NHTSA vehicle safety data

2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Recalls & Complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback right now, so this page doesn't state a recall count — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for current campaigns. 8 owner complaints are on file.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback.

2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback owner complaints

Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback, describing incidents dated July 20, 2005 to November 24, 2017.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 5 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 3 complaints
Unknown or Other 2 complaints
Air Bags 1 complaint
Engine 1 complaint
Exterior Lighting 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11048286 · Filed November 24, 2017
TAKATA RECALL - I TOOK MY CAR IN TO HICKORY MITSUBISHI IN HICKORY, NC TO GET THE AIRBAG FIXED. I PICKED UP MY CAR IN THE AFTERNOON. IT STARTED TO GET DARK ABOUT AN HOUR LATER, SO I TURNED MY LIGHTS ON. I HAVE NO INTERIOR LIGHTS ON MY CAR. I CAN'T SEE MY ODOMETER, SHIFT COLUMN,ETC. I HAD TO TRAVEL A…
ODI #10955571 · Filed February 20, 2017
AFTER CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB ON THE DASHBOARD WAS STUCK AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN FROM COLD TO WARM. WHEN TURNING THE KNOB, THE KNOB BROKE EXPOSING ELECTRICAL PANELING. THE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS NO LONGER ADJUSTABLE AND WAS WOULD ONLY BLOW COLD AIR WITH THE…
ODI #10920253 · Filed October 31, 2016
ETACS FAILURE. LOSS OF ABILITY TO SIGNAL TURNS, LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION BELOW HIGHEST SETTING, LOSS OF REAR WIPER, LOSS OF DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT, LOSS OF HIGH BEAMS, LOSS OF WIPER FLUID CONTROL. LOSS OF FUNCTION CAME ON SUDDENLY, MIS SPRING 2016 RETURNED INTERMITTENTLY OVER SUMMER, THEN FAILED…

Read all 8 complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback right now — this is not a confirmed "no recalls". Check the VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls for the official status.

2004 Mitsubushi Lancer Sportback 4-DR.Wagon

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

8 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback.

Exterior Lighting; Air Bags

ODI #11048286

Incident: November 24, 2017 · Filed: November 24, 2017

TAKATA RECALL - I TOOK MY CAR IN TO HICKORY MITSUBISHI IN HICKORY, NC TO GET THE AIRBAG FIXED. I PICKED UP MY CAR IN THE AFTERNOON. IT STARTED TO GET DARK ABOUT AN HOUR LATER, SO I TURNED MY LIGHTS ON. I HAVE NO INTERIOR LIGHTS ON MY CAR. I CAN'T SEE MY ODOMETER, SHIFT COLUMN,ETC. I HAD TO TRAVEL A SIGNIFICANT DISTANCE TO GET THIS REPAIR SINCE THERE IS NO LONGER A MITSUBISHI DEALER WHERE I LIVE. NOW I HAVE TO GO ALL THE WAY BACK THERE AND SIT FOR ANOTHER 2.5 HOURS WHILE THEY TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY DID TO MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I'M NOT SURE I WANT THEM TO EVEN TOUCH MY CAR AGAIN.

Electrical System; Unknown or Other

ODI #10955571

Incident: February 20, 2017 · Filed: February 20, 2017

AFTER CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB ON THE DASHBOARD WAS STUCK AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN FROM COLD TO WARM. WHEN TURNING THE KNOB, THE KNOB BROKE EXPOSING ELECTRICAL PANELING. THE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS NO LONGER ADJUSTABLE AND WAS WOULD ONLY BLOW COLD AIR WITH THE OUTSIDE BEING BELOW-FREEZING TEMPERATURES. THIS HAPPENED WHILE CAR WAS STATIONARY IN DRIVEWAY, BUT IF HAPPENED WHILE MOVING COULD HAVE CREATED AN UNSAFE DISTRACTION LEADING TO A DANGEROUS INCIDENT.

