FaultScore

2003 Mitsubishi Lancer transmission problems

53 of the 242 complaints about the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer are about the transmission — 22% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 11,000 miles.

D

53

Complaints

3

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Automatic Transmission 19 35.8%
Clutch Assembly 17 32.1%
Power Train 6 11.3%
Manual Transmission 5 9.4%
Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle) 2 3.8%
Axle Assembly 2 3.8%
Transfer Case (4-WHEEL Drive) 1 1.9%
Bell Housing 1 1.9%

Transmission & Drivetrain across every Mitsubishi Lancer year

2002 22 18.2%
2003 53 43.8%
2008 11 9.1%
2009 14 11.6%
2016 21 17.4%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 149,000 miles ST. Petersburg, FL

POWER TRAIN

VEHICLE DECIDED TO SHIFT TO LOW GEAR WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. IT SHIFT GEARS AUTOMATICALLY FOR NO REASON.

NHTSA complaint #10701622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Fort Worth, TX

POWER TRAIN

TL* 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.

NHTSA complaint #10536801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Fort Smith, AR

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #10532271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100 miles Tracy, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I HAVE TWO ISSUES WHICH SEEM TO HAVE BOTH ALREADY BEEN REPORTED. 1. WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION WILL IDLE HIGH WHILE DRIVING, BUT THE VEHICLE IS NOT SPEEDING UP. THEN WITHOUT WARNING THE TRANSMISSION CATCHES, AND THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD. THIS IS A RANDOM ISSUE THAT HAPPENS DAILY WITH THE VEHICLE. SERVICING THE TRANSMISSION HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM AND CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM TO THIS DAY. 2.THE HEATER/AC CONTROL KNOW BECAME VERY DIFFICULTY TO CHANGE BETWEEN HEATER AND A/C. THE SWITCH HAS FINALLY BROKE OFF, AND NOW I'M UNABLE TO SWITCH BETWEEN HEATER AND A/C. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND THIS ALSO SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. I HAVE FOUND MOST OTHER AUTO OWNERS HAVE PAID FOR THE REPLACEMENT, BUT ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM OCCUR AGAIN. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON BOTH OF THESE ISSUES AND IS HAS BEEN REPORTED AS FAR BACK AS 2004, AND AT THIS POINT I DO SEE ANY RECALLS BY MITSUBISHI TO FIX EITHER OF THE PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10401304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 68,000 miles Lenoir, NC

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER OZ RALLY(NA). THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER WAS LEAKING FLUID; THE FOLLOWING DAY THE CLUTCH PETAL WAS NO LONGER OPERABLE. THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 68,000. UPDATED 04/12/11

NHTSA complaint #10374962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 141,000 miles Auburn, GA

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #10347807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 114,000 miles LAS Vegas, NV Crash

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHEN DRIVING MY LANCER EITHER ON CITY OR HIGHWAY, IT REFUSES TO SHIFT. THE RPMS GO UP, BUT THE CAR WONT ACCELERATE. IT ACTUALLY SLOWS DOWN AS IF I'M PRESSING ON THE BRAKES (AND IM NOT) THEN OUT OF NOWHERE THE GEAR WILL SHIFT AND THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. IT DOES THIS ALL THE TIME. THE LAST TIME IT DID IT I RAN INTO A CAR. THIS IS A HUGE HAZARD. WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKES THE CAR ALMOST STOPS, THEN JUMPS FORWARD ABOUT 2 FEET BEFORE ACTUALLY STOPPING. THIS IS A HORRIBLE THING TO DO TO A DRIVER. THE CAR LITERALLY HAS A MIND OF IT'S OWN AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I'VE SEEN COMPLAINTS ABOUT OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND ALL OF THEM SAY THAT THEIR TRANSMISSION DIED COMPLETELY THUS LEAVING THEIR CAR PERMANENTLY MOTIONLESS. I CAN'T EVEN LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING THIS FIXED...I CAN ONLY LOOK FORWARD TO.....NOTHING. I CAN'T SELL THE CAR NOR GET A NEW ONE BECAUSE I'VE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY ON THIS LANCER AND NOTHING FIXES IT. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE BRAKE PADS, THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, THE TIRES, THE GAS PEDAL LINE, AND AIR IN THE BRAKES... I HAD ALL OF THESE THINGS REPLACE AND NO CHEAP COSTS AND IT'S STILL NOT FIXED. PLEASE! ORDER MITSUBISHI TO RECALL THIS DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION! IT SHOULD BE A CRIME TO SELL SUCH A DEFECTIVE AND DEADLY PRODUCT. MITSUBISHI SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED! ALSO, WHEN THE CAR'S RPMS ARE ABOVE 4000, THE POWER STEERING DIES AND I CANNOT TURN LEFT OR RIGHT, THUS I LOSE ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE HENDERSON NV DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NO TYPE OF RECALL AND EVERYTHING SHOULD BE FINE....I'VE NEARLY CRASHED AND PROBABLY COULD HAVE LOST MY LIFE COUNTLESS TIMES. COUNTLESS. MITSUBISHI SHOULD BE BANNED FROM MAKING VEHICLES IN AMERICA!

