U.S. public vehicle records

2003 Mitsubishi LANCER EVOLUTION problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

98 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

12,098 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2003 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 76 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Power Train:Clutch Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 44 of 98 complaints (44.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Transmission and shifting	9	9.2%
Braking behavior	3	3.1%
Electrical and battery issues	3	3.1%
Fuel system concerns	3	3.1%
Steering behavior	1	1.0%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Power Train:Clutch Assembly

Power Train:Manual Transmission

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)

Electrical System

Structure:Body

Power Train:Clutch Assembly:Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle)

Exterior Lighting

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Power Train:Clutch Assembly	44
Power Train:Manual Transmission	11
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	8
Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)	8
Electrical System	7
Structure:Body	6
Power Train:Clutch Assembly:Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle)	3
Exterior Lighting	2

Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 44; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 11; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 8; Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive): 8; Electrical System: 7; Structure:Body: 6; Power Train:Clutch Assembly:Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle): 3; Exterior Lighting: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 55; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (55). 22 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2010

2012

2015

2016

2018

2020

2023

2026

2004: 55; 2005: 12; 2006: 8; 2007: 5; 2008: 6; 2010: 2; 2012: 3; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2018: 1; 2020: 2; 2023: 1; 2026: 1

Pattern summary

Power Train:Clutch Assembly leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 9 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10065853 · 2004-04-09 (April 9, 2004)

EXTREMELY LOUD NOISES COMING FROM TRANSMISSION/FRONT TRANSFER CASE. I KNOW OF MANY OTHERS WITH THIS ISSUE. MITSUBISHI NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS SEVERE DEFECT IN THE EVO VIII FRONT TRANSFER CASE!*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 10,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10065853 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10068260 · 2004-05-04 (May 4, 2004)

I HAVE A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION-8, AND AT APPROXIMATELY 2,400 MILES I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY TRANSMISSION, AND NO MODIFICATIONS HAD BEED DONE TO THE CAR. IT STARTED OUT AS A 4TH TO 5TH GEAR SHIFTING PROBLEM(GRINDING). IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S RPM SENSITIVE. I HAD THE DEALERSHIP LOOK AT IT, AND THEY SAID IT WASN'T BAD ENOUGH NEED FIXING, HOWEVER, DID AKNOWLEDGE AFTER THEY DROVE IT THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING "OUT OF PLACE" WITH MY TRANSMISSION AND DID EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I WAS HAVING. I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN THREE TIMES FOR T…

Owner-reported narrative. 2,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068260 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10151709 · 2006-03-03 (March 3, 2006)

ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE BRAKES WHICH SEVERELY LIMITS STOPPING ABILITY. INTERMITTENT SEVERE VIBRATION IN FRONT END OF VEHICLE DURING LIGHT TO MODERATE BRAKING, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (45-70 MPH). VIBRATION AND RESULTING LOSS OF TRACTION AND CONTROL OF VEHICLE VERSUS ROAD SURFACE GREATLY REDUCES STOPPING CAPABILITY OF VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM ALSO APPEARS TO NEGATIVELY EFFECT ABS OPERATION SINCE SMOOTH BRAKING CANNOT BE APPLIED AND THEREFORE ABS WILL NOT ENGAGE IN MOST INSTANCES. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED SEVERAL TIMES BY DEALER, BUT …

Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10151709 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10322926 · 2010-03-30 (March 30, 2010)

MULTIPLE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ACTIVATED SIMPLTANEOUSLY (ABS, SRS, BATTERY, EMERGENCY BRAKE) AT THE SAME TIME THE HORN AND WIPERS MALFUNCTIONED IT WAS QUITE DISORIENTING AND HAPPENED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN A RAINSTORM! QUITE UNSAFE.

Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10322926 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10217684 · 2008-02-11 (February 11, 2008)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION. AT 65,000 MILES, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN OFF WHEN THE KEY WAS RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION. THE ONLY WAY TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE WAS BY REMOVING A FUSE. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD ACTIVATE BY THEMSELVES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A CORRODED WIRING HARNESS. THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED TEMPORARILY, BUT THEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, HIGH BEAMS, FOG LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS, AND PARKING LIGHTS FAILED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE D…

Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10217684 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10227112 · 2008-05-08 (May 8, 2008)

I HAD JUST ARRIVED FROM WORK AND PULLED-IN MY DRIVEWAY, I WAS IDLING MY CAR BEFORE SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE. I THEN SWITCHED OFF MY HEADLIGHTS, BUT THE HEADLIGHTS STAYED ON. I THEN PROCEEDED TO TURN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON, THEN OFF; AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE HEADLIGHTS FINALLY SWITCHED OFF, BUT THEN, THE HEADLIGHTS, PARKLIGHTS, MARKERS AND EVEN THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS WOULD FLICKER UNTIL THE IGNITION WAS SWITCHED OFF AND PULLED OUT THE KEY, BUT JUST BEFORE THIS INCIDENT I USED MY WIPERS TO CLEAR MY WINDSHIELD OF RAIN/MIST WITH A ONE WIPE/MAN…

Owner-reported narrative. 48,605 miles reported. Look up ODI 10227112 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10079147 · 2004-07-01 (July 1, 2004)

ECU REGISTERS P0300 (MULTIPLE CYLINDER MISFIRE) OBDII ERROR CODE. ERROR CODE IS THROWN, SES LIGHT COMES ON, AND CAR STUMBLES UNTIL THROTTLE IS RELEASED. THIS TYPICALLY OCCURS AT LIGHT THROTTLE OR CRUISING (STEADY) THROTTLE. IT CAN OCCUR UNDER LOAD (ACCELERATION) BUT NEVER OCCURS ON DECELERATION. KNOWN FACETS OF THIS PROBLEM THUS FAR ARE: 1) MITSUBISHI IS AWARE OF 2 ISSUES: STICKY (DIRTY) INJECTORS AND A TRANSMISSION HARMONIC RESONANCE, WHICH THROWS THE KNOCK SENSOR 2) THE CAR IS UNDRIVEABLE WHEN THIS OCCURS UNTIL THE THROTTLE IS R…

Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10079147 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10446905 · 2012-02-06 (February 6, 2012)

