FaultScore

2003 Mitsubishi Lancer window and wiper problems

77 of the 242 complaints about the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 32% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 73,500 miles.

D

77

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System 28 36.4%
Visibility 28 36.4%
Electrical Heating Element 12 15.6%
Visibility/Wiper 6 7.8%
Heater Core 2 2.6%
Windshield 1 1.3%

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers across every Mitsubishi Lancer year

2002 27 21.3%
2003 77 60.6%
2004 23 18.1%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 83,000 miles Lakeville, MN

VISIBILITY/WIPER

THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB BROKE OFF. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. THE ARM INSIDE CAN BE TURNED WITH A NEEDLE NOSE PLIERS, BUT ONLY TOWARDS THE COLD/AC SIDE. IT STOPS WHEN TURNED TOWARDS THE HEAT SIDE AND WILL NOT GO- FEELS AS THOUGH IT COULD BREAK IF IT WAS FORCED. THIS IS EXTREMELY CONCERNING AS IT IS ABOUT TO BE WINTER IN MINNESOTA AND WITH NO HEAT, THERE IS NO DEFROSTER FOR WINDSHIELD OR REAR WINDOW. I AM VERY WORRIED. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION ONLINE WITH OTHER OWNERS OF THE 2003 LANCER, I FOUND OUT THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND I AM LEAD TO BELIEVE IT IS A PROBLEM WITH MITSUBISHI'S DESIGN THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. IF I DO NOT HAVE A DEFROSTER I AM IN DANGER AND I AM VERY WORRIED. IT IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE IN THIS STATE TO NOT HAVE HEAT. TEMPERATURES DROP BELOW -10F DEGREES EVERY YEAR AND OFTEN AS LOW AS -30F. I AM CALLING ON THE GOOD PEOPLE OF THE NHTSA FOR HELP. WINTER IS COMING AND I NEED MY DEFROSTER. PLEASE HELP ME.

NHTSA complaint #11138804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 20 miles Deltona, FL

VISIBILITY/WIPER

THE TEMPERATURE KNOB BROKE EASILY BECAUSE IT WAS HARD TO TURN MAKING THE DEFROSTER IMPOSSIBLE TO USE WHICH IS A SAFETY HAZARD. FURTHERMORE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ALWAYS FAULTY TO BEGIN WITH BUT NOW IT ISN'T EVEN USABLE. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ALSO LOVES TO LURCH INTO 3RD GEAR WHILE SLOWING DOWN AT THE SAME TIME AND THEN JUMPING BACK INTO THE SPEED I WAS PREVIOUSLY GOING. THIS ISSUE USUALLY HAPPENS AT SPEEDS LOWER THAN 50 MPH.

NHTSA complaint #10822669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Amesbury, MA

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

THE CLIMATE CONTROL KNOB WAS HARD TO TURN AND FINAL BROKE SO I CAN'T USE MY CAR IN THE WINTER BECAUSE I CAN'T TURN IT TO HEAT AND I HAVE 2 YOUNG CHILDREN. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL THIS HAS APPENDED TO THOUSANDS AND ITS A SAFETY HAZARD IN MULTIPLY WAYS.

NHTSA complaint #10534780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,000 miles NEW York, NY

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB WAS VERY HARD TO TURN ON THE AC/HEATER MODULE AND EVENTUALLY BROKE OFF. A FAILURE OF THE TEMPERATURE SELECTION COULD RESULT IN INABILITY TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD PROPERLY, RESULTING IN UNSAFE DRIVING ENVIRONMENT.

NHTSA complaint #10511594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Modesto, CA

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

THE HOT/COLD SWITCH BROKE OFF. SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO TURN THE SWITCH FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL. BOTH KNOBS ARE DAMAGED AND NOW IM NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF THE AIR NEITHER THE TEMPERATURE. THIS HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURE DEFECT SINCE. DURING MY RESEARCH ONLINE I'VE FOUND MANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS LIKE THIS ONE. MITSUBISHI SHOULD MAKE A RECALL AND FIX IT .