NHTSA complaint #10346248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,000 miles Austin, TX

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE CLUTCH AREA. EVERY TIME I RELEASE THE CLUTCH ON MY CAR I HEAR THIS KNOCKING NOISE, WHEN I DEPRESS THE CLUTCH THE NOISE GOES AWAY.

NHTSA complaint #10244113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Hamburg, NY

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER. AXLE BEARING FAILED ON PASSENGER SIDE. I REPLACED IT. INNER TIE ROD TORE OUT OF OUTER TIE ROD. I REPLACED THEM. FOR SAFETY REASONS I DECIDED TO REPLACE THE CORRESPOND DRIVERS SIDE PARTS. WHEN I STARTED TO REMOVE THE HUB ASSEMBLY THE DRIVE AXLE FELL FROM THE CAR IN THREE PIECES. NO LOCAL OR NATIONAL CHAIN COULD LOCATE THE AXLE WHICH THEY ALL SAID COST ABOUT $75.00.MITSUBISHI TOLD ME IT WOULD BE $753.00. WHILE I AGREE THAT I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO REPLACE THE FAILED PART, I ALSO FEEL A FILE SHOULD BE OPENED SINCE THIS REPRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10204253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Hamburg, NY

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER. AXLE BEARING FAILED ON PASSENGER SIDE. I REPLACED IT. INNER TIE ROD TORE OUT OF OUTER TIE ROD. I REPLACED THEM. FOR SAFETY REASONS I DECIDED TO REPLACE THE CORRESPOND DRIVERS SIDE PARTS. WHEN I STARTED TO REMOVE THE HUB ASSEMBLY THE DRIVE AXLE FELL FROM THE CAR IN THREE PIECES. NO LOCAL OR NATIONAL CHAIN COULD LOCATE THE AXLE WHICH THEY ALL SAID COST ABOUT $75.00.MITSUBISHI TOLD ME IT WOULD BE $753.00. WHILE I AGREE THAT I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO REPLACE THE FAILED PART, I ALSO FEEL A FILE SHOULD BE OPENED SINCE THIS REPRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10204253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Kansas City, MO

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I BOUGHT MY 2003 LANCER ES WHEN IT HAD 16,000 MILES ON IT, BY ABOUT 30,000 MILES I NOTICED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO BE SLIPPING, SOMETIMES WHEN DRIVING AND I WOULD LET UP ON ACCELERATOR TO SLOW AND THEN WOULD DEPRESS ACCELERATOR AGAIN THE CAR WOULD ACT LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL, CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE, THIS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY AND AT SLOW SPEEDS, 30 MILES AN HOUR OR SLOWER. ON 8-25-05 I TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AT NORTHTOWNE MITSUBISHI AND REPORTED THIS PROBLEM AND THAT THE RIGHT PASSENGER BALL JOINT HAD FAILED INSPECTION AT 34000 MILES. I ASKED THE DEALER TO LOOK AT TRANSMISSION AT THE SAME TIME, I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD CHECK IT OUT, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION DEVELOPED A MEMORY AND IF ONE PERSON DROVE IT HARDER THAT ANOTHER THIS COULD HAPPEN, SOUNDED LIKE A BUNCH OF HOOEY TO ME, BUT I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT CARS. I TOOK THE CAR BACK IN ON DEC. 30, 2005 FOR A RECALL ON CAR,SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE EMISSIONS AND AGAIN COMPLAINED ABOUT TRANSMISSION, WAS TOLD AGAIN, NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. NOW MY CAR IS MAKING A WHINING NOISE, TOOK THE CAR TO A GOODYEAR SERVICE CENTER AND WAS TOLD MY TRANSMISSION WAS THE PROBLEM AND NEEDS REPAIR, MY CAR HAS APPROX 43000 MILES ON IT. THE DEALER NEVER PUT ON MY SERVICE TICKETS TO LOOK AT TRANSMISSION, JUST TO CHECK OVER VEHICLE. I FEEL THEY WERE TRYING TO PUT ME OFF TILL MY CAR WENT OUT OF WARRANTY. MY POWERTRAIN IS NOW STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE REST IS NOT. I AM VERY UPSET.

