2003 Ford Focus vs 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2003 Ford Focus | 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 977 | 199 |
| Recall campaigns | 1 | 2 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 109 | 77 |
| Investigations | 1 | 1 |
| Crash reports | 52 | 13 |
| Fire reports | 17 | 1 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 20–27 | 23–26 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 57,019 mi | 51,680 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Ford Focus | Mitsubishi Lancer |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 522 | 12 |
| Power Train | 48 | 51 |
| Visibility | 25 | 71 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 82 | 0 |
| Steering | 73 | 6 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 60 | 5 |
| Suspension | 49 | 10 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 51 | 5 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 60 | 6 |
| Rust / corrosion | 22 | 8 |
| Won’t start | 20 | 0 |
| Vibration / shaking | 19 | 0 |
| Hesitation / surging | 9 | 6 |
| Brake problems | 7 | 0 |
| Electrical failures | 7 | 0 |
| Clunking / rattling | 7 | 0 |
2003 Ford Focus
2003 Mitsubishi Lancer
Compare all Ford Focus vs Mitsubishi Lancer years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.