I GOT INTO MY CAR TO START AND IT WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT START. AFTER REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP, CHECKING ALL THE FUSES AND RELAYS, STILL THE SAME PROBLEM. THE WIRE HARNESS FUSE BLOCK THAT SITS INSIDE THE DRIVERS FOOT WELL HAS BEEN CORRODED BY WATER FROM A LEAK IN THE FIRE WALL. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT EVEN GOES BACK TO THE PREVIOUS GENERATION , EVO VII, AND WASN'T FIXED FOR THE FOLLOWING GENERATION, EVO IX. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 133,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10446905 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10925046 · 2016-11-08 (November 8, 2016)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING COLUMN DETACHED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10925046 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

98 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

77.6%Usable mileage76 / 98 records

100.0%Valid incident date98 / 98 records

100.0%Valid filing date98 / 98 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates98 / 98 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015
Power Train	11.0% ODI 10251551 · 48,000 mi 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION. LOUD GRINDING NOISES COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION WITHIN A FEW THOUSAND MILES. CARS UNDER 8 THOUSAND MILES HAVING TO REPLACE CLUTCHES AND TRANSMISSIONS. GEARS POPPING INTO NEUTRAL. DEALERSHIP ACCEPTED WARRANTY AND IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON THE CAR. CAR WAS RETURNED A 2ND TIME TO BE LOOKED AT AGAIN. *TR Look up ODI 10251551 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	17.1% ODI 10928414 · 60,000 mi WHILE DRIVING I HAD ALL 3 ACD LIGHTS COME ON. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATING AND A TRIP TO THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD MY ACD PUMP WAS BAD AND I WOULD NEED A NEW ONE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE CARS THAT STILL HASN'T BEEN FIXED WITH THE NEWER MODELS. I WAS QUOTED 2400 DOLLARS JUST FOR THE PUMP, NOT INCLUDING LABOR, AND THAT DOESN'T GUARANTEE THAT IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR Look up ODI 10928414 at NHTSA ↗	312.5% ODI 10567977 · 65,000 mi MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION 9 RS MODEL ACD PUMP FAILURE WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS. *TR Look up ODI 10567977 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	2672.2% ODI 10287130 · 19,000 mi MITSUBISHI MOTORS OF AMERICA HAS A AWD ECU SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR VEHICLES SPECIFICALLY DRIVEN IN COLD CONDITIONS. DEALERSHIPS AND MITSUBISHI CORPORATE HAVE DENIED MY CLAIM TO OBTAIN THIS SOFTWARE BECAUSE MY CAR WAS SOLD IN CALIFORNIA AND THEY HAVE SAID IT IS NOT ELIGIBLE. I TAKE MY VEHICLE EVERY YEAR UP IN THE SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAIN RANGE WHERE TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS ARE SIMILAR TO ANY OF THE NORTHERN STATES WITHIN THE SERVICE BULLETIN. THE MITSUBISHI SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER IS SC-09-002 ALSO AVAILABLE HERE ON GOOGLE DOCS TO READ ( HTTP://DOCS.GO… Look up ODI 10287130 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	2071.4% ODI 10448775 · 4,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION. WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP, THE CONTACT MOVED THE CLUTCH IN ORDER TO ACCELERATE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE CLUTCH WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000. Look up ODI 10448775 at NHTSA ↗	763.6% ODI 10514953 · 8,000 mi ACD PUMP FAILED AND DEALERSHIP WOULDN'T COVER IT CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY!! *TR Look up ODI 10514953 at NHTSA ↗	266.7% ODI 10550510 · 500 mi THE CAR IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SHIFT. FROM STOP TO ABOUT 40 MPH, THE SHIFTING FEELS LIKE DOESN'T WANT TO GO INTO GEAR. I WAS TOLD THIS IS NORMAL. THE CAR SEEMS TO SHIFT A LOT BETTER AT HIGHER RPMS; PROBABLY DUE TO LESS OF A SYNCHRONIZATION PROBLEM. MISS SHIFTS CAUSE DELAY IN ACCELERATION. *TR Look up ODI 10550510 at NHTSA ↗	250.0% ODI 10651868 · 9,000 mi THE AYC PUMP FAILED. *TR Look up ODI 10651868 at NHTSA ↗	233.3% ODI 10650428 · 2,690 mi ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2014, I PURCHASED A 2014 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION GSR. ON OCTOBER 17, 2014, WITH A LITTLE OVER 2700 MILES THE SERVICE/MAINTENANCE LIGHT COMES ON AND I DROVE THE CAR TO MITSUBISHI TO HAVE THEM CHECK THE CAR OUT. ON OCTOBER 21, 2014, I RETURNED TO DEALER AND THE CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY WAS DRIVEN INSIDE AND PLACED ON A LIFT TO BE INSPECTED. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT IT WOULD BE A LONGER WAIT THEN EXPECTED DUE TO MITSUBISHI'S HEAD OFFICE BEING LOCATED IN CALIFORNIA, AND TIME ZONE DIFFERENCE. I WAS NOT GIVEN A LOANER C… Look up ODI 10650428 at NHTSA ↗	3100.0% ODI 10936224 · 17,518 mi ALL WHEEL DRIVE NOT WORKING. FAILED WHILE DRIVING IN THE SNOW, SLIPPERY CONDITIONS. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS. THE AWD CENTER DIFF PUMP IS MOUNTED BEHIND THE REAR TIRE WHERE DEBRIS IS CONTINUALLY PRESENT. REPLACING THE PUMP IS NOT A PERMANENT FIX. *TR Look up ODI 10936224 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Clutch Assembly	4444.9% ODI 10066731 · 5,000 mi THE CLUTCH WORE OUT PREMATURELY WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 45-55 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP, WHO INDICATED THAT THE CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLE. *AK Look up ODI 10066731 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	214.3% ODI 10137410 · 9,661 mi I OWN A 2005 MITSUBISHI EVOLUTION LANCER THAT HAS 9,661 MILES ON IT AND THE CLUTCH IS ALREADY NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. MITSUBISHI ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM THAT DATES BACK TO THE 2003 LANCER, BUT YET THEY STILL REFUSE TO CONFRONT THE ISSUE AND TAKE CARE OF IT. *NM Look up ODI 10137410 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	1952.8% ODI 10287130 · 19,000 mi MITSUBISHI MOTORS OF AMERICA HAS A AWD ECU SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR VEHICLES SPECIFICALLY DRIVEN IN COLD CONDITIONS. DEALERSHIPS AND MITSUBISHI CORPORATE HAVE DENIED MY CLAIM TO OBTAIN THIS SOFTWARE BECAUSE MY CAR WAS SOLD IN CALIFORNIA AND THEY HAVE SAID IT IS NOT ELIGIBLE. I TAKE MY VEHICLE EVERY YEAR UP IN THE SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAIN RANGE WHERE TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS ARE SIMILAR TO ANY OF THE NORTHERN STATES WITHIN THE SERVICE BULLETIN. THE MITSUBISHI SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER IS SC-09-002 ALSO AVAILABLE HERE ON GOOGLE DOCS TO READ ( HTTP://DOCS.GO… Look up ODI 10287130 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	828.6% ODI 10480815 · 38,000 mi DROVE OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND WITHIN 5 SECONDS ABS MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AS STABILITY CONTROL. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR ABS SENSOR WAS FAULTY DUE TO THE SENSOR NOT BEING SEALED CORRECTLY BY THE MANUFACTURER WHICH LED TO CORROSION AND THE SENSOR FAILING. MITSUBISHI WOULD NOT WARRANTY THIS ITEM EVEN THOUGH ITS KNOWN TO BE FAULTY, MITSUBISHI EVEN HAS A NEW PART NUMBER FOR THE SENSOR. THIS SHOULD OBVIOUSLY BE A SAFETY RECALL. *TR Look up ODI 10480815 at NHTSA ↗	327.3% ODI 10609206 · 81,000 mi THE AYC PUMP FAILED AS NOTED BY A TROUBLE CODE. THE AYC PUMP DIRECTLY CORRELATES WITH THE STEERING AND STABILITY CONTROL FOR THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. *TR Look up ODI 10609206 at NHTSA ↗	133.3% ODI 10616432 · 31,650 mi 2012 EVO X GSR - FROM JBA MITSUBISHI (GLEN BURNIE, MD). AT 31,651 MILES - I WAS IN A FAST-FOOD DRIVE THRU LINE ORDERING BREAKFAST. THAT IS, 0MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN, I HEAR A CHIME AND SEE MY INSTRUMENT PANEL FLASH. MY DRIVING-MODE/STATUS LIGHT (WHICH SHOWS TARMAC/SNOW/GRAVEL) HAD TURNED OFF. ANOTHER LIGHT ILLUMINATED, SAYING '4WD SERVICE REQUIRED'. MY EVO IS 100% BONE STOCK, NO MODS/TUNE. I CALL AROUND AND DO SOME RESEARCH. I CHECK MY FLUIDS, TIRES (ALL 4, BRAND NEW, PROPERLY BALANCED), ETC. A LITTLE WHILE LATER, I DISCOVER THAT IT … Look up ODI 10616432 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	88.2% ODI 10088266 · 9,100 mi MOTOR HAS BLOWN TWICE 5 DAYS AFTER INTIAL BUY OF VEHICLE THEN AGAIN 6000 MILES LATER, MANUFACTER SAYS CUSTOMER NEGLECT, HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. *AK Look up ODI 10088266 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	833.3% ODI 10291199 · 20,000 mi I 1ST STARTED HEARING A METAL SCRAPING NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVE BELT AREA AROUND 20,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER OF MY 2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION IX MR. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ONLINE, I FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON/FREQUENT PROBLEM REPORTED BY MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME CAR THROUGHOUT THE WEB. IN FACT, I EVEN FOUND A YOUTUBE CLIP OF THE EXACT SAME NOISE CREATED FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. THE NOISE HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO BE INVOLVING THE TIMING BELT RUBBING AGAINST THE CRANKSHAFT BLADE. I'VE ONLY FOUND IT TO ONLY BE AUDIBLE AT IDLE, SO … Look up ODI 10291199 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	77.1% ODI 10078606 · 19,000 mi 1. THIS CAR IS COMPLETELY STOCK AND DRIVEN BY AN ADULT WHO DOES NOT RACE OR ABUSE ANY OF THE CARS MECHANICAL SYSTEMS. 2. THE ISSUE I HAVE IS WITH A OBD-II 'ENGINE WARNING' CODE CELL 0300 I REPEATEDLY GET WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I EXPERIENCE THIS WARNING UP TO 5 TIMES A DAY DURING MY 20 MILE FREEWAY COMMUTE. THE CEL WARNING COMES ON MOST OFTEN DURING VERY LIGHT ACCELERATION INPUTS (5-15% THROTTLE) WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAINTAIN SPEED WITH THE OTHER TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD. WHILE GENTLY TOUCHING THE THROTTLE, THERE IS A SUDDEN AND VIOLENT E… Look up ODI 10078606 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	17.1% ODI 10457996 · 70,000 mi THE SRS AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, THE WIPERS WON'T STOP RUNNING. THE HORN STARTS ON ITSELF. ALL IS RELATED TO WATER ENTERING IN THE INNER FENDER, SHORTING ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS. THIS HAPPENS WHEN IT'S RAINY OUTSIDE. THIS HAPPENS TO EVERY EVOLUTION OWNER THAT I KNOW. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A RISK WITH AIR BAGS NOT WORKING CAUSED BY THAT, BUT THAT HIGHLY CONCERNS ME. IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT, I WOULD WANT TO BE SURE THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY... THANKS FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. *TR Look up ODI 10457996 at NHTSA ↗	28.3% ODI 10261125 THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTIONS MADE FROM 2003-2006. I HAVE HAD 2 OF THESE CARS AND SAME PROBLEM... ALMOST STARTED A FIRE IN MY CAR.. . WHERE THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS GOES THROUGH THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT FENDER, THERE'S A RUBBER GROMMET THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BLOCK WATER. WELL IN MY 2 CARS AND ABOUT 100 OTHERS ON THE AUTO FORUM I FREQUENT,(WWW.EVOLUTIONM.NET) THE RUBBER GROMMET FAILS TO DO ITS JOB OF BLOCKING WEATHER AND WATER IS LEAKING THROUGH GOING DOWN THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS AND INTO THE WIRING CONNECTORS. FROM THERE THE AV… Look up ODI 10261125 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	13.6% ODI 10488842 · 14,303 mi REQUESTED DEALER TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY A PROBLEM WHICH CAN CAUSE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE AT TEMPERATURES OF 20 BELOW ZERO AS DOCUMENTED IN MITSUBISHI TSB-10-13-002. WAS ADVISED BY DEALER AND LATER BY MITSUBISHI CUSTOMER RELATIONS THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY WARRANTY SINCE THE PROBLEM HAS NOT OCCURRED ON THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE. I RECOMMEND THAT THIS TSB BE CONSIDERED FOR A POSSIBLE RECALL IN THOSE PARTS OF THE COUNTRY WHERE THE TEMPERATURE REGULARLY GOES TO 20 BELOW ZERO. HAVING A DISABLED VEHICLE AT THAT TEMPERATURE IS A SAFETY … Look up ODI 10488842 at NHTSA ↗	218.2% ODI 10514953 · 8,000 mi ACD PUMP FAILED AND DEALERSHIP WOULDN'T COVER IT CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY!! *TR Look up ODI 10514953 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	116.7% ODI 11186330 · 32,769 mi ON 09/15/2018 AT ROUGHLY 11:30 AM WHILE OPERATING MY 2014 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION X WITH 32,XXX MILES I EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER, INCREASED EXHAUST NOISE AND THE ILLUMINATION OF POWERTRAIN FAULT LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. AFTER PULLING OFF THE ROADWAY TO INSPECT THE ISSUE A SMALL ENGINE BAY FIRE HAD BEEN FOUND (CHARD PAINT/INSULATION AND A STILL SMOLDERING WIRING HARNESS). AFTER ENSURING THAT THE FIRE WAS OUT AND SAFE THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT HAD BEEN PURCHASED FROM (MANGINO MITSUBISHI OF CLIFTON PARK) AN… Look up ODI 11186330 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Manual Transmission	1111.2% ODI 10068260 · 2,400 mi I HAVE A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION-8, AND AT APPROXIMATELY 2,400 MILES