2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Review
Price Estimate:Â $430 - $716





+24
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Roomy cabin, relaxed and quiet at freeway speeds, smooth ride.
Cons
- Underpowered engine, ABS and side airbags only available on LS version.
What’s new
Midway through the year, Mitsubishi will unleash its Lancer Evolution, a rally racing-inspired road burner that sends 271 horsepower through all four of its 17-inch wheels.
Edmunds says
The Lancer is a solid vehicle, but aside from its roomy cabin and comfortable ride, there's little reason to recommend it over other more entertaining rivals.
For sale nearby
6 listings
- 136,329 miles
- No accidents, 3 owners, personal use only
- 4cyl automatic
- Best Auto Buy (263 mi away)
- Rear Bench Seats
Close
Located in Las Vegas, NV
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
24 Combined MPG (21 City/28 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JA3AJ26E43U082598
Stock: JA3AJ26E43U082598
Certified Pre-Owned: No- 189,040 miles
- 3 accidents, 4 owners, rental vehicle
- 4cyl automatic
- Quality Auto Dealer (639 mi away)
- Rear Bench Seats
Close
Located in Hayward, CA
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
24 Combined MPG (21 City/28 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JA3AJ26E93U017276
Stock: QAD17276
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 09-07-2024
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer ES 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.34 per gallon for regular unleaded in Arizona.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Arizona
$160/mo  for Lancer ES
Lancer ES
vs
$165/mo
Avg. Compact Car
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Mitsubishi Lancer Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(66%)
4(22%)
3(10%)
2(0%)
1(2%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
200,000 miles and still rolling smooth
3.5 out of 5 starsimanilove, 07/14/2012
2003 Mitsubishi Lancer ES 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
I'm a second owner, I had this car for over 6 years now. This car has been through the ringer and has been dogged out. Like most cars some issues have arisen such as the tie rods, and timing belt which I think is quite normal for a car with 200,000 miles. Other than that I just kept up on regular with oil changes and it's still riding strong. I would recommend a lancer to anyone looking … for a long lasting car. It's certainly not a luxury car but it's a damn good car.
GREAT CAR!
4.63 out of 5 starsashleemays, 09/11/2014
2003 Mitsubishi Lancer ES 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
I've had my Lancer for over a year and so far I've loved it, it has only broke down on me one time the camshaft sensor went out than my battery went out but other than that it's been a great car. I did notice that people have been saying that they had problems with the temperature knob I have too ever since I bought the car!
Watch for the heater/air switch
4.88 out of 5 starsjen, 08/28/2010
2003 Mitsubishi Lancer ES 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
I seen a review above me about the heater knob not turning to air conditioning. So I decided to chime in. I had the same issue and so did all 3 of my friends who own the same year lancer. Never on recall and they refused to fix it. 3k was the estimate. I traded it in this year got 2,200 trade because of the knob. It also had issues with the timing belt I had to replace it 2x's under … 100k. Transmission started slipping at 90k. Lighted mirror cover broke off. Don't let me deter you. Im sure some of that wear and tear was my fault. Light bulbs burned out quite often watch for water under hood. Drives beautifully in snow. Drove through snow storm, 1 ft deep snow and icy wipers and all.
Great Car
4.5 out of 5 starsryans93, 02/20/2012
2003 Mitsubishi Lancer O-Z Rally 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
We have owned the Lancer since it was new and it has been a fantastic car. It still looks great, gets good gas mileage, is fun to drive, and little has gone wrong with it. The build quality is excellent and the interior has held up extremely well with almost no rattles and still tight after 9 years and 150k. Other than regular maintenance, few problems have arisen on the car, and it's … been very reliable.
2003 Lancer Highlights
ES
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $14,017 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 26 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $160/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 11.3 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver2 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalPoor
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintMarginal
Related Used 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Jeep Grand Cherokee 2021 Review
- Toyota Highlander 2020 Review
- BMW X5 2021 Review
- Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 2020 Review
- Audi S8 2020 Review
Shop similar models
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Mitsubishi Lancer 2010
- Used Mitsubishi Lancer 2011
- Used Mitsubishi Lancer 2012 For Sale
- Used Mitsubishi Lancer 2013
- Used Mitsubishi Lancer 2014
- Used Mitsubishi Lancer 2015
- Used Mitsubishi Lancer 2016
- Used Mitsubishi Lancer 2017
- Used Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 2010
- Used Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 2011
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2024 e-tron GT
- 2024 GLK-Class
- New Jeep Wagoneer L
- 2024 Subaru Impreza
- 2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV
- Nissan Sentra 2024
- 2024 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
- 2024 Ford Mustang
- Lexus IS 2024
Research other models of Mitsubishi
- Mitsubishi Outlander 2025
- New Mitsubishi Mirage
- 2025 Outlander PHEV
- Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2025
- 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
- 2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
- Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 2024
- New Mitsubishi Outlander
- 2024 Mirage G4
- Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2024
Research similar vehicles
Other models
- Used Audi R8 in Bettendorf, IA 2023
- Used Toyota Camry-Hybrid in Colonial Heights, VA 2024
- New Genesis G90 for Sale in Denham Springs, LA
- Used Lexus RX-330 in Wills Point, TX 2006
- Used Volvo V90-Cross-Country in Williston, ND 2025
- Used Nissan Murano-Crosscabriolet in Bloomington, IL 2014
- Used Toyota Fj-Cruiser in Mentor, OH 2014
- New Fiat 500E for Sale in Pico Rivera, CA
- Used Dodge Stratus in Farmersville, TX 2006
- New Volkswagen Id-Buzz for Sale in South Burlington, VT