Window & Wiper complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 17% | — |
| 2016 | 1 | 3% | 36,000 miles |
| 2015 | 2 | 9% | 5,000 miles |
| 2012 | 2 | 11% | 29,000 miles |
| 2011 | 2 | 6% | 62,000 miles |
| 2010 | 6 | 12% | 160,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% | 135,000 miles |
| 2008 | 2 | 2% | 183,000 miles |
| 2006 | 2 | 5% | 143,000 miles |
| 2005 | 1 | 4% | 9,000 miles |
| 2004 | 9 | 11% | 75,000 miles |
| 2003 | 35 | 18% | 75,000 miles |
| 2002 | 12 | 8% | 91,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer. While driving various speeds, the windshield wipers failed to operate without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred several times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.
After about 6 weeks use, sun visors in my new 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer malfunction during use, drifting downward obstructing forward vision. Visors were replaced at dealer. After 4 to 6 weeks, again the new visors drift downward when in use, obstructing vision. When driving toward the sun, driver must have one hand holding the visor in position and other hand on steering wheel - dangerous to shift gears or use turn signals. At this point Mitsubishi seems uninterested in fixing the problem.
The knob to adjust my heating and cooling broke off. Now I am stuck with freezing cold air blowing all year round. This effects my visibility at times because I can not use defroster. I was told to replace the unit would be $300+ labor. Seeing as though they have to take the whole dash apart to fix, it is quite expensive. I have read online many other people are having this same issue. I think if Mitsubishi gave us a bogus part that is guaranteed to break, they should have to replace/recall it.
The control for the heater/ac is hard to turn. Has been since purchase of vehicle eventually broke and now have no defrosters to keep windows defrosted during winter months. Very expensive to fix. Affects visibility and safety. Mitsubishi is well aware of this defect. When talked with dealer, he knew the problem and price of repair, without seeing the vehicle. Many consumers online have had the same problem with Mitsubishi since 2002. Does someone have to die to have this recalled.
The temperature control knob broke off. Vehicle was stationary. The arm inside can be turned with a needle nose pliers, but only towards the cold/ac side. It stops when turned towards the heat side and will not go- feels as though it could break if it was forced. This is extremely concerning as it is about to be winter in minnesota and with no heat, there is no defroster for windshield or rear window. I am very worried. Upon further investigation online with other owners of the 2003 Lancer, I found out there are many other people with the same issue and I am lead to believe it is a problem with Mitsubishi's design that should have been recalled. If I do not have a defroster I am in danger and I am very worried. It is also a safety issue in this state to not have heat. Temperatures drop below -10f degrees every year and often as low as -30f. …
The temperature knob broke easily because it was hard to turn making the defroster impossible to use which is a safety hazard. Furthermore the cruise control was always faulty to begin with but now it isn't even usable. Automatic transmission also loves to lurch into 3rd gear while slowing down at the same time and then jumping back into the speed I was previously going. This issue usually happens at speeds lower than 50 MPH.
The contact's daughter owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, she felt an air draft inside of the vehicle. The contact's daughter attempted to close the sunroof when she noticed that the sunroof had detached from the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the sunroof part was no longer manufactured and they were unable to get the part to perform the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 221,660.
The HVAC control unit in my 02 Mitsubishi Lancer has a mechanical flaw starting with the heat /ac knobs. The vacuum line behind the knob is too weak to activate the heater core lever and defrost controls making it very difficult to see when driving. The system as a whole needs to be replaced by Mitsubishi as I have read there are a lot of complaints in forums around the web.the defrost on the front windshield doesn't work because of these controls and visibility is really poor during fall and winter months and this is something I cant fix myself and I am posting to help other Lancer drivers as well as it is a persistent underlying problem.
Related recalls (1)
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Outlander, 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Evolution, and 2010 Lancer Sportback vehicles equipped with sunroofs. The sunroof glass may detach from the sunroof assembly, becoming a road hazard to other vehicles.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sunroof glass assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mitsubishi Lancer years have window & wiper problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (35), 2002 (12), 2004 (9) and 2010 (6) model years. Window & Wiper complaints make up 18% of all complaints for the 2003.
Is there a recall for Mitsubishi Lancer window & wiper problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 18V-071 (sun/moon roof assembly, Jan 26, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mitsubishi Lancer window & wiper problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles; 23% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the sun/moon roof assembly (3 mentions), followed by the windshield (1).
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.