NHTSA complaint #10500998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jefferson City, MO

VISIBILITY/WIPER

THE HEAT/AC KNOB ON MY 2003 MITSUBISHI HAS BEEN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THIS IS ESPECIALLY HAZARDOUS WHEN TRYING TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. IT NOW DOES NOT TURN ANY MORE AND I DO NOT WANT TO FORCE IT BECAUSE I AM AFRAID IT WILL BREAK. BECAUSE OF THIS I HAVE NO HEAT IN MY CAR AND MY WINDOWS FOG UP MAKING IT VERY HARD TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDOWS. I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL MITSUBISHI DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THIS IS NOT A RECALL AND WOULD COST ABOUT $1400 - $1500 TO FIX. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME CAR. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD BE MADE A RECALL AND REPAIRED FOR FREE.

NHTSA complaint #10487995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Sacramento, CA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

HEAT/AC KNOB HAS ALWAYS BEEN DIFFICULT TO TURN. IT IS NOW STUCK ON A/C. I AM LOCATED IN AN AREA THAT ACQUIRES FREEZING TEMPERATURES, AND EVIDENTLY, WILL NEED TO BE ABLE TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. UPON RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I HAVE COME ACROSS THOUSANDS OF MITSUBISHI OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. SINCE MOST OF THE U. S. EXPERIENCES FREEZING TEMPERATURES THIS SHOULD, WITHOUT A DOUBT, BE A RECALL BECAUSE IT IS AFFECTING SO MANY DRIVER'S VISIBILITIES. THE OTHER SAFETY ASPECT TO BE CONSIDERED PERTAINS YOUNG CHILDREN, THE ELDERLY, AND THE ILL. CAR WINDOWS OPEN OR NOT, HOW IS IT SAFE TO HAVE THE YOUNG, ELDERLY, OR ILL IN A CAR OVER 100 DEGREES OR UNDER 32 DEGREES? THIS IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE, IRRESPONSIBLE, AND UNSAFE. PLEASE ADVISE A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10486762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Marengo, IL

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

THE HEAT/AC KNOB ON MY 2003 MITSUBISHI HAS BEEN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THIS IS ESPECIALLY HAZARDOUS WHEN TRYING TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD, UNTIL IT FINALLY BROKE COMPLETELY OFF. NOW I HAVE NO HEAT IN MY VEHICLE AND IT VISUALLY IMPAIRS MY DRIVING WHEN IT IS COLD AND FROSTS UP. I TRIED TO SEARCH FOR PARTS( COMPLETE SWITCH OR SWITCH KNOB SHAFT) THEY'RE NOT AVAILABLE BUT WHOLE UNIT ABOUT $300 + LABOR. ARE THEY(MITSUBISHI) GOING TO ISSUE A RECALL? THE MORE I RESEARCH, THE MORE I FIND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR HUNDREDS OF OTHER MITSUBISHI LANCER OWNERS WITH THIS SAME SITUATION ON THEIR HANDS. THE MORE I RESEARCH, THE MORE I FIND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR OTHERS.

NHTSA complaint #10486658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 77,000 miles Hagerstown, MD

VISIBILITY/WIPER

I HAVE HAD MY 2003 LANCER FOR ABOUT 4 YEARS AND THE AC/HEATER KNOB HAS ALWAYS BEEN DIFFICULT TO TURN. RECENTLY THE KNOB "BROKE" AND IT IS NOW STUCK ON AC AND I NOW HAVE NO HEAT THEREFORE IT MEANS I HAVE NO DEFROSTERS. THIS IS A VISIBILITY ISSUE AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. ACCORDING TO ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND TAKEN CARE OF.

NHTSA complaint #10475576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Langhorne, PA

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

PURCHASED VEHICLE BRAND NEW JULY 2003. HEAT/AC KNOB HAS ALWAYS BEEN DIFFICULT TO TURN. IT IS NOW STUCK ON A/C. I AM LOCATED IN AN AREA THAT ACQUIRES FREEZING TEMPERATURES, AND EVIDENTLY, WILL NEED TO BE ABLE TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. UPON RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I HAVE COME ACROSS THOUSANDS OF MITSUBISHI OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. SINCE MOST OF THE U.S. EXPERIENCES FREEZING TEMPERATURES THIS SHOULD, WITHOUT A DOUBT, BE A RECALL BECAUSE IT IS AFFECTING SO MANY DRIVER'S VISIBILITIES. THE OTHER SAFETY ASPECT TO BE CONSIDERED PERTAINS TO: YOUNG CHILDREN, THE ELDERLY, AND THE ILL. CAR WINDOWS OPEN OR NOT, HOW IS IT SAFE TO HAVE THE YOUNG, ELDERLY, OR ILL IN A CAR OVER 100 DEGREES OR UNDER 32 DEGREES? THIS IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE, IRRESPONSIBLE, AND UNSAFE. PLEASE ADVISE A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10473017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Langhorne, PA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

