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 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I purchased a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer ls, frm the mmsa co. Used parking lot, with only a 100 miles. Car seemed to run fine, and then it started to randomly revv and them stall. It wasnt that bad at first, but 06/04 it became a problem. Id stall about 8-12 x a day (avg.), id taken it to the mitsu dealers who all said: they fixed it, couldnt replicate the problem, or there was nothing wrong. While on the freeway, I started to brake and then realized that I had no power to my car- it had stalled in motion. All lights were on on dashboard and the lenght between me and the other car was inevitable. Even when I had taken it to a dealer only 4 days before who said they fixed it. I ended up totally my car and recieved many injuries, and Mitsubishi didnt even help me. At the time of my crash I had just hit 10000 miles- I should not have had a problem like this with a brand new (basically) car.
At around 9500 miles the car began sticking, slipping gears, jamming into gear. It was diagnosed as a failed body valve, which they ordered and sent me home for 10 days waiting for the part--meanwhile the car progressively became worse, making entering the freeway questionable, etc. After 10 days it began doing the same thing--took car back in--they sent me home while they tried to reach Mitsubishi...when I demanded rental stating I did not feel safe (I called Mitsubishi, who intervened and had me take car back to dealer until it is fixed). Dealer told me they are ordering 6 more transmission parts based on Mitsubishi's advice. …
I bought my 2003 Lancer es when it had 16,000 miles on it, by about 30,000 miles I noticed that the automatic transmission seemed to be slipping, sometimes when driving and I would let up on accelerator to slow and then would depress accelerator again the car would act like it was in neutral, car did not accelerate, this happened on the highway and at slow speeds, 30 miles an hour or slower. On 8-25-05 I took the car in to the dealership at northtowne Mitsubishi and reported this problem and that the right passenger ball joint had failed inspection at 34000 miles. I asked the dealer to look at transmission at the same time, I was told they would check it out, I was told that this type of transmission developed a memory and if one person drove it harder that another this could happen, sounded like a bunch of hooey to me, but I don't know much about cars. I took the car back in on dec. …
When driving my Lancer either on city or highway, it refuses to shift. The rpms go up, but the car wont accelerate. It actually slows down as if I'm pressing on the brakes (and im not) then out of nowhere the gear will shift and the car lurches forward unexpectedly. It does this all the time. The last time it did it I ran into a car. This is a huge hazard. When I step on the brakes the car almost stops, then jumps forward about 2 feet before actually stopping. This is a horrible thing to do to a driver. The car literally has a mind of it's own and the dealership refuses to do anything about it. I've seen complaints about other owners with the same issue and all of them say that their transmission died completely thus leaving their car permanently motionless. I can't even look forward to getting this fixed...I can only look forward to.....nothing. …
When driving my vehicle the transmission does not shift gears properly. Normal operation of the vehicle leads to jerky transitions from gear to gear and results in the inability to gauge the amount of pressure need to maintain/reach/sustain speed. This occurs in both highway and city environments. I have had the car serviced according to mfg'r recommendations of every 3000 miles. I have about 35000 miles on the vehicle at this point. It started doing this at about 4000 miles. I have had the vehicle checked multiple times. When taken to the dealership they informed me nothing was wrong. I have changed the trans. Fluid as well as all filters. I was told this is 'normal' for the car. I do not think however that this is a typical behavior for new vehicles. I have also had a problem for the past 1500 or so miles with my breaks squeaking. …
2 months ago approx. I purchased a mitsubshi evolution viii. Recently the clutch failed causing great inconvenience and possible safety risk. The vehicle left me stranded on the highway at night. The clutch failed quickly and without warning. It was not possible to take the vehicle out of gear, which is very dangerous. After brief research I found that many customers are having the same problems, as high as 35 percent. Eventually this will cause an injury. The dealer would not repair the vehicle and had no help for me, aside from the free tow. The cost of repair was only 550.00 from an independent service facility. Mitsubshi informed me that this repair was not acceptable and would void the drivetrain warranty. The dealers quote was 950.00. Thank you for your time and consideration. …
I recently purchased a evo8 in December, there was 339 miles on it when I bought it. It was the last of 2003s. At around 2500 miles the clutch started slipping, took it into the service dept. At huggin's mitsu. It told the representative what was happening and that it could be coincidense but I had got gas the day before the car started to run poorly. He assured me that was my problem, he wouldn't even go look at the car when I asked. So over the weekend the problem worsened, was back at service moday morning. At this point I began dealing with the service manager who told me " well you spent 35,000 get ready to spend two grand more." also after going through distict and regional supervisors warranty denied. So now im working on arbitration. To clear one thing up, I babied my car. I am rather young so for me to own to a nice car I took every precaution. …
I have two issues which seem to have both already been reported. 1. While driving the transmission will idle high while driving, but the vehicle is not speeding up. Then without warning the transmission catches, and the car lurches forward. This is a random issue that happens daily with the vehicle. Servicing the transmission has not fixed the problem and continues to be a problem to this day. 2.the heater/ac control know became very difficulty to change between heater and A/C. The switch has finally broke off, and now I'm unable to switch between heater and A/C. I have done research and this also seems to be a problem that has not been resolved. I have found most other auto owners have paid for the replacement, but only to have the same problem occur again. …
When driving my vehicle the transmission does not shift gears properly. Normal operation of the vehicle leads to slipping transitions from gear to gear making it difficult to maintain/reach/sustain speed. This occurs in both highway and city environments. I have had the car serviced according to manufacturer's recommendations of every 3000 miles. I have about 40000 miles on the vehicle at this point. It started doing this at about 6000 miles. I have had the vehicle checked multiple times. When taken to the dealership they informed me nothing was wrong. I have changed the transmission fluid as well as all filters. I was told this is 'normal' for the car. I do not think however that this is a typical behavior for new vehicles.
Ever since I bought my car I've been having trouble with it, the check engine light stays on, at first the dealership I bought it from, rockland Mitsubishi in ny, said it was just a sensor in my gas tank, but after fixing it, it kept coming back on. Finally they told me it was my fault, I had to turn my car off completely before pumping my gas, close my tank tightly, then start my car back up. This back and forth continued until my normal warranty ran out. At 70K miles, my transmission started skipping, and my engine began puttering. Finally took it to Mitsubishi again, they said they took care of it. At 80K now, my transmission as completely died, I took it to aamco and they say I need a completely new transmission.
Transmission complaints in other Lancer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer?
NHTSA has 51 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer, 26% of the model year's 199 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer, 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 11,000 miles, and 61% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.