Electrical System; Unknown or Other; Visibility/Wiper

ODI #10920253

Incident: May 4, 2016 · Filed: October 31, 2016

ETACS FAILURE. LOSS OF ABILITY TO SIGNAL TURNS, LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION BELOW HIGHEST SETTING, LOSS OF REAR WIPER, LOSS OF DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT, LOSS OF HIGH BEAMS, LOSS OF WIPER FLUID CONTROL. LOSS OF FUNCTION CAME ON SUDDENLY, MIS SPRING 2016 RETURNED INTERMITTENTLY OVER SUMMER, THEN FAILED COMPLETELY BEGINNING OF OCTOBER. A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE HAS BEEN RELEASED FOR MY VEHICLE TYPE OF A LATER YEAR., BUT MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT RECALL

Electrical System

ODI #10669401

Incident: December 20, 2006 · Filed: December 31, 2014

I HAVE A 2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER SPORTBACK. THE FAN CONTROL UNIT IS DEFECTIVE AND WAS FIXED ONCE AT THE DEALERSHIP OF PURCHASE HOWEVER, SINCE THAT TIME FAN HAS REPEATEDLY MALFUNCTIONED IN TERMS OF IT RUNNING DURING THE ENTIRE TIME THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION IN ADDITION TO IT STAYING ON EVEN AFTER THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY IS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. *JS

Electrical System; Visibility

ODI #10443533

Incident: July 20, 2005 · Filed: January 12, 2012

MY HEAT AND COOLING CONTROL STICKS AND IT HARD TO TURN THE KNOB FROM COLD TO HEAT AND HEAT TO COLD. THE PIECE FINALLY BROKE 3 ON 11/12/11. THE UNIT NOW HAS TO BE CHANGED UNDER THE DASHBOARD WHICH I AM UNABLE TO DO WHILE DRIVING, WHEN MY WINDOWS ARE FOGGY I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH THEM BEEN FOGGY IF IT IS NOT IN THE RIGHT POSITION. IT APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MITIS. SINCE I SEE MANY ISSUES WITH THIS ONLINE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10404315

Incident: June 1, 2009 · Filed: June 3, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER SPORTBACK. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION BY APPLYING THE BRAKES ABRUPTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP THAT ADVISED THAT THE FLY-BY-WIRE WOULD NEED REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Electrical System; Visibility

ODI #10371754

Incident: December 4, 2010 · Filed: December 20, 2010

I OWN A 2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER SPORTBACK. THE HEATER AND COOLING CONTROL KNOB FOR INTERIOR HEATING AND COOLING WILL NOT CHANGE OVER FROM AIR CONDITIONING TO HEAT. IN THE AREA THAT I LIVE IT IS VERY COLD IN THE WINTER MONTHS ( 20 - 30 DEGREES). ACCORDING TO RESEARCH I HAVE DONE ON THIS ISSUE IT IS S KNOWN ISSUE AT MITSUBISHI. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO THE HEATING SYSTEM NOT WORKING TO DEFROST MY WINDSHIELD WHEN NEEDED AND NO HEAT. IF MITSUBISHI KNOWS THIS IS AN ISSUE THEN WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE LOCATED MANY COMPLAINTS WITH THIS AND IT IS ON NEWER MODELS AS WELL. SO NEW PRODUCTS ARE COMING OUT WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THIS NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED BEFORE MORE VEHICLES ARE PRODUCED AND THE USED ONE NEED TO BE FIXED SO THAT OWNERS DO NOT RUN INTO A HAZARDOUS CONDITION THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10260891

Incident: January 1, 2006 · Filed: March 6, 2009

I HAVE A 2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER SPORTBACK. THE FAN CONTROL UNIT IS DEFECTIVE AND RECALLED ON OTHER VARIOUS MITSUBISHI MODELS INCLUDING OUTLANDER AND LANCER. HOWEVER, SINCE MY MODEL, THE LANCER SPORTBACK WAS NOT LISTED UNDER THE RECALL, MITSUBISHI REFUSES TO REPAIR/REPLACE IT. *TR

Other Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback model years

Check your 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Mitsubishi VIN