5.0

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
19,899 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 clutch problems

clutch problem

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2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Owner Comments

problem #17

Jan 052011

Lancer 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 68,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer oz rally(na). The contact noticed that the clutch slave cylinder was leaking fluid; the following day the clutch petal was no longer operable. The dealer or manufacturer had not been notified nor was the vehicle repaired or diagnosed. The current and failure mileages were approximately 68,000. Updated 04/12/11

- Lenoir, NC, USA

problem #16

Sep 262007

Lancer 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles
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.Mitsubishi told me it would be $753. 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.

- Hamburg, NY, USA

problem #15

Apr 072005

Lancer 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The driver noticed that the clutch will not disengage.

- Santa Paula, CA, USA

problem #14

Mar 252005

Lancer 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 59,840 miles

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

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.

- Santa Paula, CA, USA

problem #13

Feb 282005

Lancer 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 37,116 miles
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.

- Lakewood, CO, USA

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problem #12

Jun 102004

Lancer 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 6,500 miles
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.

- Chicopee, MA, USA

problem #11

Feb 122004

Lancer

  • Manual transmission
  • 7,000 miles

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

Clutch failure at 7,000 miles. Dealer won't pay for repair, I had to pay $1350 plus $350 rental car. Car was not abused, raced or modified. I have read many complaints on various websites that people have submitted.

- Port Chester, NY, USA

problem #10

Feb 102004

Lancer

  • miles
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.

- Lombard, IL, USA

problem #9

Jan 122004

Lancer 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 12,000 miles
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.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #8

Dec 162003

Lancer 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 4,229 miles
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.

- Antelope, CA, USA

problem #7

Dec 202003

Lancer 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 4,000 miles

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

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!

- Tacoma, WA, USA

problem #6

Aug 012003

Lancer

  • miles
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.

- Castro Valley, CA, USA

problem #5

Oct 212003

Lancer 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 10,399 miles
Clutch failed at 10K000 miles. Car was never raced or abused. Cost of repair $1600.ot covered under new car warrenty even though it is listed as a coverable item in the warrenty book. Dealer denied any problem upon initial inspection. Car was driven an approx 300 miles B4 problem became unbearable and dealer agreed that there was an actual problem.

- Owings Mills, MD, USA

problem #4

Sep 202003

Lancer 4WD 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 3,600 miles
When my Mitsubishi evolution viii had 3,600 miles on it, the clutch began slipping -- this occurred while driving 45 miles per hour in traffic. I was able to drive to dealer. The dealer said the clutch was a "wear item, " and refused to replace it.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #3

Sep 102003

Lancer 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 8,500 miles
The clutch failed in the first 8500 miles of operation. The failure was sudden and occurred while trying to pass on a 2 lane road. While driving 55 mph, the car failed to accelerate.

- Delaware, OH, USA

problem #2

Sep 032003

Lancer 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 8,600 miles
2 months ago approx. I purchased a mitsubshi evolution viii. Recently the clutch failed causing great inconvenience and possible safety risk. The vehicle left me stranded on the highway at night. The clutch failed quickly and without warning. It was not possible to take the vehicle out of gear, which is very dangerous. After brief research I found that many customers are having the same problems, as high as 35 percent. Eventually this will cause an injury. The dealer would not repair the vehicle and had no help for me, aside from the free tow. The cost of repair was only $550 from an independent service facility. Mitsubshi informed me that this repair was not acceptable and would void the drivetrain warranty. The dealers quote was $950. Thank you for your time and consideration. I thank a recall may be in order, even if mitsubshi was willing to repair the clutches for free, they do not have an adequate updated repair or part.

- Nottingham, NH, USA

problem #1

Sep 042003

(reported on)

Lancer

  • 8,500 miles
While driving at 55 mph vehicle experienced clutch failure and wouldn't accelerate.

- Delaware, OH, USA

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