NHTSA complaint #10151780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mentor, OH

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

CAR HAD MANUAL TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ROUGHLY AT 30K, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AGAIN, NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. CAR IS RUSTING ON FRAME, ON EXTERIOR, CARPET INSIDE IS PAPER THIN, ROAD SALT HAD EATEN THROUGH IT - ALREADY HAVE VISIBLE RUST ON WHEEL WELL. THIS CAR IS PATHETIC, WOULDN'T GIVE THIS MAKE TO MY WORSE ENEMY. I WILL BE MAKING ANOTHER PHONE CALL TO MITSUBISHI MOTORS. DEFINITELY A LEMON IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD.

NHTSA complaint #10151579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 77,000 miles Gresham, OR

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

EVER SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR 2 YEARS AGO IT HAS SPUTTERED AND JERKED BUT AT FIRST NOT THAT BAD. THE LAST YEAR HAS BEEN THE WORST. IT STAYS REVVED UP AND THEN IT WILL KICK INTO GEAR. FINALLY CHRISTMAS EVE IT BROKE DOWN. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME IT IS A HAIR LINE CRACK ABOUT 2 INCHES LONG ON THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING. SURE ENOUGH THERE IS AND I HAVE A DEAD CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10146597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 61,603 miles LA Grange, IL

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPS/SKIPS WHILE SPEEDING UP AROUND TWENTY FIVE MILES PER HOUR, AND THIS OCCURS WHEN BREAKING QUICKLY. WHEN BREAKING QUICKLY, CAR WILL THEN JUMP FORWARD WHEN THE TRANSMISSION CATCHES. I BELIEVE THIS HAS ALWAYS SLIGHTLY BEEN THERE, BUT I BELIEVE MY SLOW DRIVING HAS MASKED THE ISSUE. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED AND THEN THE DEALER DID TWO RECALL CHANGES, AND AFTER THE SKIPPING ISSUES WAS VERY MUCH THERE. AFTER READING THE OTHER COMPLAINTS, I AM SURE THIS IS THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG. PRD.

NHTSA complaint #10141305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 24,000 miles Kingsland, GA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

A FEW WEEKS AGO MY VEHICLE BECOME VERY TOUGH TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK WHEN PARKED ON ANY INCLINE OR, UNEVEN SURFACE. ONCE THE GEAR SELECTOR WOULDN'T EVEN MOVE AND THREE PEOPLE HAD TO STAND BEHIND THE CAR AND PUSH IT FORWARD TO ALLOW ME TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. I'VE TAKEN IT TO CITY MITSUBISHI IN JACKSONVILLE FL. AND THEY HAVE INFORMED ME THAT THE BEST THING TO DO IS STOP, PUT IT IN NEUTRAL, SET THE E-BRAKE, THEN PUT IT IN PARK. I FEEL THIS IS UN-NECESSARY CONSIDERING IT ONLY HAS 25,000 MILES, I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER, IT'S UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY, AND IT WASN'T DOING THIS 1000 MILES AGO. I HAVE LEFT IT THERE AND WILL BE CONTACTING MITSUBISHI MOTORS ON MONDAY TO SEE WHAT MY NEXT COURSE OF ACTION IS.

NHTSA complaint #10137500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,000 miles Louisville, KY

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THE VEHICLE STICKS IN THIRD GEAR. THE CONSUMER HAS LOCATED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET.

NHTSA complaint #10118986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,000 miles Mount Prospect, IL

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THE TRANSMISSION IS SKIPPING. THE CAR WOULD DRIVE BY ITSELF WITHOUT ME ACCELERATING, THE RPMS WOULD BE AT 3-4 X1000 RPMS WHILE THE CAR IS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT OR SOMETHING ELSE WORSE.

NHTSA complaint #10118045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Santa Paula, CA

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE CLUTCH WILL NOT DISENGAGE.

