The front subframe on the drivers side of the vehicle broke while maneuvering a right turn at a safe speed. This incident caused additional damage to the vehicle, with noticeable damage to the quarter panel. Additional damage is expected and may include the tie rod, wheel bearing, struts, sway bar link, etc. The driver and passenger were put at risk due to the severity of the break and the inability to move the vehicle. The speed of the vehicle may have prevented further risk to the driver and passenger at the time of the incident. The issue with the subframe was confirmed by an independent service center due to the lack of a Mitsubishi dealer is proximity. However, a Mitsubishi dealer was contacted but no response was received. It is believed that this issue is associated with the discovered Unrepaired Recalls associated with this VIN. A police officer arrived at the incident and a tow truck was ordered by the officer due to the danger of remaining in the location of the incident. The issue with the subframe first appeared on Sunday, May 31st 2026 with a noise produced by the vehicle while driving on unsmooth roads and through turns. The vehicle was inspected by an independent service center on Thursday, June 4th 2026 and significant erosion was discovered on the front subframe. A Mitsubishi dealer was contacted on Friday, June 5th 2026 and a voicemail was left. No contact was received. The incident occurred on Saturday, June 6th 2026. The vehicle and associated parts are available for inspection upon request.
2003 Mitsubishi Lancer: ball joint or control arm failure
9 of the 199 complaints about the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer describe ball joint or control arm failure.
- owner complaints
- 9
- of this car's complaints
- 5%
- typical mileage
- 100,000
- recalls
- 1
Ball joint or control arm failure by model year
What owners say
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/
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.
Noticed suspension noise when going over speed bumps or potholes. Sounds coming from the driver side lower control arm.
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.
The lower control arm became detached resulting in the inability to deive the car! I contacted the dealerships and they have basically been incorporated to helping fix the recall!!!! I do notbdrive the car because I loose control of it
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.
2003 mitsubishi lancer. Axle bearing failed on passenger side. I replaced it. Inner tie rod tore out of outer tie rod. I replaced them. For safety reasons I decided to replace the correspond drivers side parts. When I started to remove the hub assembly the drive axle fell from the car in three pieces. No local or national chain could locate the axle which they all said cost about $75.00.mitsubishi told me it would be $753.00. While I agree that I have no choice but to replace the failed part, I also feel a file should be opened since this represents a safety issue.
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. 30, 2005 for a recall on car,something to do with the emissions and again complained about transmission, was told again, nothing to worry about. Now my car is making a whining noise, took the car to a goodyear service center and was told my transmission was the problem and needs repair, my car has approx 43000 miles on it. The dealer never put on my service tickets to look at transmission, just to check over vehicle. I feel they were trying to put me off till my car went out of warranty. My powertrain is now still under warranty but the rest is not. I am very upset.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm
- 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
Questions about the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer ball joint
Is ball joint or control arm failure a common problem on the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer?
9 of 199 owner complaints about the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer (5%) mention ball joint or control arm failure. The model year with the most reports is 2003.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer?
There is 1 recall and 1 service bulletin for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer
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