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2004 Mitsubishi Lancer: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer, most recently filed April 2018. Owners have filed 83 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls 4campaigns 2 air bag · 1 suspension · 1 equipment Source: NHTSA Complaints 83filed Owner reports, 1996–2009 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Fuel economy 27mpg combined $2,419/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 2 L 4-cyl· 5-speed manual 5 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
Compare

Recalls (4)

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 18V220000 Filed Apr 5, 2018

Passenger Side Front Air Bag Inflator may Explode

Air bags · frontal · passenger side · inflator module
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles that previously received a like-for-like passenger side frontal air bag inflator under recall 15V321 as interim remedy. Also recalled are 2004-2006 Lancer vehicles located in Guam or Saipan that previously received or never received a new inflator under 15V321 or 17V569. These passenger side frontal air bag inflators may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to explode in the event of an air bag deployment.
Consequence
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will install a final replacement passenger side frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on April 26, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-005.
41.3% repairedof 17,120 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 18V220000
Listed for 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 17V569000 Filed Sep 14, 2017

Passenger Side Front Air Bag Inflator may Rupture

Air bags · frontal · passenger side · inflator module
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Lancer and Lancer Evolution vehicles and 2004 Lancer Sportback vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with a different inflator, free of charge. The recall began on October 12, 2017. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-17-001. Note: This recall supersedes recall 15V-321.
18.5% repairedof 66,001 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 17V569000
Listed for 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V458000 Filed Jun 23, 2016

Lower Control Arm Detachment Due to Corrosion

Suspension · front · control arm · lower arm
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
18.2% repairedof 194,674 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V458000
Listed for 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 04V428000 Filed Sep 1, 2004

MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN/FMVSS 208/AIR BAG LABEL

Equipment · other · labels
Official NHTSA text
Summary
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Consequence
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy
MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.
Repair progress not yet reported100,432 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 04V428000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which Lancer years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Mitsubishi LancerAll model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (83)

83 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The air bags is mentioned most often.

7involved a crash
3involved a fire
4injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 83.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2004 compares with other Lancer years

Best and worst Lancer years →
1 1 148 199 83 24 37 2 91 98
1996200020022003200420052006200720082009
This year (2004)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 27 mpg combined

27
mpg combined
24
city
32
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,500
CO₂ tailpipe
329 g/mi
EPA class
Compact Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,419per year
$202per month
556gallons a year

Miles ÷ 27 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2004 Mitsubishi Lancer configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive24 / 32 / 27$2,500329
2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive22 / 28 / 24$2,800370
2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive20 / 27 / 23$2,900386
2.4 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive20 / 26 / 22$3,050404
2.4 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive20 / 26 / 22$3,050404

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2004 Lancer for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Lancer years

Where to next

Which Lancer years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →2005 Mitsubishi Lancer report24 complaints · 3 campaigns →2003 Mitsubishi Lancer report199 complaints · 2 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

2004 Mitsubishi Lancer FAQ

How many recalls does the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer have?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 18V220000 (air bag), 17V569000 (air bag), 16V458000 (suspension), 04V428000 (equipment). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer problems?

Owners filed 83 complaints with NHTSA. Air bags (21), Visibility (21), Suspension (8) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer get?

EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 24 city, 32 highway and 27 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2004 Lancer compare with other years?

Among the 1996–2009 Mitsubishi Lancer model years at least five years old, the 1996 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2003 the most (199). The 2004 drew 83. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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