NHTSA complaint #10117626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 59,840 miles Santa Paula, CA

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

LOSS OF CLUTCH OPERATION WHILE AT RED STOP LIGHT, CLUTCH PEDAL DEPRESSED, CAR IN FIRST GEAR, FOOT SLIGHTLY ON BRAKE. CLUTCH PEDAL STARTED FEELING SOFT, THEN WITHOUT CLUTCH PEDAL MOVEMENT, CLUTCH ENGAGED. LATER THAT DAY, I FIND "OIL" UNDER MY CAR. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND REPORTED PROBLEM, AND WAS ADVISED THAT SLAVE CYLINDER WAS LEAKING.

NHTSA complaint #10116138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Huntley, IL

POWER TRAIN

MITSUBISHI LANCER 2003, DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION AND BRAKES. *BF 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.

NHTSA complaint #10115217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 37,116 miles Lakewood, CO

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

CAR WAS DRIVING FINE. THEN STARTED ACTING FUNNY SHIFTING. KEPT GETTING WORSE SO TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THE CAR HAD 37000 MILES ON IT AND THE WARRENTY RAN OUT AT 35000. ENDED UP BEING THE SLAVE CYLINDER. THE DEALER WANTED $1200. TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SHOP BUT STILL COST $38.10.

NHTSA complaint #10114324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 79,520 miles Binghamton, NY

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

EVER SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR I'VE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH IT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON, AT FIRST THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM, ROCKLAND MITSUBISHI IN NY, SAID IT WAS JUST A SENSOR IN MY GAS TANK, BUT AFTER FIXING IT, IT KEPT COMING BACK ON. FINALLY THEY TOLD ME IT WAS MY FAULT, I HAD TO TURN MY CAR OFF COMPLETELY BEFORE PUMPING MY GAS, CLOSE MY TANK TIGHTLY, THEN START MY CAR BACK UP. THIS BACK AND FORTH CONTINUED UNTIL MY NORMAL WARRANTY RAN OUT. AT 70K MILES, MY TRANSMISSION STARTED SKIPPING, AND MY ENGINE BEGAN PUTTERING. FINALLY TOOK IT TO MITSUBISHI AGAIN, THEY SAID THEY TOOK CARE OF IT. AT 80K NOW, MY TRANSMISSION AS COMPLETELY DIED, I TOOK IT TO AAMCO AND THEY SAY I NEED A COMPLETELY NEW TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA complaint #10110481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 11,000 miles ST Charles, IL

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

UPON DRIVING MY 2003 LANCER, I'VE NOTICED THAT PERIODICALLY THE TRANSMISSION WILL SKIP AND THE CAR WILL DO A JERK. IT ALARMED ME BECAUSE AT THAT TIME THE CAR HAD ONLY ABOUT 11,000 MILES ON IT. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE I HAVEN'T EVEN HAD THE CAR A YEAR, AND I THOUGHT I WAS GETTING A QUALITY VEHICLE. AS I LOOKED ON THE COMPLAINT BOARD I REALIZED IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. IS MITSUBISHI AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM? AND IF SO, WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO ABOUT ALL OF THESE CARS? IF ANYONE IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES PLEASE CONTACT DANIELLE@847)619-5879.

NHTSA complaint #10110399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,224 miles Rabcho Palos Verdes, CA Crash 3 injured

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I PURCHASED A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER LS, FRM THE MMSA CO. USED PARKING LOT, WITH ONLY A 100 MILES. CAR SEEMED TO RUN FINE, AND THEN IT STARTED TO RANDOMLY REVV AND THEM STALL. IT WASNT THAT BAD AT FIRST, BUT 06/04 IT BECAME A PROBLEM. ID STALL ABOUT 8-12 X A DAY (AVG.), ID TAKEN IT TO THE MITSU DEALERS WHO ALL SAID: THEY FIXED IT, COULDNT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, OR THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. WHILE ON THE FREEWAY, I STARTED TO BRAKE AND THEN REALIZED THAT I HAD NO POWER TO MY CAR- IT HAD STALLED IN MOTION. ALL LIGHTS WERE ON ON DASHBOARD AND THE LENGHT BETWEEN ME AND THE OTHER CAR WAS INEVITABLE. EVEN WHEN I HAD TAKEN IT TO A DEALER ONLY 4 DAYS BEFORE WHO SAID THEY FIXED IT. I ENDED UP TOTALLY MY CAR AND RECIEVED MANY INJURIES, AND MITSUBISHI DIDNT EVEN HELP ME. AT THE TIME OF MY CRASH I HAD JUST HIT 10000 MILES- I SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS WITH A BRAND NEW (BASICALLY) CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10104530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,000 miles Chardon, OH

