2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Problems
- Complaints
- 8filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 104,000miles, 7 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 22 mpgcombined, 2.4L 4-cyl FWD · 20 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback. The part named most often is electrical system, with 5 complaints (63% of the total), followed by visibility (3) and other or unknown (2). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 14% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 104,000 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 28 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Visibility complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system5 63%
- Other or unknown2 25%
- Air bags1 13%
- Engine cooling1 13%
- Exterior lighting1 13%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “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”
NHTSA complaint #10920253, filed 2016-10, 184,790 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10371754, filed 2010-12, 104,000 milesAir bags: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #11048286, filed 2017-11, 157,833 milesMileage when problems were reported
14% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 100,000 and 110,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancer Sportback FWD | 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 20 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 28 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10240443Jul 21, 2023Equipment. This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 3rd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.
- 10238899Jun 23, 2023Air bags. This is a revised Safety Recall bulletin sent to dealers informing them of new Takata inflator return procedures.
- 10238897Jun 23, 2023Air bags. This is a revised Safety Recall bulletin sent to dealers informing them of new Takata inflator return procedures.
- 10235609Apr 24, 2023Body and structure. This Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of rap-film adhesive residue.
- 10235608Apr 24, 2023Equipment. This Technical Service Bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the reduction in load carrying capacity be affixed to vehicles when the total net weight of accessories is more…
- 10235606Apr 21, 2023Equipment. This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 2nd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.
- 10226083Oct 17, 2022Air bags. This is a Technical Information Notice informing dealers that with permission from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles notification letters are being sent to vehicle owners with New York…
- 10217126Jul 21, 2022Air bags. This is a Technical Information Notice sent to all dealers informing them that affected owners in Virginia were sent a reminder to have a Takata recall completed on their vehicle. The letters were…
- 10211530Apr 7, 2022Other or unknown, Exterior lighting. This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by improper sealing or a…
- 10210124Mar 18, 2022Air bags, Other or unknown. This Technical Information Notice was sent to dealers to inform them MMNA mailed letters to owners with Alabama addresses printed on an Alabama Law Enforcement Agency letterhead and mailed in an…
Other model years of the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 8 | 104,000 | 0 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
All Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback have?
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 5 complaints (63% of the total), followed by visibility with 3.
Has the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback get?
The EPA rates the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback (Lancer Sportback, 2.4L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 20 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback reported?
Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 104,000 miles and the middle half falls between 100,000 and 110,000 miles; 14% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.