Mitsubishi Lancer

Name: 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer
Brand: Mitsubishi

EPA MPG: 26 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 26 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There are 6 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 6 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 6 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 6 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

This version of the Lancer was a new design that didn’t measure up to its competitors. Traits include slow acceleration, clumsy handling and a ride that is not well controlled. Further, uncomfortable seats and a noisy cabin undermine the spacious accommodations. This car also received a Poor in the IIHS side-crash test.

2003 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

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100

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Mitsubishi Lancer

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Toyota Corolla

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

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Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Mitsubishi vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Mitsubishi vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Mitsubishi vs. Other New Car Brands

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2003 Small sedans/hatchbacks Ratings

2003 Mitsubishi Lancer

$2,850 - $11,050

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser

$2,775 - $2,825

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Ford Focus

$2,925 - $4,150

EPA MPG 28 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Honda Civic

$2,975 - $4,900

EPA MPG 34 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Honda Civic Hybrid

$ NA

EPA MPG 40 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Honda Insight

$3,300

EPA MPG 65 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Hyundai Accent

$2,850 - $2,925

EPA MPG 29 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Hyundai Elantra

$2,775 - $3,075

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Kia Rio

$2,850 - $2,875

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Kia Spectra

$2,725 - $2,750

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Mazda Protege

$3,050 - $4,625

EPA MPG 27 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Mini Cooper

$3,075 - $3,375

EPA MPG 31 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Nissan Sentra

$2,950 - $3,200

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Pontiac Vibe

$3,100 - $3,350

EPA MPG 30 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Saturn Ion

$2,775 - $2,825

EPA MPG 27 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Subaru Impreza

$3,025 - $5,225

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Toyota Corolla

$4,050 - $4,325

EPA MPG 32 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Toyota Matrix

$3,500 - $4,200

EPA MPG 28 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Toyota Prius

$3,400

EPA MPG 49 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Volkswagen Beetle

$ NA

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Volkswagen Golf

$3,075 - $4,375

EPA MPG 45 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Volkswagen Jetta

$2,825 - $4,550

EPA MPG 38 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

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Features & Specs

wagon

sedan

2 front, 3 rear

AWD, Front

2-liter 4 (120 hp)
2-liter 4 turbo (271 hp)
2.4-liter 4 (160 hp)

5-speed manual
4-speed automatic

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In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

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Model History

2008-2017

2008 Redesign Year

The 2008 Lancer redesign brought great improvements, including a decent ride and fairly agile handling. Its 2.0-liter four-cylinder has good acceleration, but the engine is sluggish from a stop, tends to moan at high revs, and returns uncompetitive fuel economy. The cabin is furnished with drab plastics, but the controls are simple to use. The sporty, AWD Ralliart is quick and agile. But it's also noisier, has a stiff ride, and its automated manual transmission is annoying during all but the most spirited drives. The high-performance Lancer Evolution is a turbocharged all-wheel-drive rally car for the road. It's furiously fast, but grating to live with on a daily basis for drivers who aren't willing to compromise comfort for performance. The Lancer has been discontinued for 2018.

2002-2007

2002 Redesign Year

This iteration of the Lancer is an unimpressive compact sedan. Slow, with clumsy handling and poor ride quality, the model trailed the compact sedan field of its day. While the interior is spacious, the seats are uncomfortable and noise levels are quite high. The model also earned a Poor ranking in IIHS side-crash testing.