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHEN DRIVING MY VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY. NORMAL OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE LEADS TO SLIPPING TRANSITIONS FROM GEAR TO GEAR MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN/REACH/SUSTAIN SPEED. THIS OCCURS IN BOTH HIGHWAY AND CITY ENVIRONMENTS. I HAVE HAD THE CAR SERVICED ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS OF EVERY 3000 MILES. I HAVE ABOUT 40000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AT THIS POINT. IT STARTED DOING THIS AT ABOUT 6000 MILES. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED MULTIPLE TIMES. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY INFORMED ME NOTHING WAS WRONG. I HAVE CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AS WELL AS ALL FILTERS. I WAS TOLD THIS IS 'NORMAL' FOR THE CAR. I DO NOT THINK HOWEVER THAT THIS IS A TYPICAL BEHAVIOR FOR NEW VEHICLES.

NHTSA complaint #10098251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 6,500 miles Chicopee, MA

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 4 MONTHS AND HAVE ABOUT 6500 MILES ON THE ODOMOTER. THE CLUTCH HAS STARTED SLIPPING WHEN THE TURBO KICKS IN. THE PROBLEM IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. I HAVE NOTIFIED MY LOCAL DEALER WHO ACKNOLOGES THE CAR NEEDS A CLUTCH, BUT CLAIMS THIS IS A WEAR ITEM AND ISN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THEY ALSO IMPLIED DRIVER ABUSE. THIS CAR IS MY DAILY DRIVER, I DO NOT RACE IT OR DRIVE IT ABOVE ITS INTENDED USE. I HAVE EVEN OFFERED TO SUPPLY A QUALITY AFTERMARKET CLUTCH AND HAVE THE DEALER SIMPLY PROVIDE THE LABOR, THEY WERE NOT AGREEABLE TO THIS AT THIS POINT.

NHTSA complaint #10075227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,500 miles Jacksonville, FL

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHEN DRIVING MY VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY. NORMAL OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE LEADS TO JERKY TRANSITIONS FROM GEAR TO GEAR AND RESULTS IN THE INABILITY TO GAUGE THE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE NEED TO MAINTAIN/REACH/SUSTAIN SPEED. THIS OCCURS IN BOTH HIGHWAY AND CITY ENVIRONMENTS. I HAVE HAD THE CAR SERVICED ACCORDING TO MFG'R RECOMMENDATIONS OF EVERY 3000 MILES. I HAVE ABOUT 35000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AT THIS POINT. IT STARTED DOING THIS AT ABOUT 4000 MILES. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED MULTIPLE TIMES. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY INFORMED ME NOTHING WAS WRONG. I HAVE CHANGED THE TRANS. FLUID AS WELL AS ALL FILTERS. I WAS TOLD THIS IS 'NORMAL' FOR THE CAR. I DO NOT THINK HOWEVER THAT THIS IS A TYPICAL BEHAVIOR FOR NEW VEHICLES. I HAVE ALSO HAD A PROBLEM FOR THE PAST 1500 OR SO MILES WITH MY BREAKS SQUEAKING. WHEN I TRY TO STOP OR PULL OUT FROM A PARKING SPACE THEY HAVE A SQUEALING SOUND. I HAVE ALSO HAD THIS EVALUATED AT THE MITSUBISHI REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THEY ARE FINE.

NHTSA complaint #10075188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bonita Springs, FL

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHILE SHIFTING VEHICLE JERKED AND SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10073457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 9,500 miles Tacoma, WA

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #10070623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 2,500 miles FT Laduderdale, FL

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2003 EVOLUTION IS SOMETIMES VERY ROUGH GOING INTO SECOND GEAR. THE TRANNY FEELS AS IF THE GEARS ARE GRINDING FOR A SECOND BEFORE ENGAGING; I HAVE BROUGHT THIS UP TO THE ATTENTION OF MITUSBISHI CORPORATE AND SEVERAL SERVICE DEPTS AND THEY DO NOT APPEAR TO BE CONCEREND. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT A LOT OF EVOLUTION OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING.

NHTSA complaint #10063730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer problems

← Full 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer report