2004 Mitsubishi Lancer recalls and problems

4 recalls and 80 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer.

4
recalls
80
owner complaints
7
complaints mentioning a crash
3
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2004 Mitsubishi Lancer recalls

Air bags: frontal, passenger side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 18V220000 · reported April 5, 2018 · Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. · 17,120 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
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. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-005.

Air bags: frontal, passenger side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 17V569000 · reported September 14, 2017 · Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. · 66,001 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
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. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-17-001. Note: This recall supersedes recall 15V-321.

Suspension: front, control arm, lower arm

NHTSA campaign 16V458000 · reported June 23, 2016 · Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. · 194,674 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied or the front cross member will be replaced with a new one that has a sealing/anti-corrosion agent applied to it. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-003.

Equipment: other, labels

NHTSA campaign 04V428000 · reported September 1, 2004 · MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN · 100,432 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, 'occupant crash protection.' the bilingual english/spanish removable air bag warning labels affixed to the dash and to the sunvisor do not meet the size requirements of the standard.
The risk
This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
The fix
Mitsubishi caribbean will mail a customer notification letter containing a written description and a graphic of the bi-lingual dashboard air bag warning label. In addition, all current 2000-2004 nativa owners will also receive replacement air bag alert labels for the sun visors. This recall is expected to begin during march or april 2005. The notification to the nativa owners is expected to begin during april or may 2005. Owners should contact mitsubishi caribbean at 1-787-251-8715.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Mar 2, 2019 · Air bags

TAKATA RECALL. HAD ORIGINAL AIRBAG REPLACED 2 YRS AGO. RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MITSUBISHI STATING I NEEDED TO HAVE IT DONE AGAIN. I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR MITSUBISHI WHEN I LEARNED THEY NO LONGER HAVE A MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP LOCALLY. I WAS ADVISED AT THAT TIME THAT THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP , IN EITHER DIRECTION, WAS…

Aug 20, 2018 · Air bags

2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED HE IS TOO VISUALLY IMPAIRED TO DRIVE THE LONG DISTANCE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED; THEREFORE, ACCEPTING ALL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONSEQUENCES.

Jul 27, 2018 · Suspension · 148,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO ONE SIDE AND THE TIRES WERE WORN DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT TIRE FACILITY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE…

Jul 23, 2018 · Suspension · 154,398 miles

I WAS GOING TO REPLACE THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS ON MY OWN BUT NOW I AM ONLY GOING TO BE ABLE TO REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER CONTROL ARM BECAUSE THE DRIVER SIDE CONTROL ARM IS CORRODED AND THE BOLT DOES NOT COME OUT. I WAS GOING TO BUY THE CROSSMEMBER MYSELF BUT THAN A FAMILY MEMBER SHOWED ME A LINK THAT SAYS THIS…

Jul 19, 2018 · Air bags

2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT PROVIDE A CONVENIENT OPTION TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR COMPLETED.

Lancer model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2002 2148321
2003 2199131
2004 48073
2005 32430
2006 43750
2007 2200

Across all years, the 2003 Lancer has the most complaints (199). All Mitsubishi Lancer years →

Questions

Does the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer, the most recent reported on April 5, 2018 (Air bags: frontal, passenger side, inflator module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Owners have filed 80 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is visibility (21 complaints), followed by air bags (19).
How many 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer complaints mention a crash or fire?
7 of 80 complaints report a crash and 3 a fire; 4 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received March 2, 2019.