PURCHASED VEHICLE BRAND NEW JULY 2003. HEAT/AC KNOB HAS ALWAYS BEEN DIFFICULT TO TURN. IT IS NOW STUCK ON A/C. I AM LOCATED IN AN AREA THAT ACQUIRES FREEZING TEMPERATURES, AND EVIDENTLY, WILL NEED TO BE ABLE TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. UPON RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I HAVE COME ACROSS THOUSANDS OF MITSUBISHI OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. SINCE MOST OF THE U.S. EXPERIENCES FREEZING TEMPERATURES THIS SHOULD, WITHOUT A DOUBT, BE A RECALL BECAUSE IT IS AFFECTING SO MANY DRIVER'S VISIBILITIES. THE OTHER SAFETY ASPECT TO BE CONSIDERED PERTAINS TO: YOUNG CHILDREN, THE ELDERLY, AND THE ILL. CAR WINDOWS OPEN OR NOT, HOW IS IT SAFE TO HAVE THE YOUNG, ELDERLY, OR ILL IN A CAR OVER 100 DEGREES OR UNDER 32 DEGREES? THIS IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE, IRRESPONSIBLE, AND UNSAFE. PLEASE ADVISE A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10473017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Chandler, AZ

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT

HEATER CONTROL KNOB CANNOT BE ADJUSTED, IT IS STUCK ON COLD. CENTER SHAFT IS BROKEN FOR THE KNOB.

NHTSA complaint #10449507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Washington, DC

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

THE DEFROST/AIR CONDITIONER/HEAT CONTROL SWITCH HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY FROM DAY ONE. IT IS A FIGHT FOR HOURS TO GET THE CONTROL TO TURN. WAS TOLD IN 2003 THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD WORK ITSELF OUT WITH USE IN DUE TIME, IT NEVER DID. NOW THE SWITCH IS STUCK BETWEEN THE HEAT AND THE AIR CONDITIONING MARK AND I CANNOT GET IT TO TURN TO EITHER. I CALLED THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST AROUND $1,400.00 TO FIX THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT. A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED IN 2005 CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM, BUT, THE DEALER WAS NOT OBLIGATED , ACCORDING TO THEM, TO CHECK EACH CAR IT COVERED FOR THE PROBLEM. I FEEL NHTSA SHOULD HAVE ISSUED A RECALL CONCERNING THIS DEFECT, BECAUSE IF ONE CANNOT USE THEIR DEFROSTER WHILE DRIVING WHEN NEEDED, THEN IT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM IF THEY CANNOT SEE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD!

NHTSA complaint #10449247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Jose, CA

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

HEATING CONTROL DOES NOT TURN. PART NUMBER MN185137HC IS BROKEN. I WAS TOLD BY MISTUBISHI DEALER IN SAN JOSE, CA THAT THE PART IS DEFECTIVE AND COMMONLY BREAKS IN LANCERS. HE SAID IT SHOULD BE RECALLED BUT MITSUBISHI HAS NOT DONE SO. ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR WAS $300 FOR A NEW CONTROLLER ASSEMBLY PART, $80 TO FIX AIR VENTS SO THAT DUST DOES NOT SPEW, AND ANOTHER $600 IN LABOR COSTS FOR A TOTAL OF $980.

NHTSA complaint #10448452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Turlock, CA

VISIBILITY

A/C HEATER NOB BROKE OFF AFTER SWITCHING IT FROM COLD TO HEAT.

