN. I PURCHASED A NEW CLUTCH, $1300 AND HAD THE DEALERSHIP INSTALL IT FOR $800 FIGURING THAT THEY WOULD WARRANTY THERE WORK. I DEPLOYED TO AFGHANISTAN, CAME BACK AND ABOUT 2 MONTHS OF DRIVING THE CAR MY CAR WAS MAKING A HI SQUEALING NOISE. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE CLUTCH. ALTHOUGH THEY DID NO OTHER INSPECTION. I ORDERED A NEW CLUTCH HAD THEM INSTALL IT... SAME PROBLEM CONTINUED. SO I PAID ANOTHER 700 FOR A NEW CLUTCH FOR NO REASON. THEN THEY REDIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THEY REPLACED THAT UNDER WARRANTY... PROBLEM WAS FIXED. I WAS BABYING THE CAR FOR A WEEK OR SO BECAUSE OF THE CLUTCH BREAK IN PERIOD IS SUGGESTED 1000 MILES. WHILE DOING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR NOISE CAME BACK JUST AS BAD AS BEFORE... CALLED MITSUBISHI AND THEY REFUSED REPAIR BY ORDER OF THE DISTRICT REP. 2. THE NOISE HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE AND HAS CAUSED MY CAR TO BE SLUGGISH NOW. I WOULD LIKE MY DRIVETRAIN TO HAVE A THOROUGH INSPECTION AND FIXED WHERE NECESSARY. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR MY CLUTCH THAT I HAD TO BUY THAT WASN'T FAULTY TO BEGIN WITH. I ALSO THINK MITSUBISHI NEEDS TO ADHERE TO A WARRANTY ON THERE DRIVETRAIN. REGARDLESS IF YOU INSTALL AN AFTERMARKET CLUTCH IN YOUR CAR, THE DRIVETRAIN SHOULD BE COVERED. WHO IN THERE RIGHT MIND WOULD PAY FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A NEW STOCK CLUTCH AND FLY WHEEL IF ITS JUST GOING TO GO BAD AT THE SAME TIME YOU NEED YOUR OIL CHANGE.

NHTSA complaint #10106249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,000 miles Cherry Hill, NJ

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10104443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 11,000 miles Lodi, CA

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

MITSUBISHI EVOLUTION CLUTCH FAILURE, I BOUGHT A 2003 LANCER EVOLUTION 8, I HAD IT FOR LESS THEN 5000 MILES BEFORE THE CLUTCH STARTED TO WEAR DOWN, I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER FOR WARRANTY WORK, THEY ACCEPTED THE WARRANTY WORK, ADDING THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE CHARGED ME 1500$ FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE IT WAS ABUSE, NOW THE CAR IS AT 10,000 MILES DOING THE SAME THING, I USE THIS CAR TO GO TO AND FROM WORK ONLY, SINCE I HAVE TWO CARS, NOW THEY WONT EVEN TAKE MY CALLS, IF I MENTION LANCER EVOLUTION CLUTCH TO ANY MITSUBISHI WARRANTY DEPARTMENT, THEY CUT ME OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF A SENTENCE AND SAY"THE CLUTCH WEAR IS CAUSED BY ABUSE, SIR THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE CLUTCH IT IS YOUR FAULT!" THEN PROCEED TO HANG UP ON ME. IM TIRED OF THIS, AND IM NOT GOING TO PAY UP TO 1900 FOR A PROBLEM THEY CAUSED. MY CAR IS NOW IN OPERABLE! 3 DAYS AFTER THE CLUTCH STARTED SLIPPING!

NHTSA complaint #10104093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 2,995 miles Abilene, TX

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

THE CLUTCH IN MY 2003 MITSUBISHI EVOLUTION FAILED HAVING 2995 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD 600 MILES ON IT WHEN IT WAS PURCHASED. WE HAD IT REPAIRED AT THE DEALER AT A COST OF $950. THEY PAID FOR 20% OF THE REPAIRS BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO BEING SOLD.

