Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

2004 vs 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 263 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▼ 71.3% fewer reports in the equal exposure window

2004 80 complaints 2005 23 complaints

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 2004 share 2005 share Share change
VISIBILITY 23.8% 4.4% ▼ 19.4 pts smaller share
AIR BAGS 21.3% 39.1% ▲ 17.9 pts larger share
ENGINE 8.8% not reported ▼ 8.8 pts smaller share
SERVICE BRAKES 2.5% 8.7% ▲ 6.2 pts larger share
WHEELS not reported 4.4% ▲ 4.4 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM not reported 4.4% ▲ 4.4 pts larger share
POWER TRAIN 7.5% 4.4% ▼ 3.2 pts smaller share
STEERING 1.3% 4.4% ▲ 3.1 pts larger share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1.3% 4.4% ▲ 3.1 pts larger share
SEAT BELTS 2.5% not reported ▼ 2.5 pts smaller share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 6.3% 8.7% ▲ 2.5 pts larger share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6.3% 8.7% ▲ 2.5 pts larger share
TIRES 1.3% not reported ▼ 1.3 pts smaller share
SUSPENSION 5.0% 4.4% ▼ 0.7 pts smaller share
STRUCTURE 3.8% 4.4% ▲ 0.6 pts larger share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 45.0% 34.8% ▼ 10.2 pts smaller share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

2004 7

Campaign components: AIR BAGS, EQUIPMENT, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, and SUSPENSION

2005 6

Campaign components: AIR BAGS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, and SUSPENSION

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
3 → 0
◆ Injuries
4 → 1