NHTSA complaint #10436402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Catonsville, MD

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

TEMPERATURE KNOB WAS ALWAYS DIFFICULT TO TURN, THEN IT BROKE COMPLETELY OFF. NOT A PROBLEM FOR THE SUMMER (IT'S STUCK ON COLD) BUT NEEDS TO BE FIXED FOR THE WINTER SO THAT THE CAR CAN DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. TECHNICIAN SAID IT WOULD BE BETWEEN $1500-2000 TO REPAIR BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE DASHBOARD AND REPLACE THE ENTIRE KNOB PANEL PLUS FIX THE REAL PROBLEM WHICH IS THE "AIR MIX DOOR LEVER". APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR MISTUBISHI OWNERS AND THE COMPANY HAS NOT DONE A RECALL TO FIX IT; THEREFORE OWNERS ARE DROPPING $1000S OF DOLLARS TO GET THEIR CAR OPERATIONAL FOR SEASONAL TEMP CHANGES. ISN'T IT A SAFETY HAZARD IF YOUR DEFROSTER DOES NOT WORK???

NHTSA complaint #10418080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100 miles Tracy, CA

VISIBILITY

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 103,700 miles SAN Diego, CA

VISIBILITY

AS WITH SO MANY OTHER LANCERS NOTED HERE, MY WIFE'S 2003 LANCER'S TEMP CONTROL KNOB HAS BROKEN. OVER A PERIOD OF A FEW YEARS THE KNOB CONTINUALLY GOT HARDER TO TURN AND RECENTLY JUST BROKE OFF. I ALSO GAVE HER A PAIR OF NEEDLE-NOSE PLIERS TO TURN THE PLASTIC NUB THAT IS LEFT, ALTHOUGH I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THIS WILL WORK AS EACH TIME SHE DOES IT WEARS DOWN THE PLASTIC SOME. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A WIDE-SPREAD PROBLEM AND NOT JUST A NUISANCE, AS MY WIFE NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO DEFROST HER WINDOWS AS NEEDED FOR VISIBILITY. SHAME ON MITSUBISHI FOR NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE ISSUE, LET ALONE FOR NOT FIXING IT.

NHTSA complaint #10400804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Belleville, WI

VISIBILITY

THE HEATING/COOLING KNOB HAS BEEN HARD TO TURN SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. IT WOULD HAVE TO BE FORCED TO SWITCH FROM WARM TO COOL. EVENTUALLY THE KNOB BROKE OFF. MITSUBISHI WAS CONTACTED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED BUT SINCE IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT. THE CABLE WAS REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT SOLVED, IT WAS STILL JUST AS HARD TO TURN. APPROX 1 1/2 YEARS LATER THE KNOB BROKE OFF AGAIN RESULTING IN NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL TEMPERATURE AND ENGAGE THE DEFROSTER.

NHTSA complaint #10395695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 102,496 miles Sierra Vista, AZ

VISIBILITY

2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER: THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB BROKE OFF ITS SHAFT, AFTER OVER TWO YEARS OF THE CONTROL BEING SO DIFFICULT TO TURN THAT IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCOMLISH. THE WIRE RUNNING FROM THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL (KNOB) TO THE VENT FLAP THAT CONTROLS HEAT/COLD BENT AS WELL, LEAVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT A WAY TO CHANGE THE TEMPERATURE (STUCK IN COLD POSITION NOW). THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AS I AM UNABLE TO DEFROST/CLEAR MY WINDSHIELD WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE, WHICH RESULTS IN CONTINUOUS POOR DRIVING VISIBILITY.

NHTSA complaint #10386720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200,000 miles Brampton, 00

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

NO HEAT/DEFROST IN MITSUBISHI LANCER (2003) USUALLY, ITS KIND OF HARD TO TURN, BUT IF YOU TWIST THE KNOB FAST ENOUGH, YOU'LL HEAR THIS SLIDING SOUND BEHIND THE CENTER CONSOLE SIGNIFYING THE CHANGE FROM COLD TO HEAT. THE KNOB IS NO LONGER DOING THAT, NO MATTER HOW I TURN IT. I WILL TURN IT THE FULL 180 DEGREES, AND IT WON'T "POP" INTO PLACE" AND IT'LL END UP TURNING BACK TO ABOUT 160 DEGREES (THE DIAL LOCATION).

