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2003 Mitsubishi Lancer transmission complaints

Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 51, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer transmission problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Mar 1, 2006 · Body, Transmission · OH

Car had manual transmission problems roughly at 30k, transmission problems again, needed to be replaced, not covered under warranty. Car is rusting on frame, on exterior, carpet inside is paper thin, road salt had eaten through it - already have visible rust on wheel well. This car is pathetic, wouldn't give this make to my worse enemy. I will be making another phone call to mitsubishi motors. Definitely a lemon in every sense of the word.

Filed Dec 30, 2005 · Transmission · 77,000 miles · OR

Ever since I bought my car 2 years ago it has sputtered and jerked but at first not that bad. The last year has been the worst. It stays revved up and then it will kick into gear. Finally christmas eve it broke down. The mechanic told me it is a hair line crack about 2 inches long on the transmission housing. Sure enough there is and I have a dead car.

Filed Oct 31, 2005 · Transmission · 61,603 miles · IL

Automatic transmission slips/skips while speeding up around twenty five miles per hour, and this occurs when breaking quickly. When breaking quickly, car will then jump forward when the transmission catches. I believe this has always slightly been there, but I believe my slow driving has masked the issue. I had the transmission fluid changed and then the dealer did two recall changes, and after the skipping issues was very much there. After reading the other complaints, I am sure this is the tip of the iceberg. Prd.

Filed Sep 24, 2005 · Transmission · 24,000 miles · GA

A few weeks ago my vehicle become very tough to shift out of park when parked on any incline or, uneven surface. Once the gear selector wouldn't even move and three people had to stand behind the car and push it forward to allow me to shift out of park. I've taken it to city mitsubishi in jacksonville fl. And they have informed me that the best thing to do is stop, put it in neutral, set the e-brake, then put it in park. I feel this is un-necessary considering it only has 25,000 miles, I'm the original owner, it's under factory warranty, and it wasn't doing this 1000 miles ago. I have left it there and will be contacting mitsubishi motors on monday to see what my next course of action is.

Filed Apr 20, 2005 · Transmission · 4,000 miles · KY

The vehicle sticks in third gear. The consumer has located similar complaints on the internet.

Filed Apr 18, 2005 · Transmission · 25,000 miles · IL

The transmission is skipping. The car would drive by itself without me accelerating, the rpms would be at 3-4 x1000 rpms while the car is stopped at a red light or something else worse.

Filed Apr 7, 2005 · Transmission · CA

The driver noticed that the clutch will not disengage.

Filed Mar 31, 2005 · Transmission · 59,840 miles · CA

Loss of clutch operation while at red stop light, clutch pedal depressed, car in first gear, foot slightly on brake. Clutch pedal started feeling soft, then without clutch pedal movement, clutch engaged. Later that day, I find "oil" under my car. Took to dealership and reported problem, and was advised that slave cylinder was leaking.

Filed Mar 19, 2005 · Transmission · 37,116 miles · CO

Car was driving fine. Then started acting funny shifting. Kept getting worse so took it to the dealer. The car had 37000 miles on it and the warrenty ran out at 35000. Ended up being the slave cylinder. The dealer wanted $1200. Took it to a local shop but still cost $38.10.

Filed Mar 15, 2005 · Brakes, Transmission · IL

Mitsubishi lancer 2003, defective transmission and brakes. *bf the consumer stated the transmission slipped at every speed and no one would admit there was a problem. The brakes would fade and vibrate making it difficult to stop.

Filed Feb 13, 2005 · Transmission · 79,520 miles · NY

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.

Filed Feb 12, 2005 · Transmission · 11,000 miles · IL

Upon driving my 2003 lancer, I've noticed that periodically the transmission will skip and the car will do a jerk. It alarmed me because at that time the car had only about 11,000 miles on it. I am concerned because I haven't even had the car a year, and I thought I was getting a quality vehicle. As I looked on the complaint board I realized im not the only one with this issue. Is mitsubishi aware of this problem? And if so, what are they going to do about all of these cars? If anyone is having the same issues please contact danielle@847)619-5879.

Filed Dec 26, 2004 · Transmission · 10,224 miles · CA · crash · 3 injuries

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.

Filed Nov 4, 2004 · Transmission · 35,000 miles · OH

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.

Filed Jun 11, 2004 · Transmission · 6,500 miles · MA

I have owned the car for 4 months and have about 6500 miles on the odomoter. The clutch has started slipping when the turbo kicks in. The problem is getting progressively worse. I have notified my local dealer who acknologes the car needs a clutch, but claims this is a wear item and isn't covered under warranty. They also implied driver abuse. This car is my daily driver, I do not race it or drive it above its intended use. I have even offered to supply a quality aftermarket clutch and have the dealer simply provide the labor, they were not agreeable to this at this point.

Filed Jun 10, 2004 · Brakes, Transmission · 1,500 miles · FL

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. When I try to stop or pull out from a parking space they have a squealing sound. I have also had this evaluated at the mitsubishi repair shop and was informed they are fine.

Filed May 11, 2004 · Transmission · FL

While shifting vehicle jerked and shook uncontrollably. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection, but mechanic was unable to duplicate the problem.

