2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER Visibility Problems

THE CLIMATE CONTROL KNOB WAS HARD TO TURN AND FINAL BROKE SO I CAN'T USE MY CAR IN THE WINTER BECAUSE I CAN'T TURN IT TO HEAT AND I HAVE 2 YOUNG CHILDREN. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL THIS HAS APPENDED TO THOUSANDS AND ITS A SAFETY HAZARD IN MULTIPLY WAYS. *TR

THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB WAS VERY HARD TO TURN ON THE AC/HEATER MODULE AND EVENTUALLY BROKE OFF. A FAILURE OF THE TEMPERATURE SELECTION COULD RESULT IN INABILITY TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD PROPERLY, RESULTING IN UNSAFE DRIVING ENVIRONMENT. *TR

Mileage: 180,000

THE HOT/COLD SWITCH BROKE OFF. SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO TURN THE SWITCH FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL. BOTH KNOBS ARE DAMAGED AND NOW IM NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF THE AIR NEITHER THE TEMPERATURE. THIS HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURE DEFECT SINCE. DURING MY RESEARCH ONLINE I'VE FOUND MANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS LIKE THIS ONE. MITSUBISHI SHOULD MAKE A RECALL AND FIX IT . *TR

Mileage: 60,000

THE HEAT/AC KNOB ON MY 2003 MITSUBISHI HAS BEEN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THIS IS ESPECIALLY HAZARDOUS WHEN TRYING TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD, UNTIL IT FINALLY BROKE COMPLETELY OFF. NOW I HAVE NO HEAT IN MY VEHICLE AND IT VISUALLY IMPAIRS MY DRIVING WHEN IT IS COLD AND FROSTS UP. I TRIED TO SEARCH FOR PARTS( COMPLETE SWITCH OR SWITCH KNOB SHAFT) THEY'RE NOT AVAILABLE BUT WHOLE UNIT ABOUT $300 + LABOR. ARE THEY(MITSUBISHI) GOING TO ISSUE A RECALL? THE MORE I RESEARCH, THE MORE I FIND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR HUNDREDS OF OTHER MITSUBISHI LANCER OWNERS WITH THIS SAME SITUATION ON THEIR HANDS. THE MORE I RESEARCH, THE MORE I FIND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR OTHERS. *TR

PURCHASED VEHICLE BRAND NEW JULY 2003. HEAT/AC KNOB HAS ALWAYS BEEN DIFFICULT TO TURN. IT IS NOW STUCK ON A/C. I AM LOCATED IN AN AREA THAT ACQUIRES FREEZING TEMPERATURES, AND EVIDENTLY, WILL NEED TO BE ABLE TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. UPON RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I HAVE COME ACROSS THOUSANDS OF MITSUBISHI OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. SINCE MOST OF THE U.S. EXPERIENCES FREEZING TEMPERATURES THIS SHOULD, WITHOUT A DOUBT, BE A RECALL BECAUSE IT IS AFFECTING SO MANY DRIVER'S VISIBILITIES. THE OTHER SAFETY ASPECT TO BE CONSIDERED PERTAINS TO: YOUNG CHILDREN, THE ELDERLY, AND THE ILL. CAR WINDOWS OPEN OR NOT, HOW IS IT SAFE TO HAVE THE YOUNG, ELDERLY, OR ILL IN A CAR OVER 100 DEGREES OR UNDER 32 DEGREES? THIS IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE, IRRESPONSIBLE, AND UNSAFE. PLEASE ADVISE A RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

HEATER CONTROL KNOB CANNOT BE ADJUSTED, IT IS STUCK ON COLD. CENTER SHAFT IS BROKEN FOR THE KNOB. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

THE DEFROST/AIR CONDITIONER/HEAT CONTROL SWITCH HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY FROM DAY ONE. IT IS A FIGHT FOR HOURS TO GET THE CONTROL TO TURN. WAS TOLD IN 2003 THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD WORK ITSELF OUT WITH USE IN DUE TIME, IT NEVER DID. NOW THE SWITCH IS STUCK BETWEEN THE HEAT AND THE AIR CONDITIONING MARK AND I CANNOT GET IT TO TURN TO EITHER. I CALLED THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST AROUND $1,400.00 TO FIX THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT. A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED IN 2005 CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM, BUT, THE DEALER WAS NOT OBLIGATED , ACCORDING TO THEM, TO CHECK EACH CAR IT COVERED FOR THE PROBLEM. I FEEL NHTSA SHOULD HAVE ISSUED A RECALL CONCERNING THIS DEFECT, BECAUSE IF ONE CANNOT USE THEIR DEFROSTER WHILE DRIVING WHEN NEEDED, THEN IT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM IF THEY CANNOT SEE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD! *TR

HEATING CONTROL DOES NOT TURN. PART NUMBER MN185137HC IS BROKEN. I WAS TOLD BY MISTUBISHI DEALER IN SAN JOSE, CA THAT THE PART IS DEFECTIVE AND COMMONLY BREAKS IN LANCERS. HE SAID IT SHOULD BE RECALLED BUT MITSUBISHI HAS NOT DONE SO. ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR WAS $300 FOR A NEW CONTROLLER ASSEMBLY PART, $80 TO FIX AIR VENTS SO THAT DUST DOES NOT SPEW, AND ANOTHER $600 IN LABOR COSTS FOR A TOTAL OF $980. *TR

A/C HEATER NOB BROKE OFF AFTER SWITCHING IT FROM COLD TO HEAT. *TR

TEMPERATURE KNOB WAS ALWAYS DIFFICULT TO TURN, THEN IT BROKE COMPLETELY OFF. NOT A PROBLEM FOR THE SUMMER (IT'S STUCK ON COLD) BUT NEEDS TO BE FIXED FOR THE WINTER SO THAT THE CAR CAN DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. TECHNICIAN SAID IT WOULD BE BETWEEN $1500-2000 TO REPAIR BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE DASHBOARD AND REPLACE THE ENTIRE KNOB PANEL PLUS FIX THE REAL PROBLEM WHICH IS THE "AIR MIX DOOR LEVER". APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR MISTUBISHI OWNERS AND THE COMPANY HAS NOT DONE A RECALL TO FIX IT; THEREFORE OWNERS ARE DROPPING $1000S OF DOLLARS TO GET THEIR CAR OPERATIONAL FOR SEASONAL TEMP CHANGES. ISN'T IT A SAFETY HAZARD IF YOUR DEFROSTER DOES NOT WORK??? *TR

Mileage: 130,000

I HAVE TWO ISSUES WHICH SEEM TO HAVE BOTH ALREADY BEEN REPORTED. 1. WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION WILL IDLE HIGH WHILE DRIVING, BUT THE VEHICLE IS NOT SPEEDING UP. THEN WITHOUT WARNING THE TRANSMISSION CATCHES, AND THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD. THIS IS A RANDOM ISSUE THAT HAPPENS DAILY WITH THE VEHICLE. SERVICING THE TRANSMISSION HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM AND CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM TO THIS DAY. 2.THE HEATER/AC CONTROL KNOW BECAME VERY DIFFICULTY TO CHANGE BETWEEN HEATER AND A/C. THE SWITCH HAS FINALLY BROKE OFF, AND NOW I'M UNABLE TO SWITCH BETWEEN HEATER AND A/C. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND THIS ALSO SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. I HAVE FOUND MOST OTHER AUTO OWNERS HAVE PAID FOR THE REPLACEMENT, BUT ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM OCCUR AGAIN. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON BOTH OF THESE ISSUES AND IS HAS BEEN REPORTED AS FAR BACK AS 2004, AND AT THIS POINT I DO SEE ANY RECALLS BY MITSUBISHI TO FIX EITHER OF THE PROBLEMS. *TR

Mileage: 100

AS WITH SO MANY OTHER LANCERS NOTED HERE, MY WIFE'S 2003 LANCER'S TEMP CONTROL KNOB HAS BROKEN. OVER A PERIOD OF A FEW YEARS THE KNOB CONTINUALLY GOT HARDER TO TURN AND RECENTLY JUST BROKE OFF. I ALSO GAVE HER A PAIR OF NEEDLE-NOSE PLIERS TO TURN THE PLASTIC NUB THAT IS LEFT, ALTHOUGH I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THIS WILL WORK AS EACH TIME SHE DOES IT WEARS DOWN THE PLASTIC SOME. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A WIDE-SPREAD PROBLEM AND NOT JUST A NUISANCE, AS MY WIFE NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO DEFROST HER WINDOWS AS NEEDED FOR VISIBILITY. SHAME ON MITSUBISHI FOR NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE ISSUE, LET ALONE FOR NOT FIXING IT. *TR

Mileage: 103,700

THE HEATING/COOLING KNOB HAS BEEN HARD TO TURN SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. IT WOULD HAVE TO BE FORCED TO SWITCH FROM WARM TO COOL. EVENTUALLY THE KNOB BROKE OFF. MITSUBISHI WAS CONTACTED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED BUT SINCE IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT. THE CABLE WAS REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT SOLVED, IT WAS STILL JUST AS HARD TO TURN. APPROX 1 1/2 YEARS LATER THE KNOB BROKE OFF AGAIN RESULTING IN NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL TEMPERATURE AND ENGAGE THE DEFROSTER. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER: THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB BROKE OFF ITS SHAFT, AFTER OVER TWO YEARS OF THE CONTROL BEING SO DIFFICULT TO TURN THAT IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCOMLISH. THE WIRE RUNNING FROM THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL (KNOB) TO THE VENT FLAP THAT CONTROLS HEAT/COLD BENT AS WELL, LEAVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT A WAY TO CHANGE THE TEMPERATURE (STUCK IN COLD POSITION NOW). THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AS I AM UNABLE TO DEFROST/CLEAR MY WINDSHIELD WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE, WHICH RESULTS IN CONTINUOUS POOR DRIVING VISIBILITY. *TR

Mileage: 102,496

NO HEAT/DEFROST IN MITSUBISHI LANCER (2003) USUALLY, ITS KIND OF HARD TO TURN, BUT IF YOU TWIST THE KNOB FAST ENOUGH, YOU'LL HEAR THIS SLIDING SOUND BEHIND THE CENTER CONSOLE SIGNIFYING THE CHANGE FROM COLD TO HEAT. THE KNOB IS NO LONGER DOING THAT, NO MATTER HOW I TURN IT. I WILL TURN IT THE FULL 180 DEGREES, AND IT WON'T "POP" INTO PLACE" AND IT'LL END UP TURNING BACK TO ABOUT 160 DEGREES (THE DIAL LOCATION). *TR

Mileage: 200,000

MY DAUGHTER'S 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER ES NO LONGER PROVIDES HEAT. AS IN MANY OTHER CASES, THE KNOB HAS BROKEN OFF!! WHY IS THIS NOT THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL? SHE HAS NO HEAT, IT'S WINTER, AND SHE HAS NO MEANS TO DEFROST HER WINDSHIELD. FOR A WHILE SHE WAS ABLE TO TURN THE MECHANISM USING NEEDLE-NOSED PLIERS. NOW, EVEN THAT DOESN'T WORK AND SHE HAS NO HEAT, NO MEANS TO DEFROST HER WINDSHIELD AND WINDOWS RELIABLY, AND THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. EVENTUALLY, THE CONTROL KNOB BROKE AWAY FROM THE PLASTIC CONNECTOR BENEATH, AND NOW THE TEMPERATURE CANNOT BE CHANGED. A SHORT INTERNET SEARCH HAS SHOWN THIS TO BE SUBJECT OF A TECHNICAL BULLETIN ISSUED IN 2004. *TR

THE HEAT/AC KNOB ON MY 2003 MITSUBISHI HAS BEEN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THIS IS ESPECIALLY HAZARDOUS WHEN TRYING TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. I'VE REPORTED THE ISSUE SEVERAL TIMES TO MITSUBISHI AND THEY HAVE STATED THAT THEY'VE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE MORE I RESEARCH, THE MORE I FIND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR OTHERS. THIS KNOB HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO USE FROM DAY ONE. *TR

Mileage: 108,000

MITSUBISHI 2003 HEATING KNOB IS NOT WORKING.. *TR

Mileage: 99,000

AIR CONDITIONING/HEATING KNOB WAS HARD TO TURN, UNTIL IT FINALLY BROKE COMPLETELY OFF. NOW I HAVE NO HEAT IN MY VEHICLE AND IT VISUALLY IMPAIRS MY DRIVING WHEN IT IS COLD AND FROSTS UP. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING I CAN DO, EXCEPT TRY TO DRIVE THROUGH IT. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

THE HEATER CONTROL KNOB IS BROKEN. I CAN'T ROTATE THE KNOB FROM COLD TO HEAT. IT BEGAN GETTING REALLY DIFFICULT TO TURN ABOUT A YEAR AGO, UNTIL I COULD NO LONGER ROTATE IT ABOUT A MONTH AGO. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS ARE YOU CAN'T SWITCH THE AIR FROM COOL TO WARM IN CASE YOU'RE DRIVING SOMEWHERE AT NIGHT AND NEED TO TURN ON THE HEATER FOR A LITTLE WHILE. YOUR WINDOWS FOG UP. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, OTHER THAN MY MECHANIC MESSED WITH THE CABLE INSIDE AND NOW MY KNOB IS PERMANENTLY STUCK ON HEAT, WHENEVER I TURN THE FAN ON. A NEW PART FROM MITSUBISHI IS OVER $500. ARE THEY GOING TO ISSUE A RECALL? I KNOW THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OTHER MITSUBISHI LANCER OWNERS WITH THIS SAME SITUATION ON THEIR HANDS. *TR

Mileage: 72,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TEMPERATURE KNOB WAS FRACTURED WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL THE DEFROST, HEAT, AND AIR CONDITIONING TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT OF THE REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 105,000

MY 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER HEATER KNOB BROKE OFF AND I AM UNABLE TO GET THE DEFROSTER TO WORK. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM AS THIS IS A MATERIAL DEFECT IN HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF LANCER AUTOMOBILES. PLEASE HELP FORCE MITSUBISHI TO RECALL AND FIX THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAT CONTROL KNOB WOULD TURN BUT WOULD NOT ENGAGE THE HEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AIR WOULD BLOW THROUGH THE VENTS BUT WOULD NOT GET WARM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE FAILURE OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROSTER WAS ALSO WORKING BUT HEAT WOULD NOT EXPEL FROM THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

Mileage: 65,000

I HAVE A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER. APPROX 4 YEARS AGO THE TEMP CONTROL KNOB FOR THE HEATING/AC BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN FROM COLD TO HOT AND VICE VERSA. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE WHOLE KNOB AND STEM SNAPPED OFF AND BROKE. I REPLACED THE WHOLE HEATER/AC CONTROL BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED. I HAVE LEARNED TO LIVE WITH THIS INCONVENIENCE IN THE SOUTHERN CA CLIMATE. NOW MY SON NEEDS TO HAVE THIS VEHICLE IN PHILADELPHIA, PA WHERE HE NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO USE THE HEATER/DEFROSTER. AS I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, THIS SEEMS TO A DESIGN PROBLEM THAT MITSUBISHI HAS KNOWN ABOUT SINCE MARCH, 2004 WITH TSB-04-55-003 AND TSB-04-44-003. AS I AM WELL OUT OF WARRANTY, I ASKED MITSUBISHI SERVICE ADVISORS IF THEY WILL HELP WITH THE COST OF $700 - $1100 FOR REPAIRS. I ALSO CONTACTED MITSUBISHI CUSTOMER SERVICE BUT NONE ARE WILLING TO HELP. I FEEL THAT MISUBISHI SHOULD RECALL AND FIX THIS ISSUE FOR SAFETY REASONS (CANNOT USE DEFROSTER) AND FOR THE FACT THAT THESE ARE NOT ISOLATED ISSUES. THANK YOU. *TR

Mileage: 78,545

2003 LANCER - HEATER-A/C CONTROL KNOB BROKE AND CANNOT ADJUST TEMPERATURE. THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD PROMPT A RECALL BY MITSUBISHI - WHY HAS THIS NOT HAPPENED BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS LISTED ON THIS SITE? SHOULD THIS BE FORWARDED TO SOME CONSUMER GROUP OR THE NTSB TO INVESTIGATE? *TR

Mileage: 60,000

1. USE OF VEHICLES HEATING/COOLING SYSTEM. 2. THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB BROKEN AND BECAME UNUSABLE. DEFROST/DEFOG NO LONGER WORKS DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO CHANGE THE TEMPERATURE. 3. NO FIX AT THIS TIME. *TR

THE HEAT/AC KNOB IN MY 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER WILL NOT TURN. IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT FOR YEARS, BUT FOR FALL/WINTER 2009 I HAD TO HAVE A MECHANIC CRAWL UNDER THE DASH AND FORCE IT WITH PLIERS, THEN I LEFT IT THAT WAY ALL WINTER. NOT VERY SAFE OR CONVENIENT. I'M LOOKING AT A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR FROM MITSUBISHI WHICH THEY SHOULD PAY FOR. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE, YOU CAN'T DEFROST YOUR WINDOWS WITHOUT HEAT, NOR SHOULD YOU HAVE TO USE SUCH LOUSY EQUIPMENT. MITSUBISHI NEEDS TO STEP UP AND ISSUE A RECALL, I'VE SEEN THIS COMPLAINT ALL OVER THE INTERNET. *TR

Mileage: 48,000

MITSUBISHI 2003 LANCER ES PROBLEM: AC KNOB WON'T SWITCH ALL THE WAY OVER TO HEAT?IT KINKS. IF YOU TURN IT TOO HARD, IT BREAKS AND YOU REQUIRE TO CHANGE THE WHOLE CONSOLE WHICH COSTS AROUND $388.00 PLUS THE LABOR REQUIRED TO INSTALL IT, THEN THE TOTAL WILL BE AROUND $675.00! THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE 2008 BUT IT WORSENED WITH TIME TO THE POINT OF BREAKING RECENTLY. THE TWO OUTSIDE KNOBS ON THE HVAC UNIT (THE KNOBS THAT CONTROL THE TEMPERATURE AND WHERE THE AIR FLOWS OUT FROM) ARE CONNECTED TO THE HEATER CORE VIA METAL WIRES. WHEN YOU TURN THE TEMPERATURE KNOB TO THE RIGHT THE WIRE PUSHES OUT AND WHEN YOU TURN IT BACK TO THE LEFT THE WIRE PULLS IN. THIS WIRE IS CONNECTED TO A PIECE OF PLASTIC ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE HEATER CORE. THIS PIECE OF PLASTIC IS CONNECTED TO A GEAR AND IS SUPPOSED TO WORK HARMONIOUSLY WITH THE PIECE OF PLASTIC THE AIRFLOW KNOB (RIGHT OUTSIDE KNOB ON HVAC UNIT) IS CONNECTED TO. THAT IS WHERE THE PROBLEM IS. THESE TWO PIECES OF PLASTIC, BLEND LINK AND LEVER, WHICH ARE SUPPOSED TO SLIDE BACK AND FORTH WITH THE TURNING OF THE KNOBS, DON'T WORK WELL AND THE WIRE ISN'T STRONG ENOUGH TO FORCE THE PIECE INTO THE HEAT POSITION. THE RESULT IS THE WIRE OFTEN KINKS. ON THE DRIVER SIDE, UNDER THE DASH, UP AND TO THE RIGHT THERE ARE TWO PIECES OF WHITE PLASTIC, ONE CLOSER TO THE FIREWALL THEN THE OTHER. THERE IS A METAL WIRE CLIPPED TO EACH. THIS IS THE PART YOU HAVE TO TURN TO CHANGE IT TO HEAT. THE 'BOTTOM' IS THE TEMPERATURE KNOB. YOU CAN EITHER GRAB THE WIRE OR THE PIECE OF PLASTIC IT CONNECTS TO AND TURN IT TOWARD THE FIREWALL MOST PEOPLE SIMPLY TURN THE DEVICE BY HAND NOW BUT THAT?S NOT SAFE TO DO WHILE DRIVING! I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN BY MITSUBISHI THAT RESULTS IN A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN THE WIND SHIELD FOGS UP AND YOU CAN?T TURN THE KNOB BECAUSE IT KINKS. MITSUBISHI NEEDS TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT?S HAPPENING TO HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

THE A/C KNOB ON THIS CAR HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND HAS NOW BROKE OFF. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN VERY STIFF WHEN GOING FROM A/C TO HEAT AND NOW DUE TO BEING USED WITH SUCH FORCE REPEATEDLY IT HAS BROKE OFF, THE VENT SELECTOR HAS NEVER BEEN AN ISSUE ITS SMOOTH AND TRANSITIONS EASILY AFTER ALL THESE FEATURES ARE SUPPOSED TO MAKE THE VEHICLE MORE COMFORTABLE AND SAFE AND WARM ON COLD NIGHTS... I JUST WENT TO A SITE WHERE AT LEAST 150 PEOPLE COMPLAINED OF THE SAME PROBLEM. THE PART IS OVER 200$ FROM A DEALER AND THE DEALER CHARGES OVER 700-800$ TO REPLACE THE PART(TALK ABOUT A RACKET) AND YET WITH SOOOO MANY COMPLAINTS I FEEL BAD FOR PEOPLE WITH SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS THAT ARE STUCK IN THIS VEHICLE DRIVING UNDER MISERABLE AND YES UNSAFE CONDITIONS ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T DEFROST THEIR WINDSHIELD OR PEOPLE WHO HAVE A HARD TIME MAINTAINING BODY TEMPERATURE... A RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN ISSUED A LONG TIME AGO, ESPECIALLY IF THE MANUFACTURER HAS SINCE DEVELOPED A "REPAIR KIT" (IN OTHER WORDS HERE'S THE FIX TO SOMETHING WE KNOW DOESN'T WORK BUT WE WANT ALL YOU HARD WORKING PEOPLE TO PAY FOR IT) SO AGAIN LETS SCREW THE LITTLE GUY RIGHT? *TR

Mileage: 87,000

2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER - DIFFICULTY TURNING THE TEMPERATURE KNOB. HAD IT FIXED AT THE DEALER JUST ENOUGH SO THAT I COULD TURN THE KNOB, BUT IS STILL VERY DIFFICULT AND HE WARNED THAT IF I USE IT TOO MUCH IT WILL LIKELY BREAK. APPARENTLY MITSUBISHI IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 20,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THE KNOBS ON THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL PANEL WERE BREAKING OFF. THE DEALER ADVISED THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE YET THE IMPROVED KNOBS WERE ON BACKORDER. THE CONTACT FELT THE FAILURE COULD POTENTIALLY BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE OF THE HEAT LEVELS IN THE VEHICLE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,931.

Mileage: 54,000

SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED THE CAR,THE KNOB FOR THE AC/ HEATER WAS HARD TO TURN. THEN ABOUT 2YRS AGO I CANT TURN IT WITHOUT THE CAR BEING PARKED. IT TOOK ALL MY STRENGTH TO TURN. MOST OF THE TIME I WOULDN'T USE MY HEAT. THEN ONE NIGHT MY WINDSHIELD WAS FOGGED UP. I TRIED DRIVING WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN. BUT I HAD TO STOP TO TURN THE HEAT ON FOR THE DEFROSTER.DRIVING ACROSS A BRIDGE WITH FOGGED UP WINDOWS IS SCARY. WHEN I TURNED THE KNOB IT BROKE OFF. I HAVE TRIED TO GET USED PARTS FOR IT BUT IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THESE CARS. AND THE DEALERS WHAT BETWEEN $700 AND $900 TO FIX THE PROBLEM WITH THEIR CARS. *TR

Mileage: 79,931

HEATING/COOLING KNOB HAS BEEN HARD TO TURN SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. EVENTUALLY THE KNOB BROKE OFF. I WAS TOLD BY A MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP THAT THEY'D HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE UNIT WHICH WOULD RUN ME ABOUT $300 FOR THE PART. I NOW HAVE TO DRIVE IN FULL WINTER CLOTHES WHEN IT'S COLD BECAUSE I CAN'T GET THE THING OFF THE COOL SETTING. *TR

I'D BEEN HAVING DIFFICULTY TURNING THE TEMPERATURE KNOB ON MY 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER FOR A WHILE. THEN, IT BROKE OFF. I FOUND OUT THAT MITSUBISHI IS "AWARE OF THE PROBLEM", EVEN MAKING A REPAIR KIT, BUT THEY HAVEN'T ISSUED A RECALL, & IT COST ME $888 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED!!!!! A KNOB!!!!!! I THINK MITSUBISHI SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR SHODDY WORKMANSHIP & ISSUE A RECALL. *TR

THIS IS A HEALTH ISSUE FOR US BECAUSE MY HUSBAND HAS MS AND IS SENSITIVE TO HEAT ESPECIALLY, BUT ALSO CAN BE SENSITIVE TO COLD. THE HEATER KNOB ON MY VEHICLE BROKE. IT HAD BEEN STICKING FOR A WHILE. I HAD TO TURN THE KNOB PRETTY HARD TO PUSH FROM COLD TO HOT OR HOT TO COLD. IN RESEARCHING A WAY TO FIX IT I WAS APPALLED BY THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN INITIATED BY MITSUBISHI. AT THIS POINT WE JUST NEED TO REPLACE ONE SMALL SHAFT FOR THE KNOB TO SLIP ONTO, BUT THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS WE HAVE TO BUY THE WHOLE UNIT - $215 PLUS SHIPPING AND LABOR. WITH MY HUSBAND HAVING MS, WE ARE ALWAYS PAYING MEDICAL BILLS. WE WENT TO A SALVAGE YARD AND THE HEATER ASSEMBLY WAS MISSING FROM THE ONLY LANCER ON THE LOT AND ACCORDING TO ONE PERSON EVERY LANCER HE SAW COME THROUGH HAD THE LEFT KNOB BROKEN OFF THE HEATER TEMP CONTROLLER. NOW IT IS COLD IN THE MORNINGS AND WARM IN THE AFTERNOONS AND WE CANNOT ADJUST THE TEMPERATURE AT ALL. WE HAD BEEN USING PLIERS BUT NOW CANNOT MOVE IT AT ALL. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS BECAUSE IT IS A HEALTH ISSUE FOR THOSE WITH MS AND OTHER NEUROLOGICAL AND AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

THE TEMPERATURE KNOB WILL NOT TURN FROM COOL TO HEAT RESULTING IN THE FAILURE TO HEAT THE WINDSHIELD. IN TURN, ANY FROST, ICE, OR FOG WILL NOT BE REMOVED AND HINDERS VISION. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR WE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING; BUT TOLD THAT THE KNOBS ARE A LITTLE HARD TO TURN AND THERE IS NO PROBLEM. THE CONTROLS FINALLY BECAME INOPERABLE; WHICH PUTS OUR SAFETY AT RISK. HVAC CONTROLS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED WITH A MECHANICAL FLAW WHICH MAKES THE DEFROSTING, HEATING, AND AC COMPONENTS DIFFICULT TO OPERATE AND EVENTUALLY BECOME INOPERABLE. TSB 055-003 HAS BEEN ISSUED PUTTING THE REPAIR ON THE CONSUMER FOR A DESIGN FLAW WHICH PUT MOTORIST AT RISK ESPECIALLY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. *TR

2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER. TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY. I CAN'T TURN THE HEAT ON. WHEN I TURN THE KNOB FROM COLD TO HOT THERE IS A LOT OF TENSION AND I'VE ALREADY BROKEN ONE KNOB TRYING TO FORCE IT TO TURN THE HEATER ON WHEN IT'S COLD OUT. THE ONLY WAY TO TURN THE HEAT ON IS TO LOOK FOR A LEVER TO THE RIGHT OF THE GAS PEDAL AND MANUALLY TURN THE HEAT ON. THIS IS NOT SAFE WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD WON'T DEFROST IF THE HEATER ISN'T ON. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR AND HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. I HAVE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

CLIMATE CONTROL KNOB BROKE OFF ON MITSUBISHI ,FOUND TO HAPPEN ON LOTS OF THESE CARS, CANT DEFROST WINDOW. CANT SEE. SAFETY HAZARD? *TR

TEMPERATURE KNOB OF MITSUBISHI LANCER DOESN'T GO TOWARDS HEATING. *TR

IN THE 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER ES THE CLIMATE CONTROL SWITCH THAT CONTROLS THE HEAT/COLD IS FAULTY. THE SWITCH HAS ALWAYS BEEN HARD TO TURN AND EVENTUALLY BROKE OFF. MAKING THE CAR OWNER UNABLE TO SWITCH FROM HOT TO COLD. THIS POSES A PROBLEM IN THE WINTER MONTHS ESPECIALLY SINCE THE CAR OWNERS WILL BE UNABLE TO DEFROST THEIR WINDSHIELD. MAKING IT A HAZARD. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE ISN'T A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS THE EXACT QUOTE I RECEIVED FROM THE DEALERSHIP ON THE REPAIR. "TO REPAIR THIS PROPERLY WE NEED TO REMOVE THE DASH AND REPAIR THE HEATER BOX. IF THAT IS NOT DONE THAN YOU WILL DAMAGE THE NEW HEATER KNOB. THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR ARE $520.00 AND THE LABOR TO DO THE REPAIR IS $756.00" I'VE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM OVER THE INTERNET. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

UNABLE TO TURN TEMP CONTROL SWITCH FROM HEAT TO A/C. UNABLE TO DEFROST WINDOWS. MITSUBISHI QUOTED $1200 TO FIX. HAVE HAD TO PULL CAR OFF THE ROAD TO WIPE DOWN WINDOWS BECAUSE THE WINDOWS HAVE FOGGED UP WHILE DRIVING AND THERE IS NO WAY TO TURN DIAL WITHOUT CRAWLING UNDER THE DASH AND MANUALLY PULLING IT FROM A/C TO HEAT. *TR

2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER PURCHASED IN FALL OF 2003, AC/HEATER CONTROL KNOB WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN & EVENTUALLY BROKE OFF. SINCE THE UNIT IS NOW STUCK ON A/C THE DEFOGGING SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY MAKING IT HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN WINTER MONTHS. I FIND THE INOPERABLE OF THE AC/HEATER CONTROL KNOB TO BE A LIFE THREATENING RISK. WILL A LIFE HAVE TO BE LOST BEFORE A RECALL IS CONSIDERED? HOW MANY MORE COMPLAINTS WILL GO UNHEARD? THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT BE EXPECTED TO FORK UP $900-1200 FOR A TEMPORARY FIX TO ONLY HAVE THE ISSUE REOCCUR. *TR

Mileage: 37,500

HVAC DASH CONTROL UNIT-MITSUBISHIS LANCER 2003 THE KNOB THAT CONTROLS THE HOT AND COLD BROKE,IT IS STUCK IN THE COLD POSITION. NOW UNABLE TO REGULATE THE HEATING FUNCTIONS. IT ALSO HINDERS THE DE-FOGGING FEATURE FROM WORKING. I LIVE IN NYC AND THE WEATHER HAS NOW CHANGED. WITH THE CLIMATE CHANGE I HAVE NO HEAT NOR CAN I USE THE DE-FOGGING IF I AM DRIVING IN THE RAIN. PART IS NOT REPAIRABLE BY DEALER BECAUSE IT IS NOT A DEFECT IN THE CAR. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT EVERY OWNER OF THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE SINCE 99/00 HAS HAD THIS HAPPEN. EACH OWNER HAS STATED THAT MITSUBISHI DOES NOT RECOGNIZE IT AS A RECALL. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF WHO LIVE WHERE THE CLIMATE CHANGES, AS WELL IF SOMEONE LIVES IN A WARM CLIMATE/COLD CLIMATE YEAR ROUND. I THINK MITSUBISHI NEEDS TO ADMIT TO THIS DEFECT AND FIX IT FOR ALL OWNERS OF THIS MODEL. BEING THAT THIS HAPPENS SO FREQUENT THERE IS NO WAY TO ACQUIRE THE PART SECOND HAND. ONLY AT THE DEALER. *TR

TEMPERATURE KNOB WONT TURN. CAN NOT MOVE THE KNOB FROM AC TO HEAT. CAN NOT REMOVE FOG OF THE WINDSHIELD. *TR

WE HAVE A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER AND THE HOT/COLD SWITCH BROKE OFF. IN TRYING TO RESEARCH THIS, I FOUND 100'S OF ONLINE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED WEBSITE HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2003/MITSUBISHI/LANCER. IT IS ALSO NOT POSSIBLE TO GET THE WINDOWS TO DEFROST IN THE VEHICLE DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. THAT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. THE COMPANY SHOULD BE DOING A RECALL FIX ON THESE... *TR

Mileage: 54,000

2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER OZ RALLEY . THE HEATER HOT AND COLD SELECTOR WILL NOT SWITCH FROM HOT TO COLD. YOU HAVE TO REACH UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE DASH AND MOVE IT FROM HOT TO COLD. IF NOT THE SELECTOR SWITCH WILL BREAK. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED IT ONCE. NO SOLUTION IN SIGHT. BY THE WAY I AM A MECHANIC BY TRADE WITH 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. ALSO THE PLUG COMING OFF THE DASH HARNESS HAS SEEMED TO HAVE GOTTEN HOT AND AS A RESULT THE PLASTIC IS DETERIORATING ALLOWING A SHORT BETWEEN THE WIRES. WHICH IN TURN CAUSES THE FUSE FOR THE HEATER CONTROL LIGHTS AS WELL AS THE RIGHT FRONT AND REAR MARKER LIGHTS TO BURN OUT. *TR

Mileage: 720,000

WE HAVE A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER AND THE HOT/COLD SWITCH BROKE OFF. IN TRYING TO RESEARCH THIS, I LITERALLY FOUND 100'S OF ONLINE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. WE LIVE IN MN, AND IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO GET THE WINDOWS TO DEFROST IN THE VEHICLE DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. THAT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. THE COMPANY SHOULD BE DOING A RECALL FIX ON THESE...SINCE GETTING IT FIXED DOESN'T FIX THE PROBLEM AT ALL, THE SWITCH BEHAVES THE SAME WAY AFTER ABOUT 90 DAYS OF USE. *TR

THE AIR/HEATING UNIT BUTTON ON THE DASH BROKE OFF COMPLETELY. IT WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN THE KNOB TO HEAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN IT TO THE RIGHT. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALER THEY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. THEY SAID THAT THEY'VE HAD MANY CAR OWNERS BUYING THE UNIT BECAUSE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 LANCER. THE UNIT ITSELF IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO BUY AT A COST OF $379.00. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE LABOR. THE LABOR WAS QUOTED AT $549.00, BECAUSE THEY WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE DASHBOARD/ TRIM OUT AND OFF TO REPLACE THE UNIT. I JUST REPLACED THE UNIT AND THE SAME PROBLEM HAS STARTED AGAIN. THIS IS JUST ONE OF MANY PROBLEMS. I HAVE EXPERIENCED. THE CAR WILL JERK AND HESTITATE AND LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING. THE GEARS WILL SHIFT AND I WILL LOSE MOMENTUM WHILE DRIVING. YOU CAN HEAR A REVVING SOUND LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS ABOUT TO GO OUT. THESE ARE JUST A FEW PROBLEMS - I HAVEN'T MENTION THAT I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE AIR CONDITION UNIT BECAUSE OF THE CONDENSATION LEAKING INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD CAUSING IT TO FILL WITH WATER. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED TWICE. THE DEALER REPLACE THE UNIT WITH A NEW ONE. *TR

2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER OZ RALLY - HEATER CONTROL KNOB NOT PROPERLY WORKING. PURCHASED VEHICLE USED IN MARCH 2007, NOTICED CONTROL KNOB HARD TO TURN. TOOK INTO DEALERSHIP TO FIX A RECALL ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD & GASKETS, HAD THEM ALSO CHECK THE A/C TEMP KNOB BECAUSE IT WAS HARD TO TURN FROM HEAT TO COLD. WARRANTY DID NOT COVER, WAS STILL OPERABLE, SO DID NOT GET REPLACED. EVENTUALLY THE KNOB COMPLETELY BROKE OFF IN DECEMBER 2007, PAID TO REPLACE HEATER CONTROL ASSY #MN185137HB (LUCKILY WARRANTY COVERED PARTIAL - TOTAL COST 347.27, WARRANTY COVERED 247.27, PAID 100.00) AFTER KNOB WAS REPLACED THE HEATER WAS WORKING FINE. AGAIN,EVENTUALLY THE TEMP CONTROL KNOB WOULD NOT STAY ON HEAT, WOULD RETURN MIDWAY BETWEEN HOT & COLD. DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED REPLACING: HEATER BLEND DOOR (7801A360 - $80.22) & LINK & LEVER (7801A110 - $30.03), WITH AN ADDITIONAL 8 HOURS OF LABOR WOULD BE $850 + TAX. AFTER REVIEWING OTHER COMPLAINTS, I HAVE NOTICED MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, SPECIFICALLY DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO USE DEFROSTER. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE REVIEWED. *TR

Mileage: 71,820

ALL THREE BRAKE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING WITH NO WARNING. 1. NORMAL DRIVING TO AND FROM WORK, UNSURE OF ANYTHING LEADING UP TO FAILURE. WAS ALERTED BY ANOTHER DRIVER THAT WAS BEHIND ME WHILE DRIVING AND THEN PULLED UP NEXT TO ME AT A LIGHT. WAS LUCKY THERE WAS NO CRASH. 2. LIGHTS ARE COMPLETELY OUT, HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THEM BACK ON 3. HAVE CHECKED THE FUSE AS LABELED IN THE MANUFACTURERS HANDBOOK, CHECKED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, CHECKED THE LIGHT BULBS, ALL ARE IN OK FASHION AND WORK WHEN TESTED SEPARATELY. *TR

Mileage: 86,000

I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE HEAT/COLD KNOB AND THE VENT KNOB. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AND THEY QUOTED ME ALMOST $1900 TO FIX. YEAH RIGHT!!! THIS IS A SOLUTION.... NOT A COMPLETE FIX BUT I GET HEAT IN THE WINTER AND A/C IN THE SUMMER. I HAVE TO REACHED UP UNDER THE DASH AND MOVE THE CONTROLS AT THE HEATER BOX. IF YOU STILL HAVE A KNOB TURN IT WHILE YOU ARE MOVING THE PLASTIC ARM FROM UNDERNEATH. THE VENT CONTROL IS A LITTLE HARDER TO GET TO BUT IT'S UP THERE, JUST A LITTLE HIGHER AND IT'S SMALLER SO IT'S HARDER TO GET LEVERAGE. HOPE THIS HELPS ALL OF YOU. LOOK UNDER FROM THE DRIVER SIDE. YOU'LL SEE THE CABLES AND THEY'RE CONNECTED TO A PLASTIC ROTARY ARM THING. IT WORKS... YES IT'S A PAIN... BEATS DISHING OUT MAJOR BUCKS FOR SOMETHING THAT'S NOT OUR FAULT. *TR

AT NIGHT DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN, UNABLE TO TURN OFF AIR CONDITIONER AND SWITCH ON WINDSHIELD DEFROST BECAUSE HEATER, TEMPERATURE DIAL BROKE OFF. *TR

Mileage: 57,000

ADD MY BUMBLE BEE TO THE GROWING LIST OF LANCERS WITH BROKEN OFF HEATER/A.C. KNOBS DUE TO THE BADLY DESIGNED AND FAULTY COMPONENT COUPLED WITH IN AN INEPT SERVICE DEPARTMENT. SHOULD HAVE MADE THIS COMPLAINT WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED INSTEAD OF JUST WAITING FOR THE RECALL THAT NEVER HAPPENED. *TR

HEATER CONTROL KNOB TURNS VERY HARD AND NOW DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

KNOB ON AC/HEATER CONTROL BROKE, NOW STUCK ON AC. CAN NOT USE CAR IN COLD WEATHER AS WINDSHIELD FOGS UP MAKING THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS IS A 2003 MIISUBISHI LANCER.*CN

Mileage: 27,000

I PURCHASED A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER ES BRAND-NEW FROM A DEALERSHIP IN THE SUMMER OF THAT YEAR. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE, I REALIZED THE TEMPERATURE-CONTROL KNOB WAS STIFF AND WOULD HAVE TO BE FORCED TO SWITCH FROM HEAT TO COOL AND VICE VERSA. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE A SERVICE TECHNICIAN OILED IT. THAT HELPED FOR A FEW MONTHS BEFORE IT STARTED STICKING AGAIN. BASICALLY, IT WOULD FEEL AS IT THE KNOB WAS STUCK BETWEEN HOT AND COLD. IT WOULD HAVE TO BE FORCED BEYOND THAT POINT. ONCE FORCED, IT WOULD EITHER NOT STICK IN THE MOST EXTREME TEMPERATURE SETTING (I.E. MAX AC OR HIGHEST HEAT SETTING) OR IT WOULD NOT MOVE MUCH AT ALL. IT WOULD OFTEN FEEL AS IF IT WERE ON THE VERGE OF BREAKING. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP IN 2005, WHERE I WAS TOLD IT WAS A COMMON COMPLAINT AMONG 2003 LANCER OWNERS. THE SERVICE TECH AT THAT TIME TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $800 TO FIX BUT THAT SO LONG AS THE HEATING AND AC WORKED MOST OF THE TIME, IT WOULD BE SMARTER TO HOLD OFF UNTIL MITSUBISHI ISSUED A RECALL. HE INDICATED THAT A RECALL WAS IMMINENT BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS HE WAS AWARE OF. THE KNOB ON MY CAR OFFICIALLY BROKE LAST WEEK. THERE IS STILL NO RECALL ON THE PART, BUT A SERVICE TECHNICIAN I SPOKE TO THIS MORNING SAID THAT MITSUBISHI RECENTLY RELEASED A FIX-IT KIT TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO HIM, THAT IS THE GOOD NEWS. THE BAD NEWS IS THAT IT WOULD COST $1,000 TO REPAIR, BECAUSE THE ENTIRE DASH HAS TO BE REMOVED TO MAKE THE REPAIR. TOTAL ESTIMATED REPAIR TIME IS ABOUT 8 HOURS. IT'S MY BELIEF THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON ENOUGH TO WARRANT A RECALL ON THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB AND COMPANY-PAID REPAIR. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE ADJUSTER KNOB FOR THE DEFROSTER WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND EVENTUALLY FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TEMP CONTROL CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A TSB NHTSA ITEM NUMBER 10006466. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,200.

Mileage: 27,000

I BOUGHT THE MITSUBISHI LANCER IN JUNE 2004 WITH 29,361 MILES. NOVEMBER 24 2004 WITH 31,952 MILES WE TOOK THE CAR (WHICH IS MY DAUGHTERS) TO SANBERNARDINO MITSUBISHI FOR A FAN CONTROLLER RECALL # C0409ZXX INVOICE # 152167 AND EXPLAINED IT WAS HARD TO TURN THE HEATER CONTROLL KNOB THE SERVICE ADVISER # 25 GOT IN THE CAR AND TURNED THE KNOB HE SAID YEAH IT IS A LITTLE HARD TO TURN BUT THEY ARE MADE LIKE THAT. I TOLD HIM IT FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO BREAK AND HE SAID IT WONT AND ONCE AGAIN THEY ARE ALL MADE LIKE THAT BUT HE WOULD HAVE IT LOOKED AT. WE WERE TOLD THEY OILED IT AND SENT US ON OUR WAY. MY DAUGHTER TURNED THE KNOB ONLY WHEN SHE HAD TO BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T WANT IT TO BREAK. WE TOOK THE CAR BACK TO SAN BERNARDINO MITSUBISHI ON FEBRUARY 1 2006 WITH 37,320 MILES FOR A REFLASH RECALL # C0505JXX PCM INVOICE # 164087. WE TOLD THE SERVICE ADVISER CARLOS GONZALEZ WE ARE AGAIN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE HEATER CONTROLS KNOB BEING HARD TO TURN.AND HE SAID THEY GET THIS COMPLIANT ALL THE TIME. INVOICE # 164167 HE HAD THE HEATER CONTROL LINK PART # 7801A110 AND # MN185137HC CONTROL REPLACED ON FEBRUARY 3 2006. PER DSM. ON OCTOBER 30 2007 WITH 51,391 MILES I CALLED SAN BERNARDINO MITSUBISHI 909-884-7700 AND SPOKE TO MIKE SMITH IN SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND TOLD HIM OF MY RECURRING PROBLEM WITH HEATER CONTROL KNOB NOT WORKING.HE TOLD ME IT WOULD BE $900 DOLLARS TO FIX THE PROBLEM I WAS GIVEN THE PHONE NUMBER FOR MITSUBISH NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE 888-648-7820. I CALLED AND SPOKE TO LINDA WOULD NOT GIVE HER LAST NAME AND SHE SAID THAT THE REPLACED CONTROLLER WHICH WAS DONE 18 MONTHS AGO ONLY HAD A 12 MONTH WARRANTY THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS EXACT RECURRING PROBLEM ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE. THIS IS WITHOUT A DOUBT A DESIGN PROBLEM OF MITSUBISH?S. WHAT IS A PESON TO DO? JUST NOT BUY A MITSUBISHI? *TR

Mileage: 51,360

I TOOK OUR 2003 OZ RALLY LANSER TO THE DEALER FOR A RECALL. I TOLD THEM THE HEATING AND COOLING KNOB WAS HARD TO TURN FROM HOT TO COLD AND FROM COLD TO HOT. I FELT LIKE IT WOULD BREAK IF YOU FORCE IT. THEY PUT OIL ON THE KNOB AND SAID THEY ARE ALL LIKE THAT ON THIS MODEL. IT IS NOW SO HARD TO TURN WE TRY NOT TO BECAUSE IT WILL BREAK. I HAVE READ ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS MODEL AND IT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT SOME OF THEM HAVE BROKEN THE KNOB STATING THAT IT COST THEM 500-900 DOLLARS TO GET FIXED. I FELL THAT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL IF THAT KNOB WAS TO BREAK IN A ICE STORM YOU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE DEFROSTER OR HEATER ON. IN THE MID-WEST THAT COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 35,000

HEATER CONTROL KNOB BROKE, AS IN EVERY MITSUBISHI LANCER, AND NO RECALLS YET. *JB

HEATER SELECTOR FROM HOT TO COLD DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. AFTER A SHORT TIME, DID NOT WORK AT ALL; BENT CABLE. PURCHASED NEW CABLE, BENT NEW CABLE. FOUND PROBLEM TO BE NOT IN KNOB, BUT IN THE ACTUAL LEVER/GEAR THE CABLE TURNS. ESTIMATE IT NEEDS A NEW HEATER CORE (BEST GUESS FROM SERVICE SHOP). *JB

Mileage: 40,000

WHEN I FIRST GOT THE LANCER IN 2003 ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I NOTICED WAS THAT THE KNOB FOR THE AIR AND HEAT WAS REALLY DIFFICULT TO TURN. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS "JUST A LITTLE STICKY" AND IF I KEPT TURNING IT, IT WOULD WORK ITSELF OUT AND BE FINE. I AVOIDED USING IT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE IT NEVER GOT BETTER. A YEAR OR SO LATER I HAD TO TAKE MY VEHICLE IN FOR A FACTORY RECALL AND DURING THAT VISIT I ONCE AGAIN ASKED ABOUT THE KNOB. THE TECH LOOKED UNDER THE PANEL AND SAID IT WAS JUST STICKING A BIT AND PUT SOME GREASE ON THE GEARS AND SAID TO JUST WORK IT, TURNING IT BACK AND FORTH, AND IT WOULD WORK ITSELF OUT. IT WAS FINE FOR A COUPLE DAYS BUT WENT BACK TO THE WAY IT WAS SHORTLY THERE AFTER. FINALLY, A FEW WEEKS AGO, WHILE ON MY WAY TO THE AIRPORT TO PICK UP A FRIEND, I WENT TO TURN THE HEAT ON AND THE KNOB JUST SNAPPED OFF. THIS TIME WHEN I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME SINCE THE ROD THAT CONNECTS THE KNOB TO THE GEARS INSIDE WAS WHAT SNAPPED IT WOULD BE ABOUT $500-$600 TO REPAIR. HE EVEN ASKED WHY I NEVER HAD IT LOOKED AT AND FIXED BEFORE IT SNAPPED OFF. I TOLD HIM I DID NUMEROUS TIMES AND WAS BLOWN OFF EACH TIME. BUT NOW THAT IT IS AN ACTUAL PROBLEM THEY ARE WILLING TO FIX IT, FOR A FEE OF COURSE. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH I REALIZED THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR LANCERS AND HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS TRYING TO GET IT FIXED. THIS IS CAUSE FOR COMPLAINT, THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO FIX IT WHEN I MENTIONED THE PROBLEM NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. NOW THIS HAS TURNED INTO A COSTLY PROBLEM THAT I BELIEVE IS A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLES. *TR

HEATER KNOB DOES NOT TURN TO HOT AND NO HEAT.... COLD WEATHER IN CANADA

Mileage: 31,950

TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB BROKE COMPLETELY OFF. AT FIRST IT WAS HARD TO TURN AND WHEN IT WAS SWITCHED OVER TO HEAT FOR WINTER, IT BROKE OFF. WENT TO MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP; WAS TOLD THEY GET THAT AT LEAST 3 TIMES A WEEK THEN WE WERE QUOTED AROUND $900 TO FIX(PARTS PLUS LABOR). SOUND TO ME IF THEY GET 3 A WEEK THEN MAYBE THEY SHOULDN'T BE CHARGING ANYBODY AND FIXING IT SEEING AS IT IS DEFECTIVE. *JB

AC/HEATER KNOB IS DEFECTIVE, CAN'T CHANGE BETWEEN A/C AND HEAT TO EFFECTIVELY USE DEFROSTER. *NM

Mileage: 50,000

MY HEATER KNOB IS BROKE. IT HAS BEEN VERY HARD TO TURN SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR. IT WAS USED BUT THIS IS MY SECOND CAR OF THE SAME TYPE. IT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE CAR BEFORE THIS ONE AND THERE WAS ONLY A 1 YEAR DIFFERENCE IN THEM. I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PROBLEM. MOST OF THE PEOPLE I KNOW ON THE INTERNET FORUM HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEATING AND COOLING CONTROL KNOB FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE HEATING AND COOLING CONTROL KNOB WAS REDESIGNED AND THAT THERE WERE NONE OF THE ORIGINAL KNOBS IN STOCK.*AK

Mileage: 7,600

THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION . THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO ALSO WAS AT A LOSS FOR AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS DEFECT OCCURRED. *AK THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD STICK, THE HEATER CONTROLS WOULD BIND UP WHEN TURNED ON AND AT TIMES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR. *SC *JB

Mileage: 18,000

WINDSHIELD WEATHER STRIPE MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, WINDSHIELD BECAME LOOSE. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT WINDSHIELD WILL FALL OUT. THE PART WAS REPLACED SIX TIMES, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL RECURRED. *AK

Mileage: 25,000