AC & Heater complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (air conditioning, heater, defroster, HVAC controls).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
This is with reference to the climate control panel, the knob to turn system temperature from cold to heat, with time the knob got stiff and it was very hard to turn from cold to heat, for years I have had to play with it every time I needed to use it to switch to the temperature I desired according to the weather, especially in the rain and when going from summer to winter. Finally the knob broke off and now I am no longer able to turn it making it "impossible" to defrost the windows, especially when it rains and they get foggy from the humidity or early in the morning during the cold winter months which results in unsafe driving as it impairs my vision to the point that I need to roll down my windows while I am driving which is quite dangerous. Only the rear window defrost works because it is controlled by a different knob. …
I own a 2004 Mitsubishi lance ralliart sedan. The air control switch (knob used to adjust the temperature) began sticking/catching about in about 2006 (my car was already out of the warranty time frame due to mileage). The switch then broke completely off in 2008. To fix the problem the dealership needs to replace the entire heating control unit, modify (cut) the damper, and install a new lever which costs over $1600. I found that this same heater control unit has been used since 2002 in lancers, galants, endeavors, and other models - all having the same issue - it eventually fails and the owner is stuck paying more than $1600 to fix what should have been repaired in latter models or simply fixed with a new switch.
This is a health issue for us because my husband has ms and is sensitive to heat especially, but also can be sensitive to cold. The heater knob on my vehicle broke. It had been sticking for a while. I had to turn the knob pretty hard to push from cold to hot or hot to cold. In researching a way to fix it I was appalled by the number of people that had the same problem with the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer but no recall has been initiated by Mitsubishi. At this point we just need to replace one small shaft for the knob to slip onto, but the dealership claims we have to buy the whole unit - $215 plus shipping and labor. With my husband having ms, we are always paying medical bills. We went to a salvage yard and the heater assembly was missing from the only Lancer on the lot and according to one person every Lancer he saw come through had the left knob broken off the heater temp controller. …
The A/C knob on this car has been an ongoing problem and has now broke off. It has always been very stiff when going from A/C to heat and now due to being used with such force repeatedly it has broke off, the vent selector has never been an issue its smooth and transitions easily after all these features are supposed to make the vehicle more comfortable and safe and warm on cold nights... I just went to a site where at least 150 people complained of the same problem. The part is over 200$ from a dealer and the dealer charges over 700-800$ to replace the part(talk about a racket) and yet with soooo many complaints I feel bad for people with serious health problems that are stuck in this vehicle driving under miserable and yes unsafe conditions especially for those who can't defrost their windshield or people who have a hard time maintaining body temperature... …
I went into a ditch (was run off the road) passenger door hit a pole, air bag did not deploy and passenger fractured her collar bone. This happened in 2005. Also the blow motor has rusted and needs to be replaced, I found out through the internet that water flows into the motor through the wipers. It cost over $400. To replace the motor.
I own a 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer (oz rally) that was purchased in 2002. During the last few months of 2009, I noticed my temperature control knob was becoming harder and harder to turn. On Monday, March 1, 2010 it broke completely off, leaving a partial stub of plastic in the console and the remaining plastic inside the knob. I first went to two auto parts stores to see if they carried this replacement piece, and their personnel informed me I needed to have it repaired a Mitsubishi dealership. I then went to the Mitsubishi dealership to inquire about the problem. They informed me the part could not be replaced individually, but it would cost $311 to replace the entire console in addition to the $150 or more in labor costs. I refused to pay such an outlandish price, considering that my console was in perfectly working order. I only need the broken plastic mechanism replaced, nothing more. …
Related recalls (1)
Visibility › Defroster/defogger/HVAC system › Fan/motor
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Lancer vehicles manufactured March 16, 2009, to March 30, 2011, 2010-2011 Lancer Sportback vehicles manufactured June 17, 2009, to December 1, 2010, 2010-2011 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured July 14, 2009, to January 7, 2011,…
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace a suspect blower motor, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mitsubishi Lancer years have ac & heater problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (44), 2002 (17) and 2004 (14) model years. AC & Heater complaints make up 22% of all complaints for the 2003.
Is there a recall for Mitsubishi Lancer ac & heater problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 15V-233 (fan/motor, Apr 20, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mitsubishi Lancer ac & heater problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles; 24% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the defroster/defogger/hvac system (48 mentions), followed by the defroster/defogger/hvac system › windshield › electrical heating element (21).
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.