Filed Mar 23, 2004 · Transmission · 2,500 miles · FL

The transmission in my 2003 evolution is sometimes very rough going into second gear. The tranny feels as if the gears are grinding for a second before engaging; I have brought this up to the attention of mitusbishi corporate and several service depts and they do not appear to be concerend. This is an issue that a lot of evolution owners are experiencing.

Filed Mar 14, 2004 · Transmission · 2,500 miles · NJ

Mitsubishi corp. Problem with transfer cases with their evolution lancer viii....lso piss poor management trying to shift blame on consumer. Had transfer case fail at 2500 miles and was given a hard time about it. Also forced to rent a car because they would not supply one.

Filed Feb 27, 2004 · Transmission · NY

While driving consumer smelled a burning odor coming from the vents. Vehicle stalled. Consumer had vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined transmission needed to be replaced.

Filed Feb 26, 2004 · Transmission · 7,000 miles · NY

Clutch failure at 7,000 miles. Dealer won't pay for repair, I had to pay $1350.00 plus $350 rental car. Car was not abused , raced or modified. I have read many complaints on various websites that people have submitted.

Filed Feb 25, 2004 · Transmission · 2,500 miles · TX

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 know I'm not alone in this fight, so we should all join and speak under one unanimous voice.

Filed Feb 17, 2004 · Transmission · IL

I have a mitsubishi lancer evolution 8, purchased in may 2003. I have 12000 miles on the car and I am now getting slippage when accelerating the car. I did not abuse this car, I did not race this car in any way. It is a daily driven car for approx 10 miles a day. I called the dealership and they told me the clutch was warranted for 1000 miles and no more. I talked to an employee at the dealership who told me that there are a lot of owners coming forward with clutch issues, and mitsubishi was not servicing any of them. I am displeased that the clutch would go out at 12,000 miles under daily driving.

Filed Jan 27, 2004 · Transmission · 12,000 miles · AZ

Clutch starting slipping at 10000 miles, car is not modified or abused in any way. Way to early for a vehicle to have such major problems. Waiting to see what service will do.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Transmission · 9,500 miles · WA

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. Meanwhile, I spoke with an independent mechanic who worked for mitsubishi, who said that if the body valve failed, there is probably internal damage to the transmission and that talking on the phone and ordering parts is not fixing the cause of the problem--also that the transmission and computer have to be in sync, and a damaged transmission could affect the computer of the car. So we have techs talking back and forth on the phone, a dealership service dept that does not have the answers talking to a tech hundreds of miles away, and neither party has seen the inside of the transmission....I feel like I have a defective car and am running to the shop which is just putting bandaids on the problem.

Filed Jan 12, 2004 · Transmission · 30,000 miles · CA

While driving transmission slipped gears. This caused a distraction to the consumer. Dealership's mechanic was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

Filed Jan 8, 2004 · Transmission · 4,229 miles · CA

At 1000 miles the clutch in my 03 lancer evo began to slip occasionally. I brought this to the attention of the mitsubishi service department and they explained that they could not help me unless the problem could be recreated. At 3000 miles the transmission began to grind into 5th gear occasionally. Again I was told not to bring it in until it could be recreated. At 4000 miles I was able to recreate the condition. Mitsubishi agreed to repairing the transmission under the terms of the warranty. A convenience inspection of the clutch was also performed at this time. The initial response from mitsubishi was that they were not going to repair the clutch even though it showed signs of slippage, and they attributed it to abuse. The claim was unfounded and eventually reversed by the district parts representative for mitsubishi and the repairs were covered under warranty. My concern is that without my diligence my claim would not have been resolved and more importantly had I not convinced them to perform the inspection the inevitable failure of the clutch may have manifested itself in such a manner to cause a serious accident. The failure rates for the drivetrain of this vehicle seem very suspect to me and may warrant an independent investigation into the reliability of those components. These items should not fail so early in their service life or with such frequency unless there was a mechanical defect that required a recall. I am also suspicious that the service departments seem to have received instructions to dismiss claims regarding warranty drivetrain repairs. I was warned numerous times throughout the service that if any sign of abuse was present my warranty would be voided and all the charges associated with the inspection and repair would be my responsibility. This felt more like a tactic to deter or scare me into continuing to drive a vehicle that was potentially dangerous.

Filed Jan 2, 2004 · Transmission · 18,000 miles · TX

Vehicle was experiencing a spontaneous a lack of acceleration while inadvertently losing power. There was a serious clutch problem. Manufacturer denied that there was any problem.

Filed Dec 30, 2003 · Transmission · 4,000 miles · WA

Mitsubishi lancer evolution clutch has been making loud squeeling noises since 4000 miles. It now has 8300 miles on it and is getting worse. The other day I went to start the vehicle, (clutch fully depressed and in 1st gear) and the car lurched forward about 6 inches before the clutch disengaged!

Filed Dec 29, 2003 · Transmission · CA

In august, 2003, my 2003 mitsubishi lancer evolution viii clutch failed with only 5000 miles on it. Dealer denied warranty coverage as "wear item". Arbitration failed to produce a favorable result, although service writer stated "it does not look like abuse" and afadavit from ase master mechanic stated that there appeared to be no abuse involved.

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