2004 Mitsubishi Lancer visibility problems

Filed Feb 17, 2015 · Visibility · 20,000 miles · FL

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 have read on several websites that this incident has happened to a great amount of other mitsubishi lancer owners, with models between 2002-2005 and for the exact knob, the one for the climate control. There are 2 other knobs to control the fan and direction of air that work perfectly and no reports on being stuck or broken on those two. It seems that the temperature control knob is the only one getting stiff and breaking off with time, so it more than likely is a factory defect with the knob or the whole part. I have always been able to stop when raining and so far I have not had any accidents on account of this but I am not sure if other consumers have had the same good luck. Is mitsubishi already taking any action to fix this problem? What can we, as customers, do to get it fixed?

Filed Oct 28, 2014 · Visibility · 145,000 miles · MD

Climate control panel/system got stiff to turn from cold to heat and eventually the knob/stem of climate control panel broke. Now it is impossible to defrost windows which results unsafe driving. I have happened to know from internet that this incident happened to many mitsubishi lancer 2002-2005 customers . Mitsubishi is not taking any action to fix this problem for these customers.

Filed Sep 29, 2014 · Visibility · 70,000 miles · NC

Heat/AC switch stuck.can not get heat or defrost in cold and/or icy conditions, making for very unsafe driving.a tsb has been issued to mitsubishi dealers. Their customer service will not help defray the repair cost claiming vehicle is out of warranty.the safety issue was ignored. I imagine thousands of this model have the same problem. Can you help me get some satisfaction in this matter. Thank you

Filed Dec 4, 2013 · Visibility · TN

The A/C knob in the car broke off toward the end of the summer 2013. It has always been difficult to switch from air conditioner to heat. For a while pliers did the trick. When I got a quote from the dealership to change the knob I was quoted $1800. Now it is winter. It is freezing. I have no heat. I was pulled over by police because of foggy windows. I had no defroster because I can't turn on the heat.

Filed Mar 15, 2013 · Visibility · 170,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mitsubishi lancer. The contact stated that the levers for the climate controls fractured. The contact was unable to defrost his windows when needed. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer. After diagnosis they advised him that the heater climate control levers failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure and current mileages were approximately 170,000.

Filed Jan 23, 2013 · Visibility · 90,000 miles · CT

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.

Filed Sep 11, 2012 · Visibility · 129,000 miles · OH

The air and heat flow knob broke off as I turned it from cold to heat this morning. Now I cant heat up the car it is stuck on cold. Due to this the defrost will not work either. I have no heat in my car as of this morning due to the knob breaking off as I turned it. Part of the white plastic piece that attaches on the inside is now attached to the knob that broke off.

Filed Jan 11, 2012 · Visibility · TX

The AC/heater controls on the dash, the knob was very hard to turn to change the air from hot to cold. The knob has now broken off. I am finding this is a common issue and a very expensive fix. We took the car to service center and they will adjust the lever as the seasons change.

Filed Jan 6, 2012 · Visibility · GA

Yes we have a 2004 mitsibishi lancer. The heater knob will not turn and it eventually broke trying to turn. Just looking over the internet there are a number of cars with the same problem. I need to know how to fix this and from what I can tell this is a continually problem. Here is 20 degrees and we have not heater due to this defect. From what I am being told it will take $800 to fix this problem. I bought this care to have minimum problems. Please help.

Filed Nov 15, 2010 · Visibility · 100,000 miles · AZ

The temperature selection knob gets stuck in the 'cold' position. The problem lies in the air box inside of the dash where the air blender door is stuck. It makes it dangerous when heat is needed to defrost the front window to see. It is always like this and has been for 2 years.