I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY TRANSMISSION, AND NO MODIFICATIONS HAD BEED DONE TO THE CAR. IT STARTED OUT AS A 4TH TO 5TH GEAR SHIFTING PROBLEM(GRINDING). IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S RPM SENSITIVE. I HAD THE DEALERSHIP LOOK AT IT, AND THEY SAID IT WASN'T BAD ENOUGH NEED FIXING, HOWEVER, DID AKNOWLEDGE AFTER THEY DROVE IT THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING "OUT OF PLACE" WITH MY TRANSMISSION AND DID EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I WAS HAVING. I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN THREE TIMES FOR T… Look up ODI 10068260 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Structure:Body	66.1% ODI 10066215 · 500 mi ROCK CHIPS BEHIND THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR. MANY LITTLE CHIPS RUNNING UP THE DOOR FRAME. THE CHIPS ARE IN THE CREASE OF THE DOOR JAMB. I CAN PROVIDE PICTURES. I TOOK THE CAR (2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION) TO HALL MITSUBISHI IN NEWPORT NEWS VIRGINIA AROUND JANUARY OR FEBRUARY. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID IT WAS ROCKS KICKED UP FROM THE ROAD AND DIRECTED ME TO CALL A TOUCH UP PAINT REPAIR SPECIALIST. I HAVE TALKED TO MANY OTHER LANCER EVOLUTION OWNERS AND SEEN FIRST HAND THAT ALMOST EVERY EVOLUTION HAS THIS PROBLEM. I CAN PROVIDE PICTURES OF … Look up ODI 10066215 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	17.1% ODI 10938875 · 95,000 mi FOUND EXCESSIVE RUST CAUSING STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO REAR UNI BODY FRAME SIDE MEMBERS. APPEARS TO HAVE RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT, SIMILAR TO THEIR CURRENT FRONT SUB FRAME RUST RECALL. AT THIS TIME NO ACCIDENTS/ DAMAGE CAUSED BUT LIKELY WILL RESULT IN UNI BODY WEAKENING AND POSSIBLE SUSPENSION/ STRUCTURAL FAILURE Look up ODI 10938875 at NHTSA ↗	28.3% ODI 10917930 I HAVE A RECALL ON MY 2006 MITSUBISHI FOR CORROSION ON SUBFRAME, I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER, THEY CHECKED THE CAR AND ORDERED THE CROSS MEMBER, SO WE MADE AN APPOINT TO TAKE CAR INTO DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT, LEFT THE CAR WITH THE DEALER FOR THE DAY, LATER THAT DAY I GOTTEN A CALL STATING THEY CANNOT GET THE BOLTS LOOSE DUE TO CORROSION AND I HAVE TO PAY TO REMOVE IT, I FIND IT STRANGE THAT THERES A RECALL ON A PART DUE TO CORROSION AND NOW THE BOLT IS SEIZED DUE TO THE SAME CORROSION, AND I HAVE TO PAY 392.00 TO REMOVE CROSS MEMBER BOLT SO THEY CA… Look up ODI 10917930 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	12.8% ODI 10286586 · 4,400 mi PURCHASE MY 2008 MITSUBUSHI EVOLUTION X ABOUT ONE MONTH AGO WITH 2,900MILES. I DON'T DRIVE IT OFTEN SINCE I HAVE A COMPANY CAR. MY CURRENT MILES IS 4,400MILES. I AM BEGINNING TO NOTICE ALOT OF SMALL CHIPS TOWARD THE BACK DOORS BOTTOM CORNER NEAR QUARTER PANEL ON BOTH SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. BEEN ON MANY FORUMS AND ALOT OF EVO X OWNER ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PAINT PROBLEM.THE ROAD CONDITION HERE ARE IN GOOD SHAPE, SO I DON'T SEE WHY THE PAINT IS CHIPPING AWAY. IM AFRAID WHEN I REACH 10,000MILES, THE CAR INTERIOR WOULD STILL BE FAIRLY NEW BUT THE … Look up ODI 10286586 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Suspension	11.0% ODI 11342164 · 80,000 mi UPON INSPECTION OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE IN THE REAR, AREAS OF SEVERE CORROSION HAS DEVELOPED UNDERNEATH THE REAR ON THE ALUMINUM SUBFRAME BAR THAT HOLDS THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND OTHER SUSPENSION COMPONENTS IN PLACE SUCH AS THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL & LATERAL CONTROL BARS THAT CAN SURELY COMPROMISE THE CARS ABILITY TO DRIVE IF UNNOTICED. ADDITIONALLY THE FUEL LINES ALONG THE GAS TANK, AS WELL SURROUNDING SURFACES ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR, HAVE DEVELOPED NOTICEABLE CORROSION AS WELL THAT IS ALSO PROVING TO BE A LARGE AREA OF CONCERN. I AM CERTAINLY CONC… Look up ODI 11342164 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	321.4% ODI 10149328 · 1 mi FRONT BEARINGS ARE LOOSE CAUSING ERRATIC STEERING, PREMATURE TIRE WEAR AND PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR. *JB Look up ODI 10149328 at NHTSA ↗	312.5% ODI 10626474 · 72,000 mi SPRING SEAT BROKE AT WELD JOINT TO SHOCK TUBE. SPRING TRANSLATED IN THE Z DIRECTION UNTIL IT WAS IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE TIRE. UPON BREAKAGE VEHICLE HAD EXTENSIVE SPRING RUBBING AGAINST TIRE. *TR Look up ODI 10626474 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	12.8% ODI 10511216 · 29,700 mi ON MONDAY 2013 APRIL 22 I [XXX] (OWNER OF VEHICLE) WAS GETTING OFF MY SHIFT AT APPROXIMATELY 0700 HOURS FROM BETHEL TWP PD; WHERE I WORK AS A PATROLMAN. THE TEMPERATURE WAS FAIRLY MILD 60-65F, I STARTED MY 2008 MITSUBISHI EVOLUTION 10 TO LET IT WARM UP LIKE I ALWAYS HAVE FOR APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES. I PUT MY EVO IN GEAR AND ON THE CENTER L.E.D. SCREEN I RECEIVED THE C161 MESSAGE WHICH INDICATES S-AWC FAILURE OR SUPER ALL WHEEL CONTROL. THIS EFFECTS EVERYTHING WITH THE CARS' SUSPENSION STABILITY, YAW CONTROL, AND THE "SMART BREAKING" FEATURE. … Look up ODI 10511216 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	19.1% ODI 10639384 · 21,900 mi TARMAC ICON BLINKS INCESSANTLY ON THE DISPLAY PANEL, AS ONE DRIVES. THE BLINKING CAN CAUSE PHOTOSENSITIVE EPILEPSY (PSE), WHICH IS A FORM OF EPILEPSY SEIZURES TRIGGERED BY VISUAL STIMULI THAT FORM PATTERNS IN TIME OR SPACE, SUCH AS FLASHING LIGHTS, BOLD, REGULAR PATTERNS, OR REGULAR MOVING PATTERNS. I FOUND OUT LATER, THE BLINKING IS AN INDICATOR THE ACD PUMP - ACTIVE CENTER DIFFERENTIAL - IS FAILING AND IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE COMPONENT COMPLETELY GIVES OUT. MANY, MANY INDIVIDUALS FROM THE COMMUNITY EXPERIENCES THE ACD PUMP F… Look up ODI 10639384 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 11520697 The vehicle's right front lower control arm is no longer secured to it's inner rear mounting location at the front crossmember. This condition allows for unintended movement of the right front wheel and was caused by structural failure of the front crossmember at the control arm to chassis attachment point due to corrosion exactly as described in SR-20-003REV_2. SR-20-003REV_2 only applies to certain earlier model year vehicles of the same type and design (Lancer model years 2008-2010). Later model years 2011-2015 are not mentioned in SR-2… Look up ODI 11520697 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Power Train:Clutch Assembly	2,999–11,299 mi	5,750 mi	32	ODI 10066731 · 5,000 mi THE CLUTCH WORE OUT PREMATURELY WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 45-55 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP, WHO INDICATED THAT THE CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLE. AK Look up ODI 10066731 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10074495 · 1,000 mi THE CLUTCH IS SHUTTERING / CHATTERING WHEN PULLING FROM A STOP IN 1ST AND MORE SO IN REVERSE. THIS STARTED HAPPENING MILDLY WHEN NEW AND IS NOW MUCH WORSE AT 7000 MILES. IN REVERSE THE SHAKING AND SHUTTERING IS OFTEN SO BAD I MUST PUSH THE CLUTCH BACK IN AND START OVER. THIS HAPPENS ON A DAILY BASIS. LA Look up ODI 10074495 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10074498 · 3,000 mi I HAVE A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW AND MY CLUTCH HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 3000 MILES COSTING NEARLY 1500 DOLLARS AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BY MITSUBISHI. IT WAS REPLACED WITH A AFTERMARKET CLUTCH I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEM WITH AS OF YET AND IT HAS 17000 MILES ON IT. *LA Look up ODI 10074498 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Manual Transmission	5,127–21,150 mi	13,000 mi	11	ODI 10068260 · 2,400 mi I HAVE A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION-8, AND AT APPROXIMATELY 2,400 MILES I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY TRANSMISSION, AND NO MODIFICATIONS HAD BEED DONE TO THE CAR. IT STARTED OUT AS A 4TH TO 5TH GEAR SHIFTING PROBLEM(GRINDING). IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S RPM SENSITIVE. I HAD THE DEALERSHIP LOOK AT IT, AND THEY SAID IT WASN'T BAD ENOUGH NEED FIXING, HOWEVER, DID AKNOWLEDGE AFTER THEY DROVE IT THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING "OUT OF PLACE" WITH MY TRANSMISSION AND DID EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I WAS HAVING. I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN THREE TIMES FOR T… Look up ODI 10068260 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10078498 · 7,853 mi I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE ONLY 7,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. 5TH GEAR SYNCHROS WENT BAD. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THE DEALERSHIP SPECIFICALLY ADVISED THEY HAVE HAD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS, AND IT SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED. *AK Look up ODI 10078498 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10079147 · 13,000 mi ECU REGISTERS P0300 (MULTIPLE CYLINDER MISFIRE) OBDII ERROR CODE. ERROR CODE IS THROWN, SES LIGHT COMES ON, AND CAR STUMBLES UNTIL THROTTLE IS RELEASED. THIS TYPICALLY OCCURS AT LIGHT THROTTLE OR CRUISING (STEADY) THROTTLE. IT CAN OCCUR UNDER LOAD (ACCELERATION) BUT NEVER OCCURS ON DECELERATION. KNOWN FACETS OF THIS PROBLEM THUS FAR ARE: 1) MITSUBISHI IS AWARE OF 2 ISSUES: STICKY (DIRTY) INJECTORS AND A TRANSMISSION HARMONIC RESONANCE, WHICH THROWS THE KNOCK SENSOR 2) THE CAR IS UNDRIVEABLE WHEN THIS OCCURS UNTIL THE THROTTLE IS R… Look up ODI 10079147 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	6,460–15,500 mi	12,050 mi	8	ODI 10088266 · 9,100 mi MOTOR HAS BLOWN TWICE 5 DAYS AFTER INTIAL BUY OF VEHICLE THEN AGAIN 6000 MILES LATER, MANUFACTER SAYS CUSTOMER NEGLECT, HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. AK Look up ODI 10088266 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10095787 · 4,781 mi I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR REGULAR SERVICE. I LET THEM KNOW IT WAS MAKING AN ODD RATTLE TYPE NOISE. I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOTHING TO BE CONCERNED WITH. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER THE ENGINE FAILED. IT WAS IN THE SHOP FOR TWO WEEKS. THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 5000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. THEY REBUILT THE ENGINE. AK Look up ODI 10095787 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10105945 · 2,000 mi ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. P0300 CODE. I'VE WENT BACK TO THE DEALERS FOR MORE THAN 3 TIMES FOR THIS VERY SAME CODE. THEY'VE DONE A ECU REFLASH FOR ME AND THEY SWAPPED THE FUEL INJECTORS AS WELL. THE ENGINE LIGHT STILL WENT OFF VERY OFTEN WITH THE SAME P0300 CODE.*AK Look up ODI 10105945 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)	10,100–19,050 mi	13,506 mi	5	ODI 10065853 · 10,100 mi EXTREMELY LOUD NOISES COMING FROM TRANSMISSION/FRONT TRANSFER CASE. I KNOW OF MANY OTHERS WITH THIS ISSUE. MITSUBISHI NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS SEVERE DEFECT IN THE EVO VIII FRONT TRANSFER CASE!*AK Look up ODI 10065853 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10098093 · 19,050 mi I HAVE A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION. AT 19,000 MILES THE CAR DEVELOPED A VERY LOUD SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR AT SPEEDS ABOVE 30MPH. I WORK AT A AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND CONCLUDED THAT THE SOUND IS COMING FROM THE TRANSFER ASE/FRONT DIFFERENTIAL. MORE THAN LIKELY FROM RING GEAR BEING IMPROPERLY SHIMMED FROM THE FACTORY. IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT RESOLVED WITH THE TRANSFERCASE/FRONT DIFFERENTIAL, WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS WITH OTHER LANCER EVOLUTION OWNERS THERE IS A CHANCE THAT THE TRANSFERCASE/DIFFERENTIAL COULD LOCK UP CAUSING A A… Look up ODI 10098093 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10175271 · 8,057 mi AFTER ONLY 8057 MILES ON MY 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION, MY TRANSFER CASE STARTED TO WHINE QUITE BADLY. AFTER READING SOME TECH ARTICLES, I FOUND THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON FAILURE. I ALSO KNOW THAT MITSUBISHI HAS HAD TRANSFER CASE RECALLS IN THE PAST DUE TO THEIR POOR REAR SEAL DESIGN. THE RECALLS WERE BASED OFF OF LAWSUITS AND DEATHS TO INDIVIDUALS DRIVING THEIR VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN ALL FOUR WHEELS HAVE LOCKED ON THEM CAUSING CATASTROPHIC LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. BASED ON MITSUBISHI'S TRACK RECORD, AND THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF L… Look up ODI 10175271 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	26,401–107,500 mi	66,803 mi	6	ODI 10078606 · 19,000 mi 1. THIS CAR IS COMPLETELY STOCK AND DRIVEN BY AN ADULT WHO DOES NOT RACE OR ABUSE ANY OF THE CARS MECHANICAL SYSTEMS. 2. THE ISSUE I HAVE IS WITH A OBD-II 'ENGINE WARNING' CODE CELL 0300 I REPEATEDLY GET WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I EXPERIENCE THIS WARNING UP TO 5 TIMES A DAY DURING MY 20 MILE FREEWAY COMMUTE. THE CEL WARNING COMES ON MOST OFTEN DURING VERY LIGHT ACCELERATION INPUTS (5-15% THROTTLE) WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAINTAIN SPEED WITH THE OTHER TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD. WHILE GENTLY TOUCHING THE THROTTLE, THERE IS A SUDDEN AND VIOLENT E… Look up ODI 10078606 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10227112 · 48,605 mi I HAD JUST ARRIVED FROM WORK AND PULLED-IN MY DRIVEWAY, I WAS IDLING MY CAR BEFORE SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE. I THEN SWITCHED OFF MY HEADLIGHTS, BUT THE HEADLIGHTS STAYED ON. I THEN PROCEEDED TO TURN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON, THEN OFF; AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE HEADLIGHTS FINALLY SWITCHED OFF, BUT THEN, THE HEADLIGHTS, PARKLIGHTS, MARKERS AND EVEN THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS WOULD FLICKER UNTIL THE IGNITION WAS SWITCHED OFF AND PULLED OUT THE KEY, BUT JUST BEFORE THIS INCIDENT I USED MY WIPERS TO CLEAR MY WINDSHIELD OF RAIN/MIST WITH A ONE WIPE/MAN… Look up ODI 10227112 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10322926 · 85,000 mi MULTIPLE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ACTIVATED SIMPLTANEOUSLY (ABS, SRS, BATTERY, EMERGENCY BRAKE) AT THE SAME TIME THE HORN AND WIPERS MALFUNCTIONED IT WAS QUITE DISORIENTING AND HAPPENED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN A RAINSTORM! QUITE UNSAFE. Look up ODI 10322926 at NHTSA ↗
Structure:Body	Too few reports for a range	90,000 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10066215 · 500 mi ROCK CHIPS BEHIND THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR. MANY LITTLE CHIPS RUNNING UP THE DOOR FRAME. THE CHIPS ARE IN THE CREASE OF THE DOOR JAMB. I CAN PROVIDE PICTURES. I TOOK THE CAR (2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION) TO HALL MITSUBISHI IN NEWPORT NEWS VIRGINIA AROUND JANUARY OR FEBRUARY. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID IT WAS ROCKS KICKED UP FROM THE ROAD AND DIRECTED ME TO CALL A TOUCH UP PAINT REPAIR SPECIALIST. I HAVE TALKED TO MANY OTHER LANCER EVOLUTION OWNERS AND SEEN FIRST HAND THAT ALMOST EVERY EVOLUTION HAS THIS PROBLEM. I CAN PROVIDE PICTURES OF … Look up ODI 10066215 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11083585 · 145,000 mi WHILE REPLACING FRONT SUB FRAME STRUCTURE UNDER RECALL FOR RUST AND CORROSION, RUST DAMAGE TO THE REAR STRUCTURE WAS NOTED BY DEALER. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THERE ARE HOLES IN THE REAR STRUCTURE AS WELL. Look up ODI 11083585 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11340609 · 100,000 mi SEVERE REAR FRAME RAIL UNIBODY RUST. SPECIFICALLY WHERE THE REAR ALUMINUM SUBFRAME MOUNTS TO THE BODY. MY VEHICLE, ALONG WITH THOUSANDS OTHER, HAVE SHARED SIMILAR RUST AND ROT FROM THE EXACT SAME LOCATIONS ON 2003-2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTIONS. ABSOLUTELY NO FRAME PROTECTION FOR THE STEEL BODY. THERE IS ALREADY A RECALL ON THE FRONT SUBFRAME FOR RUST THAT CAN ALLOW THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM TO FALL OUT. THE SAME COULD HAPPEN TO THE REAR OF THESE VEHICLES WHERE THE ENTIRE REAR END/DRIVETRAIN AND SUSPENSION COULD FAIL AND FALL OUT, POTENTIA… Look up ODI 11340609 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Clutch Assembly:Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle)	Too few reports for a range	7,600 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10071805 · 7,600 mi WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH CONSUMER SHIFTED GEARS AND SMELLED A BURNING ODOR. VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SHOULDER, AND THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE PUSH ROD TO THE CLUTCH WAS BEND. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE PUSH ROD WAS INDEED BEND. AK Look up ODI 10071805 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10078498 · 7,853 mi I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE ONLY 7,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. 5TH GEAR SYNCHROS WENT BAD. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THE DEALERSHIP SPECIFICALLY ADVISED THEY HAVE HAD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS, AND IT SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED. AK Look up ODI 10078498 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10102186 · 3,200 mi I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 MITSUBISHI EVOLUTION VIII WITH ABOUT 300 MILES ON APRIL 28TH 2004. APPROX. 3 MONTHS LATER I NOTICED THAT THE CLUTCH STARTED TO SLIP IN SECOND GEAR. I THEN PROCEEDED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THE CLUTCH WAS BLOWN. AT THIS TIME I HAD APPOX. 3200 MILES ON MY NEW VEHICLE. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A REPLACEMENT CLUTCH PUT IN AND THAT FOR THEM TO EVEN LOOK AT THE CLUTCH IT WOULD COST $500 FOR THEM TO DROP THE PARTS NEEDED TO CONFIRM THIS PROBLEM, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS RIDICULOUS BECAUSE I… Look up ODI 10102186 at NHTSA ↗
Exterior Lighting	Too few reports for a range	79,000 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10243393 · 25,000 mi THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE AND HAD NO PROBLEMS THEN WHEN I STARTED IT UP ONE DAY THE DASH LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS STARTED PULSING. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE ALTERNATOR SO I HAD IT CHECKED OUT. THE SHOP SAID THE ALTERNATOR IS IN PERFECT CONDITION AND COULDN'T FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. THE PULSATING LIGHTS IS STILL GOING ON, AND I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. TR Look up ODI 10243393 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10446905 · 133,000 mi I GOT INTO MY CAR TO START AND IT WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT START. AFTER REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP, CHECKING ALL THE FUSES AND RELAYS, STILL THE SAME PROBLEM. THE WIRE HARNESS FUSE BLOCK THAT SITS INSIDE THE DRIVERS FOOT WELL HAS BEEN CORRODED BY WATER FROM A LEAK IN THE FIRE WALL. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT EVEN GOES BACK TO THE PREVIOUS GENERATION , EVO VII, AND WASN'T FIXED FOR THE FOLLOWING GENERATION, EVO IX. TR Look up ODI 10446905 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Complaints	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	1	None	ODI 11712740 My vehicle was clean title but then it was considered salvage title, it was involved in a car accident on 9/07/2023 . I never knew about the recall because I am not the first owner. how i found out about the recall was because I have to do brake and lamp inspection and it failed on 10/09/2024 so I took the vehicle to Hayward Mitsubishi on 10/15/2024 to get the recall fix and since then they have not contacted me in any way to give me an update I have called them several times and they told me that they have not received the label so I then deci… Look up ODI 11712740 at NHTSA ↗
2026-02	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	0	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2014: 1 complaints · 2015: 2 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2014	1	1	1
2015	0	1	2

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2014	6	0	0
2015	3	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Power Train:Clutch Assembly	Power Train:Manual Transmission	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)	Electrical System	Structure:Body	Power Train:Clutch Assembly:Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle)	Exterior Lighting
Power Train:Clutch Assembly	—	1 ODI 10078498 · 7,853 mi I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE ONLY 7,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. 5TH GEAR SYNCHROS WENT BAD. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THE DEALERSHIP SPECIFICALLY ADVISED THEY HAVE HAD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS, AND IT SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED. *AK Look up ODI 10078498 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	2 ODI 10078498 · 7,853 mi I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE ONLY 7,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. 5TH GEAR SYNCHROS WENT BAD. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THE DEALERSHIP SPECIFICALLY ADVISED THEY HAVE HAD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS, AND IT SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED. *AK Look up ODI 10078498 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10102186 · 3,200 mi I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 MITSUBISHI EVOLUTION VIII WITH ABOUT 300 MILES ON APRIL 28TH 2004. APPROX. 3 MONTHS LATER I NOTICED THAT THE CLUTCH STARTED TO SLIP IN SECOND GEAR. I THEN PROCEEDED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THE CLUTCH WAS BLOWN. AT THIS TIME I HAD APPOX. 3200 MILES ON MY NEW VEHICLE. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A REPLACEMENT CLUTCH PUT IN AND THAT FOR THEM TO EVEN LOOK AT THE CLUTCH IT WOULD COST $500 FOR THEM TO DROP THE PARTS NEEDED TO CONFIRM THIS PROBLEM, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS RIDICULOUS BECAUSE I… Look up ODI 10102186 at NHTSA ↗	0
Power Train:Manual Transmission	1 ODI 10078498 · 7,853 mi I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE ONLY 7,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. 5TH GEAR SYNCHROS WENT BAD. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THE DEALERSHIP SPECIFICALLY ADVISED THEY HAVE HAD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS, AND IT SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED. *AK Look up ODI 10078498 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10078498 · 7,853 mi I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE ONLY 7,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. 5TH GEAR SYNCHROS WENT BAD. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THE DEALERSHIP SPECIFICALLY ADVISED THEY HAVE HAD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS, AND IT SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED. *AK Look up ODI 10078498 at NHTSA ↗	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Electrical System	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	1 ODI 10446905 · 133,000 mi I GOT INTO MY CAR TO START AND IT WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT START. AFTER REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP, CHECKING ALL THE FUSES AND RELAYS, STILL THE SAME PROBLEM. THE WIRE HARNESS FUSE BLOCK THAT SITS INSIDE THE DRIVERS FOOT WELL HAS BEEN CORRODED BY WATER FROM A LEAK IN THE FIRE WALL. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT EVEN GOES BACK TO THE PREVIOUS GENERATION , EVO VII, AND WASN'T FIXED FOR THE FOLLOWING GENERATION, EVO IX. *TR Look up ODI 10446905 at NHTSA ↗
Structure:Body	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Power Train:Clutch Assembly:Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle)	2 ODI 10078498 · 7,853 mi I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE ONLY 7,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. 5TH GEAR SYNCHROS WENT BAD. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THE DEALERSHIP SPECIFICALLY ADVISED THEY HAVE HAD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS, AND IT SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED. *AK Look up ODI 10078498 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10102186 · 3,200 mi I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 MITSUBISHI EVOLUTION VIII WITH ABOUT 300 MILES ON APRIL 28TH 2004. APPROX. 3 MONTHS LATER I NOTICED THAT THE CLUTCH STARTED TO SLIP IN SECOND GEAR. I THEN PROCEEDED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THE CLUTCH WAS BLOWN. AT THIS TIME I HAD APPOX. 3200 MILES ON MY NEW VEHICLE. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A REPLACEMENT CLUTCH PUT IN AND THAT FOR THEM TO EVEN LOOK AT THE CLUTCH IT WOULD COST $500 FOR THEM TO DROP THE PARTS NEEDED TO CONFIRM THIS PROBLEM, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS RIDICULOUS BECAUSE I… Look up ODI 10102186 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10078498 · 7,853 mi I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE ONLY 7,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. 5TH GEAR SYNCHROS WENT BAD. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THE DEALERSHIP SPECIFICALLY ADVISED THEY HAVE HAD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS, AND IT SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED. *AK Look up ODI 10078498 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	—	0
Exterior Lighting	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10446905 · 133,000 mi I GOT INTO MY CAR TO START AND IT WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT START. AFTER REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP, CHECKING ALL THE FUSES AND RELAYS, STILL THE SAME PROBLEM. THE WIRE HARNESS FUSE BLOCK THAT SITS INSIDE THE DRIVERS FOOT WELL HAS BEEN CORRODED BY WATER FROM A LEAK IN THE FIRE WALL. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT EVEN GOES BACK TO THE PREVIOUS GENERATION , EVO VII, AND WASN'T FIXED FOR THE FOLLOWING GENERATION, EVO IX. *TR Look up ODI 10446905 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