NHTSA complaint #10102821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 3,200 miles Allentown, PA

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 MITSUBISHI EVOLUTION VIII WITH ABOUT 300 MILES ON APRIL 28TH 2004. APPROX. 3 MONTHS LATER I NOTICED THAT THE CLUTCH STARTED TO SLIP IN SECOND GEAR. I THEN PROCEEDED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THE CLUTCH WAS BLOWN. AT THIS TIME I HAD APPOX. 3200 MILES ON MY NEW VEHICLE. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A REPLACEMENT CLUTCH PUT IN AND THAT FOR THEM TO EVEN LOOK AT THE CLUTCH IT WOULD COST $500 FOR THEM TO DROP THE PARTS NEEDED TO CONFIRM THIS PROBLEM, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS RIDICULOUS BECAUSE I WAS AT TRHE MERCY OF THE DEALERSHIP AND MITSUBISHI'S SUB-PAR REPLACEMENT PART. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL PERFORMANCE SHOP WHERE THEY INSTRUCTED ME TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH WITH A MORE DURABLE AND WELL KNOW ACT RACE DICS. IN DOING THE REPAIR ALSO THE FLYWHEEL SEEMED TO BE DAMAGED SO THAT WAS REPLACED AS WELL. THE CAR WAS NOT EVER RACED OR EVER ABUSED OR DRIVEN TO ANY EXTENT OF WEARING PARTS EXCESSIVLY. THIS I FEEL IS KNOWN NEGLIGENCE OF SUB-PAR PARTS USED IN THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10102186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 3,200 miles Allentown, PA

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:BELL HOUSING

I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 MITSUBISHI EVOLUTION VIII WITH ABOUT 300 MILES ON APRIL 28TH 2004. APPROX. 3 MONTHS LATER I NOTICED THAT THE CLUTCH STARTED TO SLIP IN SECOND GEAR. I THEN PROCEEDED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THE CLUTCH WAS BLOWN. AT THIS TIME I HAD APPOX. 3200 MILES ON MY NEW VEHICLE. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A REPLACEMENT CLUTCH PUT IN AND THAT FOR THEM TO EVEN LOOK AT THE CLUTCH IT WOULD COST $500 FOR THEM TO DROP THE PARTS NEEDED TO CONFIRM THIS PROBLEM, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS RIDICULOUS BECAUSE I WAS AT TRHE MERCY OF THE DEALERSHIP AND MITSUBISHI'S SUB-PAR REPLACEMENT PART. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL PERFORMANCE SHOP WHERE THEY INSTRUCTED ME TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH WITH A MORE DURABLE AND WELL KNOW ACT RACE DICS. IN DOING THE REPAIR ALSO THE FLYWHEEL SEEMED TO BE DAMAGED SO THAT WAS REPLACED AS WELL. THE CAR WAS NOT EVER RACED OR EVER ABUSED OR DRIVEN TO ANY EXTENT OF WEARING PARTS EXCESSIVLY. THIS I FEEL IS KNOWN NEGLIGENCE OF SUB-PAR PARTS USED IN THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10102186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 3,200 miles Allentown, PA

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)

I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 MITSUBISHI EVOLUTION VIII WITH ABOUT 300 MILES ON APRIL 28TH 2004. APPROX. 3 MONTHS LATER I NOTICED THAT THE CLUTCH STARTED TO SLIP IN SECOND GEAR. I THEN PROCEEDED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THE CLUTCH WAS BLOWN. AT THIS TIME I HAD APPOX. 3200 MILES ON MY NEW VEHICLE. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A REPLACEMENT CLUTCH PUT IN AND THAT FOR THEM TO EVEN LOOK AT THE CLUTCH IT WOULD COST $500 FOR THEM TO DROP THE PARTS NEEDED TO CONFIRM THIS PROBLEM, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS RIDICULOUS BECAUSE I WAS AT TRHE MERCY OF THE DEALERSHIP AND MITSUBISHI'S SUB-PAR REPLACEMENT PART. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL PERFORMANCE SHOP WHERE THEY INSTRUCTED ME TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH WITH A MORE DURABLE AND WELL KNOW ACT RACE DICS. IN DOING THE REPAIR ALSO THE FLYWHEEL SEEMED TO BE DAMAGED SO THAT WAS REPLACED AS WELL. THE CAR WAS NOT EVER RACED OR EVER ABUSED OR DRIVEN TO ANY EXTENT OF WEARING PARTS EXCESSIVLY. THIS I FEEL IS KNOWN NEGLIGENCE OF SUB-PAR PARTS USED IN THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10102186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ellicott City, MD

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION WAS PURCHASED NEW 84 DAYS AGO WITH 1200 DEALER TEST DRIVE MILES. CLUTCH FAILED AT 4500 MILES. I HAVE CALLED MITSUBISHI AND THE DEALERSHIP, BOTH REFUSE TO COVER THE CLUTCH UNDER WARRANTY. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND MITSUBISHI CONSISTENTLY BLAMES THE CONSUMER. I HAVE NOT MISTREATED THE CAR. THE DEALER DROVE THE CAR HARDER THAN I EVER HAVE WHILE ON THE TEST DRIVE.

