MYRModel Year Report

2004 Mitsubishi Lancer

● Typical for this model
2004 Mitsubishi Lancer
RENDERED 2026-10-31T15:33:38.917Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
80
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2004

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Visibility

26% of complaints

Complaints per year

1996: 1 complaint 1996 2000: 1 complaint 2002: 148 complaints 2003: 199 complaints 2004: 80 complaints 2004 80 2005: 24 complaints 2006: 37 complaints 2007: 2 complaints 2008: 91 complaints 2009: 98 complaints 2009 2010: 51 complaints 2011: 34 complaints 2012: 19 complaints 2012 2013: 5 complaints 2014: 16 complaints 2015: 23 complaints 2015 2016: 30 complaints 2017: 6 complaints
1996: 1 complaint 1996 2000: 1 complaint 2002: 148 complaints 2002 2003: 199 complaints 2004: 80 complaints 2004 80 2005: 24 complaints 2006: 37 complaints 2006 2007: 2 complaints 2008: 91 complaints 2008 2009: 98 complaints 2010: 51 complaints 2010 2011: 34 complaints 2012: 19 complaints 2012 2013: 5 complaints 2014: 16 complaints 2014 2015: 23 complaints 2016: 30 complaints 2016 2017: 6 complaints
1996: 1 complaint 1996 2000: 1 complaint 2000 2002: 148 complaints 2002 2003: 199 complaints 2003 2004: 80 complaints 2004 80 2005: 24 complaints 2005 2006: 37 complaints 2006 2007: 2 complaints 2007 2008: 91 complaints 2008 2009: 98 complaints 2009 2010: 51 complaints 2010 2011: 34 complaints 2011 2012: 19 complaints 2012 2013: 5 complaints 2013 2014: 16 complaints 2014 2015: 23 complaints 2015 2016: 30 complaints 2016 2017: 6 complaints 2017

2004: 80 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19961
20001
2002148
2003199
200480
200524
200637
20072
200891
200998
201051
201134
201219
20135
201416
201523
201630
20176

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Visibility

26% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing defroster/defogger/hvac system and electrical heating element.

Air bags

24% · 19 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The vehicle was involved in a front collision accident. The air bag did not deploy upon impact. Manufacturer was contacted by consumer.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-02-17

Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V569000 (Air bags).

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-05-03

Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that the SRS indicator illuminated and the horn did not work.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-05-02

Electrical system

9% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-07-07

Also filed under Power train and structure

1. After driving vehicle for an hour or less (Depending on atmospheric conditions) a spark/static discharge occurs between the external metal surface of the vehicle and the first occupant exiting vehicle. *ak 2.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-07-07

Vehicle speed control

9% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing cruise control and accelerator pedal.

CRASH

Power train

9% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing manual transmission and clutch assembly.

CRASHFIRE

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2006-05-09Exterior lighting06E023000 Certain anzo combination headlamp assemblies sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps are not equipped with amber side reflectors which fail to…

    Remedy: Anzo will notify owners and replace the headlamps free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2006. Owners may contact anzo USA at 909-468-3688.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  4. I
    2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  5. R
    2016-09-14Suspension16V458000 Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

    Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2017-10-12Air bags17V569000 Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Lancer and Lancer Evolution vehicles and 2004 Lancer Sportback vehicles.

    Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with a different inflator, free of charge. The recall began on October 12, 2017. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2018-04-26Air bags18V220000 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.

    Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will install a final replacement passenger side frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on April 26, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    Date not on fileEquipment04V428000 Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no.

    Remedy: Mitsubishi caribbean will mail a customer notification letter containing a written description and a graphic of the bi-lingual dashboard air bag warning label.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    Date not on fileExterior lighting06E064000 Certain tradesonic combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles.

    Remedy: Tradesonic will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during July 2006. Owners may contact tradesonic at 626-934-8884.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2004 Mitsubishi Lancer — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Visibility: 21 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 19 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 7 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V428000 · Equipment
  • Recall 06E064000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E023000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 16V458000 · Suspension
  • Recall 17V569000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V220000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer?
The most-reported component is visibility, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.