Worst 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Airbags
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Visibility
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags | 19 | 2 | 1 | 73,620 mi | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 10 | — | — | 92,250 mi | |
| Visibility | 7 | — | — | 70,333 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 6 | — | 2 | 42,250 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 5 | 1 | — | 36,339 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Windshield:Electrical Heating Element | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm | 1 | 1 | — | — |
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.
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.
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.
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?
What are common problems with the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer?
How safe is the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Does the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer?
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.
Check Your Specific 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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