2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 7%of 199 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 19,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the body and structure of the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer, 7% of the 199 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 19,500 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2003 Lancer oz rally, steering column fell down in my lap. Factory said to bad, out of warranty and no recall issued. My local dealer wants 700+ dollars to fix it, this is outrageous the car only has 64,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10378526, filed 2011-01, 64,000 miles“The paint job on my 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer es is very poor. A very light contact makes a scratch on the paint. I have this car for about an year now but after the dealer washed my car for the first time, I can see the scratches on the hood. The dealer is not accepting the responsibility for this. I would say the car of this price should have much better paint and shouldn't scratch that easily.”
NHTSA complaint #10043308, filed 2003-10, 4,000 miles“I have a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer es. The temperature knob, which was impossible to turn from the very beginning has now broken off. I researched online and have come across hundreds of the same complaint and this is with minimal research on my part. Initially switching the temperature knob from hot to cold was difficult at best. I often had to request a grown man to help me just so I could defrost my windshield. I did bring the issue up to the dealership near my home, which has since closed, and they informed me the knob would not break. …”
NHTSA complaint #10292892, filed 2009-11, 10 miles“The heater knob on my Mitsubishi Lancer was hard to turn from hot to cold from the very first time I got the car with 65000 miles. One day the knob broke. I went to the official dealer and they told me they had to replace the entire heating dashboard piece and I paid over 400.00. The knob even after this was not easy to turn and after a year and a half broke again. Now I find that many other people had the same problem. The dealer never mentioned this or offered any alternate solution when I mentioned the knob was still hard. I can't defrost my windshield since I cannot change the temperature. …”
NHTSA complaint #10429381, filed 2011-10, 65,000 miles“The lower control arm became detached resulting in the inability to deive the car! I contacted the dealerships and they have basically been incorporated to helping fix the recall!!!! I do notbdrive the car because I loose control of it”
NHTSA complaint #10969322, filed 2017-03Related service bulletins
- 10235609Apr 24, 2023This Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of rap-film adhesive residue.
- 10170852Jan 29, 2013This Technical Service Bulletin updates the door adjustment procedure in the Body Section of the applicable service manuals.
- 10170097Jan 15, 2013This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 17% |
| 2016 | 2 | 7% |
| 2015 | 2 | 9% |
| 2014 | 3 | 19% |
| 2012 | 1 | 5% |
| 2011 | 4 | 12% |
| 2010 | 1 | 2% |
| 2009 | 6 | 6% |
| 2008 | 10 | 11% |
| 2006 | 5 | 14% |
| 2005 | 2 | 8% |
| 2004 | 3 | 4% |
| 2003 | 13 | 7% |
| 2002 | 7 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer
76 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
51 complaintsOther or unknown
17 complaintsEquipment
13 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology