Common Problems, Issues, Recalls, and Reliability

  • The automatic transmission may fail prematurely

    The automatic transmission may fail prematurely. Transmission overhaul or replacement may be necessary to correct this concern.

  • No Start and/or Stalling Condition Due to Faulty Crankshaft Posiiton Sensor

    The crankshaft position sensor may fail causing a stalling can/or no start condition. Replacing the faulty crankshaft position sensor should correct this condition.

  • The Clutch May Failure Prematurely

    The clutch may fail prematurely requiring replacement. It has been recommended by some that a high quality aftermarket replacement clutch may provide increased longevity over a clutch purchased from the dealer.

  • Sticky Temperature Knob

    The heating, ventilation and AC ( HVAC ) temperature control knob may be hard to turn. Mitsubishi Motors has released a service bulletin outlining the necessary repairs. Repairs involve installing a new air blend door lever and link, lubing the blend door track, and installing a filter on top of the blower motor housing to prevent entry of dirt and debris. If the temperature control assembly has been damaged it will require replacement also.

  • Airbags May Not Deploy as Expected

    There have been reports of airbags not deploying in the event of a frontal impact. Some claim that a shorted airbag wire harness can cause this to occur. Unfortunately there is no diagnoses that will isolate this problem other than fault codes stored in the airbag control module. Our technicians recommend to have any airbag light issues diagnosed and repaired in order to help ensure the airbags will deploy when needed.

  • Hard or no start condition due to worn camshaft sensor support

    A hard or no start condition with fault codes P0335 and/or P0340 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM) may be due to abnormal wear of the camshaft position sensor support. Our technicians tell us a revised sensor support is available to correct this issue.

  • The Clutch May Failure Prematurely

    The clutch may fail prematurely requiring replacement. It has been recommended by some that a high quality aftermarket replacement clutch may provide increased longevity over a clutch purchased from the dealer.

  • The clear coat paint may peel

    It is not uncommon for the clear coat paint to develop white spots and begin peeling. In most cases Mitsubishi will not cover out of warranty repairs for this condition.

  • Engine Overheating Due to Failed Cooling Fan Controller

    An engine overheating condition may develop due to a failed radiator cooling fan controller. The failed controller should be replaced to correct this issue.

  • Check Engine Light Due to Code P0181

    The Check Engine Light may illuminate with a stored code P0181. Our technicians tell us the fuel level sensor may be at fault requiring replacement.

  • No Start and/or Stalling Condition Due to Faulty Crankshaft Posiiton Sensor

    The crankshaft position sensor may fail causing a stalling can/or no start condition. Replacing the faulty crankshaft position sensor should correct this condition.

  • The automatic transmission may fail prematurely

    The automatic transmission may fail prematurely. Transmission overhaul or replacement may be necessary to correct this concern.

  • The clear coat paint may peel

    t is not uncommon for the clear coat paint to develop white spots and begin peeling. In most cases Mitsubishi will not cover out of warranty repairs for this condition.

  • Airbags May Not Deploy as Expected

    There have been reports of airbags not deploying in the event of a frontal impact. Some claim that a shorted airbag wire harness can cause this to occur. Unfortunately there is no diagnoses that will isolate this problem other than fault codes stored in the airbag control module. Our technicians recommend to have any airbag light issues diagnosed and repaired in order to help ensure the airbags will deploy when needed.

  • HVAC Temperature Knob Hard to Turn

    The heating, ventilation and AC ( HVAC ) temperature control knob may be hard to turn. Mitsubishi Motors has released a service bulletin out outlining the necessary repairs. Repairs involve installing a new air blend door lever and link, lubing the blend door track, and installing a filter on top of the blower motor housing to prevent entry of dirt and debris. If the temperature control assembly has been damaged it will require replacement also.

2003 Questions and Answers

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2003 Maintenance and Repair