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2003 Mitsubishi Lancer suspension problems

10 complaints (5% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 137,000.

owner complaints
10
of this car's complaints
5%
typical mileage
137,000
crashes
0
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Rear
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Mitsubishi Lancer suspension problems in other years

200220032004200520062008200920102011201220142015

Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer suspension

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Ball joint 9

Related recalls

Suspension: front: control arm: lower armReported June 23, 2016 · 194,674 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2002-2007 Lancer, 2004 Lancer Wagon, 2003-2006 Lancer Evolution, 2003-2006 Outlander and 2007-2013 Outlander V-6 vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
Risk
A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied or the front cross member will be replaced with a new one that has a sealing/anti-corrosion agent applied to it. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1‑888‑648‑7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-003.

Recall number 16V458000 · Recall details

What 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 16, 2021 · Suspension · WI

The faulty control arm issue was repaired in 2017. When I went in for a front end alignment on 9/14/2021 they noticed that the control arms were rusting through. I live in Wisconsin and noticed that there is a recall on 2007 lancers for a similar problem where the control arms were not replaced with zinc coated control arms for protection from anti icing agents used on the roads. Does this recall extend to the 2003 lancers.09/14/

Filed Oct 3, 2018 · Suspension · 88,999 miles · IN

Upper/lower control arms, and front the whole front supension system is making a lot of creaking and sounds like it will break when driving.

Filed Jun 7, 2018 · Suspension · 247,000 miles · NJ

Noticed suspension noise when going over speed bumps or potholes. Sounds coming from the driver side lower control arm.

Filed Dec 9, 2017 · Body, Suspension · WV

Takata recall. On front driver side the control arm/subframe is rusted/rusting out really bad. There is a whole the size of a fist where the control arm attaches to the frame.

Filed Dec 1, 2016 · Suspension · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi lancer. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v458000 (suspension). The part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Updated 01/25/2017*ct updated 7/12/18

Filed Nov 28, 2016 · Suspension · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi lancer. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v458000 (suspension); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Sep 12, 2016 · Suspension · 193,200 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi lancer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH and while making a right turn, the driver side tie rod suddenly fractured rendering the vehicle not drivable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 193,200.

Filed Dec 2, 2014 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 137,000 miles · CA

Airbag horn doesn't work I changed the clock spring but still doesn't work, suspension is terrible I fell like I am going to crash. The heater also doesn't work and the control knob is not working.

Filed Feb 17, 2006 · Suspension · 45,000 miles · OH

My 2003 mitsubisihi lancer oz is experiencing some type of problem with the rear suspension. We've had the car for 3 years and it has 45,000 miles, and we've driven in very gently. Most of the 45k are highway miles from commuting to work. There is a horrible squeaking noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. There is no reason this vehicle should have any problem with the rear suspension, yet it does, and we're no longer covered by the warranty so we have to pay $75 to even get it looked at.

Filed Aug 20, 2004 · Suspension · 20,000 miles · NY

While driving at 60 MPH vehicle pulled to the right. Vehicle was taken to the dealer who inspected it several times but could not reproduce or correct the problem. *ak

Questions about the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer suspension

Does the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer have suspension problems?

Owners have filed 10 complaints about the suspension of the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer, 5% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer suspension problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 137,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer suspension?

Yes, 1 recall: 16V458000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Mitsubishi Lancer have bad suspension?

The Mitsubishi Lancer model years with the most suspension complaints are 2008 (23 complaints), 2002 (15 complaints) and 2003 (10 complaints).

Other 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer problems

Visibility 76Transmission 51Body 13Electrical 12Airbags 8Acceleration 7Engine 7Brakes 6Steering 6Seat belts 4Driver assistance 2Fuel system 2Lights 2Tires 2

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