NHTSA complaint #10378234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles THE Village, OK

VISIBILITY

MY DAUGHTER'S 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER ES NO LONGER PROVIDES HEAT. AS IN MANY OTHER CASES, THE KNOB HAS BROKEN OFF!! WHY IS THIS NOT THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL? SHE HAS NO HEAT, IT'S WINTER, AND SHE HAS NO MEANS TO DEFROST HER WINDSHIELD. FOR A WHILE SHE WAS ABLE TO TURN THE MECHANISM USING NEEDLE-NOSED PLIERS. NOW, EVEN THAT DOESN'T WORK AND SHE HAS NO HEAT, NO MEANS TO DEFROST HER WINDSHIELD AND WINDOWS RELIABLY, AND THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA complaint #10375538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lakewood, CA

VISIBILITY

TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. EVENTUALLY, THE CONTROL KNOB BROKE AWAY FROM THE PLASTIC CONNECTOR BENEATH, AND NOW THE TEMPERATURE CANNOT BE CHANGED. A SHORT INTERNET SEARCH HAS SHOWN THIS TO BE SUBJECT OF A TECHNICAL BULLETIN ISSUED IN 2004.

NHTSA complaint #10373798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 108,000 miles Reseda, CA

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

THE HEAT/AC KNOB ON MY 2003 MITSUBISHI HAS BEEN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THIS IS ESPECIALLY HAZARDOUS WHEN TRYING TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. I'VE REPORTED THE ISSUE SEVERAL TIMES TO MITSUBISHI AND THEY HAVE STATED THAT THEY'VE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE MORE I RESEARCH, THE MORE I FIND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR OTHERS. THIS KNOB HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO USE FROM DAY ONE.

NHTSA complaint #10370705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 99,000 miles ST Paul, MN

VISIBILITY

MITSUBISHI 2003 HEATING KNOB IS NOT WORKING..

NHTSA complaint #10370316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Leavittsburg, OH

VISIBILITY

AIR CONDITIONING/HEATING KNOB WAS HARD TO TURN, UNTIL IT FINALLY BROKE COMPLETELY OFF. NOW I HAVE NO HEAT IN MY VEHICLE AND IT VISUALLY IMPAIRS MY DRIVING WHEN IT IS COLD AND FROSTS UP. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING I CAN DO, EXCEPT TRY TO DRIVE THROUGH IT.

NHTSA complaint #10369244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 72,000 miles Cedarburg, WI

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

THE HEATER CONTROL KNOB IS BROKEN. I CAN'T ROTATE THE KNOB FROM COLD TO HEAT. IT BEGAN GETTING REALLY DIFFICULT TO TURN ABOUT A YEAR AGO, UNTIL I COULD NO LONGER ROTATE IT ABOUT A MONTH AGO. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS ARE YOU CAN'T SWITCH THE AIR FROM COOL TO WARM IN CASE YOU'RE DRIVING SOMEWHERE AT NIGHT AND NEED TO TURN ON THE HEATER FOR A LITTLE WHILE. YOUR WINDOWS FOG UP. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, OTHER THAN MY MECHANIC MESSED WITH THE CABLE INSIDE AND NOW MY KNOB IS PERMANENTLY STUCK ON HEAT, WHENEVER I TURN THE FAN ON. A NEW PART FROM MITSUBISHI IS OVER $500. ARE THEY GOING TO ISSUE A RECALL? I KNOW THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OTHER MITSUBISHI LANCER OWNERS WITH THIS SAME SITUATION ON THEIR HANDS.

NHTSA complaint #10369162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 105,000 miles Washington, DC

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TEMPERATURE KNOB WAS FRACTURED WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL THE DEFROST, HEAT, AND AIR CONDITIONING TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT OF THE REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10368562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Leavenworth, KS

VISIBILITY

MY 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER HEATER KNOB BROKE OFF AND I AM UNABLE TO GET THE DEFROSTER TO WORK. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM AS THIS IS A MATERIAL DEFECT IN HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF LANCER AUTOMOBILES. PLEASE HELP FORCE MITSUBISHI TO RECALL AND FIX THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10368147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles NEW Brunswick, NJ

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAT CONTROL KNOB WOULD TURN BUT WOULD NOT ENGAGE THE HEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AIR WOULD BLOW THROUGH THE VENTS BUT WOULD NOT GET WARM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE FAILURE OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROSTER WAS ALSO WORKING BUT HEAT WOULD NOT EXPEL FROM THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

NHTSA complaint #10364390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer problems

← Full 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer report