NHTSA — Power Train: Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) Problems

6.6

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
10,464 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Owner Comments

problem #8

Sep 062007

Lancer Evolution 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I launched my car from about 5500rpm. I previously had a new exedy clutch and flywheel installed about 2 months earlier. The car jumped but wouldn't go anywhere after I let the clutch out. I thought maybe first gear was gone but when I tried all the other gears it seemed as if the car was in neutral. I had the car taken to a local performance shop and they diagnosed the problem as being my transfer case. The total cost for the new oem transfer case with front differential and labor to put it in was around 3400. Mitsubishi needs to act on this problem because I have read many complaints about it and have heard many stories from evo owners about their transfer case issues.

- Shady Side, MD, USA

problem #7

Mar 072006

Lancer Evolution 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 33,000 miles
I am currently on the 5th transfer case for my 03 Mitsubishi Lancer evolution 8. I had 2 go out under warranty, another rebuilt and now I am on my last one. The first went at ~33K, replaced and broken within a month regular highway driving.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #6

Dec 082006

Lancer Evolution 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 13,506 miles
While traveling 65 mph my transfer case on my 2003 Mitsubishi evolution unexplainable began to make a loud whining noise, although only having roughly 13,500 miles. As I pulled the car over I could here that there was a metallic clicking sound coming from the transfer case also. To correct this the transfer case will need to be completely replaced.

- Brick, NJ, USA

problem #5

Dec 062006

Lancer Evolution 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 8,057 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

After only 8057 miles on my 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer evolution, my transfer case started to whine quite badly. After reading some tech articles, I found that this is not an uncommon failure. I also know that Mitsubishi has had transfer case recalls in the past due to their poor rear seal design. The recalls were based off of lawsuits and deaths to individuals driving their vehicle at highway speeds when all four wheels have locked on them causing catastrophic loss of vehicle control. Based on Mitsubishi's track record, and their knowledge of life threatening conditions under transfer case failure, it is a negligent act for them to overlook this problem. A recall is necessary for public safety!

- King Of Prussia, PA, USA

problem #4

Aug 142005

Lancer Evolution 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
03 evo heard grinding noises in my tranny or transfer case area @ 15K miles.. took to dealer and they told me they won't check it if its not broken..they did replace a drive shaft but noise was still there.. my clutch is now slipping @ 24K..

- Kansas City, MO, USA

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problem #3

Oct 272004

Lancer Evolution 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 19,050 miles
I have a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer evolution. At 19,000 miles the car developed a very loud sound coming from the front of the car at speeds above 30mph. I work at a auto repair shop and concluded that the sound is coming from the transfer ase/front differential. More than likely from ring gear being improperly shimmed from the factory. If the problem is not resolved with the transfercase/front differential, when the problem occurs with other Lancer evolution owners there is a chance that the transfercase/differential could lock up causing a accident or cause more damage to other parts of the drivetrain.

- Hanover, PA, USA

problem #2

Jun 202004

Lancer Evolution 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Loud noises when decelarating, very chattery when driving.

- Monroe Twp, NJ, USA

problem #1

Apr 092004

Lancer Evolution 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 10,100 miles
Extremely loud noises coming from transmission/front transfer case. I know of many others with this issue. Mitsubishi needs to look into this severe defect in the evo viii front transfer case!

- Staten Island, NY, USA

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