Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer
NHTSA data on file today
The 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 199 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #16V458000 Lower Control Arm Detachment Due to Corrosion NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09E025000 FMVSS 108/REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS/AMBER REFLECTOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E064000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E038000 FMVSS 108/HEADLAMP/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E023000 FMVSS 108/HEADLAMP/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V428000 MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN/FMVSS 208/AIR BAG LABEL NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Visibility 71 complaints
- Power Train 51 complaints
- Unknown or Other 16 complaints
- Equipment 13 complaints
- Structure 13 complaints
- Electrical System 12 complaints
Of the 199 complaints on file, 13 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 199 complaints, owners report 13 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,000–$8,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer has 199 owner complaints and six NHTSA recalls, indicating potential issues with visibility and power train components. While the numerous complaints suggest multiple areas of concern, the recall history highlights issues with suspension and exterior lighting. Overall, the vehicle's reliability appears below average due to these factors, albeit the data is limited.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| visibility system | 60,000–100,000 miles | $250–$500 | very common |
| power train | 80,000–120,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | common |
| suspension | 100,000–150,000 miles | $300–$700 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake inspections
- Tire rotation and balancing
- Transmission fluid change
- Coolant flush
- Replace air filters
- Inspect and replace belts
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unusual noises from suspension
- Transmission slipping
- Headlight or taillight failure
- Rough idle or stalling
- Unresponsive steering
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.