Most common 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback problems
Share of the 8 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback complaints by model year
Best Lancer Sportback years: 2009, 2011. Compare all years →
What 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback owners say
Electrical system
After car had been running for several minutes, the temperature control knob on the dashboard was stuck and was unable to turn from cold to warm. When turning the knob, the knob broke exposing electrical paneling. The air temperature was no longer adjustable and was would only blow cold air with the outside being below-freezing temperatures. This happened while car was stationary in driveway, but if happened while moving could have created an unsafe distraction leading to a dangerous incident.
Etacs failure. Loss of ability to signal turns, loss of wiper function below highest setting, loss of rear wiper, loss of daytime running light, loss of high beams, loss of wiper fluid control. Loss of function came on suddenly, mis spring 2016 returned intermittently over summer, then failed completely beginning of October. A recall for this exact same issue has been released for my vehicle type of a later year., but my car is not included in the current recall
2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 26 / 22 |
EPA ratings. Class: Wagon.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback a good car?
Based on 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 Lancer Sportback rates few complaints: 3.0× as many complaints as a typical year of the Lancer Sportback at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback?
The electrical system — 5 complaints, 63% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the a/c & heater (2) and engine & cooling (1).
How many recalls does the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2009 and 2011. See the full Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback years comparison.
At what mileage do 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 104,000 miles; 14% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.