NHTSA complaint #10100811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 19,050 miles Hanover, PA

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

I HAVE A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION. AT 19,000 MILES THE CAR DEVELOPED A VERY LOUD SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR AT SPEEDS ABOVE 30MPH. I WORK AT A AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND CONCLUDED THAT THE SOUND IS COMING FROM THE TRANSFER ASE/FRONT DIFFERENTIAL. MORE THAN LIKELY FROM RING GEAR BEING IMPROPERLY SHIMMED FROM THE FACTORY. IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT RESOLVED WITH THE TRANSFERCASE/FRONT DIFFERENTIAL, WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS WITH OTHER LANCER EVOLUTION OWNERS THERE IS A CHANCE THAT THE TRANSFERCASE/DIFFERENTIAL COULD LOCK UP CAUSING A ACCIDENT OR CAUSE MORE DAMAGE TO OTHER PARTS OF THE DRIVETRAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10098093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 19,050 miles Hanover, PA

POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

I HAVE A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION. AT 19,000 MILES THE CAR DEVELOPED A VERY LOUD SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR AT SPEEDS ABOVE 30MPH. I WORK AT A AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND CONCLUDED THAT THE SOUND IS COMING FROM THE TRANSFER ASE/FRONT DIFFERENTIAL. MORE THAN LIKELY FROM RING GEAR BEING IMPROPERLY SHIMMED FROM THE FACTORY. IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT RESOLVED WITH THE TRANSFERCASE/FRONT DIFFERENTIAL, WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS WITH OTHER LANCER EVOLUTION OWNERS THERE IS A CHANCE THAT THE TRANSFERCASE/DIFFERENTIAL COULD LOCK UP CAUSING A ACCIDENT OR CAUSE MORE DAMAGE TO OTHER PARTS OF THE DRIVETRAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10098093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Culleoka, TN

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

CLUTCH SLIPPING AT LESS THAN 10,000 MILES. CAR IS NOT RACED NOR ABUSED.

NHTSA complaint #10090913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Centerburg, OH

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

BOUGHT MY 2003 EVO ON AUGUST 18TH 2004...ON AUGUST 20TH THE CLUTCH WENT OUT WITH ONLY 14K MILES, I HAD JUST BROKE 150 MILES IN THE 2 DAYS....FOUND OUT THE CLUTCH WASNT WARRANTIED BUT THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT OFF OF FELT BAD AND AGREED TO PAY FOR IT TO GET FIXED...I DIDNT LOSE ANYTHING OUT OF THE DEAL BUT READIN SOME OF THESE COMPLAINTS AND SEEIN MITSU SAYS WE ALL DRIVE OUR CARS TOO HARD, THATS A LOT OF PPL!! BUT SO WHAT IF WE DO, THE CAR IS MADE TO DRIVE FAST, IT SHOULD HAVE THE CLUTCH IN IT TO BE ABLE TO TAKE THE POWER AND HANDLE THE AWD.....IF THIS ONE GOES OUT, IM PUTTIN IN A DOUBLE DISK SO I WONT HAVE TO WORRY AGAIN...MITSU'S WARRANTY POLICY ON AFTERMARKET PARTS SUCKS TOO.

NHTSA complaint #10090599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,700 miles Watsonville, CA

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

MY MANUAL TRANSMISSION IN MY LANCER EVOLUTION STARTED TO FEEL ROUGH AROUND 350 MILES I THOUGHT IN WAS NORMAL SINCE IT WAS A NEW CAR. BUT AROUND 1700 MILES THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE I TOOK IT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT FORM BUT THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS FINE, SO I TOOK IT HOME THE WAY IT WAS. I NOW HAVE 5000 MILES AND MY CLUTCH IS ALL WORN OUT AND MY DEALER REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH I HAVE NEVER ABUSED OF THE CAR I AM STILL TRYING TO BREAK IT IN. SO I THINK IT DOES NOT MAKE SINCE THAT I WOULD HAVE TO CHANGE MY CLUTCH 20 TIMES BEFORE MY 100,000 MILES. SO I DON'T THINK THE CLUTCH WENT OUT UNDER NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS CAR THERE HAVE BEEN TO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10088128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,700 miles Watsonville, CA

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION 8.

NHTSA complaint #10086995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,500 miles Laurel, MD

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

JUST WITH TALKING TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR MY 2003 MITSUBISHI EVOLUTION THEY ARE TELLING ME MISTUBISHI IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT THE CLUTCH FAILURE PROBLEM . THEY ARE STATING THAT IT'S ALL OF US DRIVERS FAULTS. AND THERE APPEARS TO BE LOTS OF COMPLAINTS.*AK CLUTCH IS SLIPPING. NO FAILURE YET. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE YET. WAITING TO HEAR MORE.

NHTSA complaint #10082784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution problems

← Full 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution report