Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 released. 3) my vehicle in particular is almost 100% undriveable on the highway due to this problem recurring every 10-15 seconds during any sort of highway driving period. …
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 this, but it is obvious that they have no desire to fix this. Then around 4,500 miles it started to have problems going into second gear, and third gear with a very notchy and rough engagement. I now have 12,500 miles on my car and the shifting is getting much worse. …
I had bought my car brand new on January 10th, 2004 with about 300 miles on the car already from the day I bought it from fred beans Mitsubishi. Since then I have not been hard on my car at all. But about 2,500 miles on the car, my clutch started to stick and I felt that something was wrong. I reported it to Mitsubishi and I was told that it was a normal thing these car's do. On March 6th 2004 I was driving normally down the boulevard, when out of nowhere when I am starting to pull away in my car, the clutch sticks down all the way and would not release back. I had to scoop my foot under it and manually pull it back. I barely got it home before the clutch totally died on me. I took it to Mitsubishi that following weekend and they told me that they will not cover the clutch because they say all of us youngsters abuse cars and that we will not warranty the part. …
Clutch failure after 2778 miles of driving a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution viii. Purchased new vehicle (used broker jim estrada autobroker [phone]) from mark Mitsubishi with 1586 miles. After driving 1192 addtional miles the clutch started slipping. Returned car to mark Mitsubishi to find that clutch problem is not covered by auto warranty. After researching NHTSA website I found 13 similar failures of clutch problems with same result with dealers. There are now 30 reported incidents. I tried to have problem repaired under warranty but was told it was my problem. While negotiating repair my daughter was told by salesperson he knew of clutch problems with this model car. I was also told by this same salesperson that they had problems. His reply when asked why buyer is not informed was that I should do my homework. …
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 $500 for them to drop the parts needed to confirm this problem, which I thought was ridiculous because I was at trhe mercy of the dealership and Mitsubishi's sub-par replacement part. I had my car towed to a local performance shop where they instructed me to replace the clutch with a more durable and well know act race dics. In doing the repair also the flywheel seemed to be damaged so that was replaced as well. …
Vehicle was bought used. Still has remaining factory powertrain warranty. Vehicle had clutch problems when I took delivery of vehicle in July. Dealer was informed of problem immediately after test driving vehicle. Dealer protested a replacement. Had service records pulled for vehicle. Clutch was replaced under warranty for first owner. Dealer replaced disc and pressure plate. Left assembly line throwout bearing on vehicle. Stated that it is a "non-wear" item. Throwout bearing failed to disengage causing disc friction material to be "spun" some time back. Dealer was informed of this incident. Again, protested replacement stating it is a "non-warranty item". Clutch is considered a wear item, even thought it is the integral link in the powertrain assembly. Clutch completely failed and left this author stranded 45 miles from home, on this date. …
Mitsubishi Evolution clutch failure, I bought a 2003 Lancer Evolution 8, I had it for less then 5000 miles before the clutch started to wear down, I brought it to the dealer for warranty work, they accepted the warranty work, adding that they should have charged me 1500$ for the repair because it was abuse, now the car is at 10,000 miles doing the same thing, I use this car to go to and from work only, since I have two cars, now they wont even take my calls, if I mention Lancer Evolution clutch to any Mitsubishi warranty department, they cut me off in the middle of a sentence and say"the clutch wear is caused by abuse, sir there is no problem with the clutch it is your fault!" then proceed to hang up on me. Im tired of this, and im not going to pay up to 1900 for a problem they caused. My car is now in operable! 3 days after the clutch started slipping!
On June 1st the clutch failed completely it was composed of the clutch slipping and then exploding. This car was not abused and from the 3rd day I bought the car the clutch was slipping. I tried to get the factory to do somthing about it then but had no luck. I was told I was going to have to pay for it out of pocket. I ended up paying for the clutch replacement out of pocket anyway now they are threatening to void my warranty because I didnt replace it with their stock replacement! After the clutch replacement the transfer case and transmission is giving me troubles after only 700 miles. The dealer that I had the clutch repair done then refered me to another dealer to have the car fixed. It has developed a high pitched whine that starts about 40mph it sounds like a wwii bomb shelter warning siren. This has been a miserable experience!
I bought my 2003 Mitsubishi evo shortly after returning from a tour in iraq in 2006, after a short time of driving the car I noticed a grinding sound coming from the car when I let the clutch out in 1st gear, and now reverse as well. I bought the car under original factory warranty and went as far as to purchase the platnum extended warranty. After replacing thousands of dollars in parts on my car it has come down to the clutch, which is a wear item and not covered. The more disturbing portion of this is that I was told on my second visit to the dealership for this problem that the car was sold to me with an aftermarket clutch, and that should have voided the original factory warranty in the first place, to include my extended warranty as well. Now I am stuck with this problem and have to look for legal assistance.
My manual transmission in my Lancer Evolution started to feel rough around 350 miles I thought in was normal since it was a new car. But around 1700 miles the problem got worse I took it to the attention of the dealer where I purchased it form but the mechanic said it was fine, so I took it home the way it was. I now have 5000 miles and my clutch is all worn out and my dealer refuses to fix the problem even though I have never abused of the car I am still trying to break it in. So I think it does not make since that I would have to change my clutch 20 times before my 100,000 miles. So I don't think the clutch went out under normal wear and tear there has to be something wrong with this car there have been to many complaints about the same problem.
Transmission complaints in other Lancer Evolution years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution?
NHTSA has 65 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, 66% of the model year's 98 complaints. The component named most often is clutch assembly (44 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 8,000 miles, and 84% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.