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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
9%of 80 total for the year
Median mileage
55,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer, 9% of the 80 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

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.

“Just left a auto car wash and within about two minutes smoke rises from the center floor console. I pulled into a nearby gas station about a block away. Parked away from the pumps. Demanded a fire extinguisher from the attendant. Returned to the car as flames just started to erupt from the console . The dry chemical extinguisher made quick work of the fire. I don't think between the smell & sight of smoke and putting out the fire five minutes elapsed. I think the wiring must have shorted. The cigarette lighter never worked. …”

NHTSA complaint #10464548, filed 2012-07, 113,650 miles

“The headlight wires get shorter?... And the lights burn out all the time due to faulty wiring... Why won't Mitsubishi fix this for people???????? They're very wrong to not help people with this safety issue................ The transmission syncro gears are also worthless. The only real good thing on the entire car is the engine and transmission!! Visors disintegrated also after a few years...”

NHTSA complaint #10400940, filed 2011-05, 50,000 miles

“Hydraulic clutch system degradation and failure. Manual shifting became more and more difficult to the point of discovering a leaking slave cylinder. Upon replacement, symptoms remained. Comments from owners of similar vehicles note that both slave cylinder and master cylinder failures are often concurrent. Master cylinder is looking particularly grimy compared to the rest of engine bay. Replacement master cylinder is on order, can report on follow up conditions soon. …”

NHTSA complaint #10416915, filed 2011-08, 75,000 miles

“A recall was issued in 2005 for a potential issue in the power train. The recall stated that if the vehicle had a check engine light, the repair was to first try reprogramming the power train. If the check engine light appeared afterwards, the catalytic converter was to be replaced. The car was taken to the dealership for the above outlined service in 2005. The power train was reprogrammed and the check engine light went away, but the catalytic converter was not replaced. The check engine light later returned. A diagnostic revealed that the catalytic converter needed replaced. …”

NHTSA complaint #10949042, filed 2017-02, 55,000 miles

“The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle's app sensor went out, which caused the vehicle to decelerate rapidly and not rev past 2500 rpms. The service department was contacted but could not find the cause of the problem. The app sensor was replaced 5 times. The contact had repair invoices available upon request. Updated 10/25/2006 - the brake light indicator on the dash remained on at all times. The dealer replaced the alternator. The ses light illuminated intermittently and the vehicle lacked power. The clutch slipped at time. The dealer replaced the clutch disc.”

NHTSA complaint #10166771, filed 2006-08, 34,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2017233%
20162170%
2015522%
2014638%
2013240%
2012632%
2011618%
201048%
20091414%
20081112%
200613%
200514%
200479%
20035126%
20022215%

Other parts of the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
22 complaints
Air bags
19 complaints
Electrical system
7 complaints
Engine cooling
7 complaints
Vehicle speed control
7 complaints
Suspension
6 complaints
Other or unknown
5 complaints
Equipment
3 complaints
Body and structure
3 complaints
Brakes
2 complaints
Exterior lighting
2 complaints
Seat belts
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer

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.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology