2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Problems

Above Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer.

20032005
Complaints
96
Crashes
8
Fires
5
Injuries
4
Fatalities
Recalls
3

Worst 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#119 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:73,620 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:1
#210 complaints

Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System

Avg mileage:92,250 mi
#37 complaints

Visibility

Avg mileage:70,333 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer.

Airbags
19
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
73,620
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
92,250
Visibility
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
70,333
Electrical Faults
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
42,250
Unintended Acceleration
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
36,339
Suspension Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Windshield:Electrical Heating Element
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Other Equipment
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Manual Transmission
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belts:Front
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Suspension:Front
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer

3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~277,795 vehicles.

18V220000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~17,120 affected

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles that previously received a like-for-like passenger side frontal air bag inflator under recall 15V321 as interim remedy. Also recalled are 2004-2006 Lancer vehicles located in Guam or Saipan that previously received or never received a new inflator under 15V321 or 17V569. These passenger side frontal air bag inflators may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to explode in the event of an air bag deployment.

17V569000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~66,001 affected

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Lancer and Lancer Evolution vehicles and 2004 Lancer Sportback vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

16V458000Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
~194,674 affected

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2002-2007 Lancer, 2004 Lancer Wagon, 2003-2006 Lancer Evolution, 2003-2006 Outlander and 2007-2013 Outlander V-6 vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.

Other Mitsubishi Lancer Years

2004 Mitsubishi Lancer — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer has 96 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 19 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Top reported problems: Airbags (19 complaints, avg 73,620 mi); Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System (10 complaints, avg 92,250 mi); Visibility (7 complaints, avg 70,333 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 69,124 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer?
NHTSA complaints for the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer include 8 crash-related reports, 5 fire reports, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 277,795 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Mitsubishi Lancer reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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