2 patterns with matching reports.

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

3 mentions · 3.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 16,000 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10078606 · 19,000 mi

1. THIS CAR IS COMPLETELY STOCK AND DRIVEN BY AN ADULT WHO DOES NOT RACE OR ABUSE ANY OF THE CARS MECHANICAL SYSTEMS. 2. THE ISSUE I HAVE IS WITH A OBD-II 'ENGINE WARNING' CODE CELL 0300 I REPEATEDLY GET WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I EXPERIENCE THIS WARNING UP TO 5 TIMES A DAY DURING MY 20 MILE FREEWAY COMMUTE. THE CEL WARNING COMES ON MOST OFTEN DURING VERY LIGHT ACCELERATION INPUTS (5-15% THROTTLE) WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAINTAIN SPEED WITH THE OTHER TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD. WHILE GENTLY TOUCHING THE THROTTLE, THERE IS A SUDDEN AND VIOLENT E…

Look up ODI 10078606 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10160553 · 7,019 mi

P0300 MULTI-CYLINDER RANDOM MISFIRE. AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS MADE MY MITSUBISHI, THIS PROBLEM HAS NEVER BEEN FIXED. ON AVERAGE, THIS HAPPENS 3-4 TIMES DAILY, EVERYDAY AND HINDERS DRIVEABILITY. MITSUBISHI HAS ISSUED PARTS TO BE WARRANTED AND HAS DENIED ALL RESPONSIBILITY. MITSUBISHI HAS QUOTED THAT THE SES (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT) IN NO WAY, WHEN ILLUMINATED, AFFECTS DRIVEABILITY, VALUE, MECHANICAL FUNCTIONS OF THE VEHICLE. THEREFORE, IN SHORT, THEY ARE CLAIMING THAT THE LIGHT IS JUST FOR SHOW. I HAVE WRITTEN PROOF FROM MITSUBISHI WITH THAT STATEMENT DE…

Look up ODI 10160553 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10186334 · 16,000 mi

MY VEHICLE HAD REPEATEDLY SHOWN A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FOR A MISFIRE CODE. EVERY TIME I GET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT,THE CAR VIBRATES AND LOSES AT LEAST 45% POWER. I FEEL THAT THE CAR IS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR FOR DIAGNOSIS 7 PLUS TIMES. HELL, THEY EVEN REBUILT THE ENGINE IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIX THE PROBLEM! THAT OBVIOUSLY DID NOT CURE THE PROBLEM. NOW I AM OUT OF WARRANTY.*AK

Look up ODI 10186334 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Hard or delayed shifting

1 mentions · 1.0% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 10068363

I OWN A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION WITH 10,500 MILES. THE CLUTCH APPEARS TO HAVE PREMATURELY WORN OUT AS ENGAGEMENT IS VERY ROUGH AND CAUSES THE CAR TO JUMP AND LURCH FROM A STAND STILL. COMING FROM A START IN FIRST GEAR IS THE PRIMARY PROBLEM. THIS "CLUTCH SHUTTER/CHATTER" IS VERY COMMON IN THE EVO VIII COMMUNITY AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. THE DEALER TELLS ME IT IS DUE TO A WORN CLUTCH PLATE AND IS A "WEAR ITEM" AND THUS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN AGGRESSIVELY LET ALONE ABUSED. FROM THE INFO I GATHER MANY…

Look up ODI 10068363 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule