Research · Small Station Wagons
2004 Mitsubishi Lancer SportbackRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 8 owner complaints for the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback. Most complaints involve electrical system (5) and visibility (2). The EPA rates it 22 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
22mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
8
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback as of Oct 31, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 31, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
8 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2009 – Nov 2017
- Electrical system5
- Visibility2
- Exterior lighting1
- Air bags1
- Visibility/wiper1
- Vehicle speed control1
- Engine and engine cooling1
- Other / unknown2
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 31, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Electrical system
5 reports
“AFTER CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB ON THE DASHBOARD WAS STUCK AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN FROM COLD TO WARM. WHEN TURNING THE KNOB, THE KNOB BROKE EXPOSING ELECTRICAL PANELING. THE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS NO LONGER ADJUSTABLE AND WAS WOULD ONLY BLOW COLD AIR WITH THE OUTSIDE BEING BELOW-FREEZING TEMPERATURES. THIS HAPPENED WHILE CAR WAS STATIONARY IN DRIVEWAY, BUT IF HAPPENED WHILE MOVING COULD HAVE CREATED AN UNSAFE DISTRACTION LEADING TO A DANGEROUS INCIDENT.”
Visibility
2 reports
“MY HEAT AND COOLING CONTROL STICKS AND IT HARD TO TURN THE KNOB FROM COLD TO HEAT AND HEAT TO COLD. THE PIECE FINALLY BROKE 3 ON 11/12/11. THE UNIT NOW HAS TO BE CHANGED UNDER THE DASHBOARD WHICH I AM UNABLE TO DO WHILE DRIVING, WHEN MY WINDOWS ARE FOGGY I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH THEM BEEN FOGGY IF IT IS NOT IN THE RIGHT POSITION. IT APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MITIS. SINCE I SEE MANY ISSUES WITH THIS ONLINE. [XXX] *TR”
Exterior lighting
1 report
“TAKATA RECALL - I TOOK MY CAR IN TO HICKORY MITSUBISHI IN HICKORY, NC TO GET THE AIRBAG FIXED. I PICKED UP MY CAR IN THE AFTERNOON. IT STARTED TO GET DARK ABOUT AN HOUR LATER, SO I TURNED MY LIGHTS ON. I HAVE NO INTERIOR LIGHTS ON MY CAR. I CAN'T SEE MY ODOMETER, SHIFT COLUMN,ETC. I HAD TO TRAVEL A SIGNIFICANT DISTANCE TO GET THIS REPAIR SINCE THERE IS NO LONGER A MITSUBISHI DEALER WHERE I LIVE. NOW I HAVE TO GO ALL THE WAY BACK THERE AND SIT FOR ANOTHER 2.5 HOURS WHILE THEY TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY DID TO MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I'M NOT SURE I WANT THEM TO EVEN TOUCH MY CAR AGAIN.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
1 version rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Small Station Wagons
- Engines
- 2.4L 4-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic 4-spd
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancer Sportback Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
- 22mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback as of Oct 31, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 31, 2026Vehicle 1228
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2004 Lancer Sportback questions
How many recalls does the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 31, 2026.
What are the most common 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback problems?
Owners filed 8 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (5), visibility (2), exterior lighting (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback get?
The EPA rates the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback at 22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 31, 2026