Mitsubishi · Lancer · 2004
7
Recalls
80
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer has 7 recalls and 80 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: air bags (17 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles that previously received a like-for-like passenger side frontal air bag inflator under recall 15V321 as interim remedy. Also recalled are 2004-2006 Lancer vehicles located in Guam or Saipan that previously received or never received a new inflator under 15V321 or 17V569. These passenger side frontal air bag inflators may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to explode in the event of an air bag deployment.
Remedy Status
MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will install a final replacement passenger side frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on April 26, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-005.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy Status
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy Status
MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy Status
TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2002-2007 Lancer, 2004 Lancer Wagon, 2003-2006 Lancer Evolution, 2003-2006 Outlander and 2007-2013 Outlander V-6 vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
Remedy Status
MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied or the front cross member will be replaced with a new one that has a sealing/anti-corrosion agent applied to it. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-003.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Lancer and Lancer Evolution vehicles and 2004 Lancer Sportback vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Remedy Status
Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with a different inflator, free of charge. The recall began on October 12, 2017. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-17-001. Note: This recall supersedes recall 15V-321.
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy Status
ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
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
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer has 7 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 80 owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer are air bags (17 reports), visibility (16 reports), engine and engine cooling (5 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 7 recalls on record for the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.