Six problems related to windshield have been reported for the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer based on all problems reported for the 2003 Lancer.
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.
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.
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.
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.
At night driving in heavy rain, unable to turn off air conditioner and switch on windshield defrost because heater, temperature dial broke off.
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.