Sell your 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer for cash

The 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer is a wagon that came with a choice of 2.0L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl engines. At 22 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

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2004 Mitsubishi Lancer at a glance

Body styleCompact Cars, Small Station Wagons
Engines2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl (turbocharged versions available)
TransmissionsAutomatic 4-spd, Manual 5-spd
DriveFront-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
FuelRegular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
Fuel economy16–24 city / 23–32 highway / 19–27 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$2,500–$4,350 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂329–468 grams per mile
Versions tested by EPA6 configurations: Lancer, Lancer Evolution, Lancer Sportback
Age22 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 22 years old, most of a 2004 Lancer's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
  • Weight: as a wagon, it weighs less than a truck or SUV, so its value leans more on parts than on scrap weight. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2004 Lancer. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the air bags, typically around 49,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

2004 Mitsubishi Lancer recalls

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls covering the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

Air BagsApr 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V220000

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles that previously received a like-for-like passenger side frontal air bag inflator under recall 15V321 as interim remedy. Also recalled are 2004-2006 Lancer vehicles located in Guam or Saipan that previously received or never received…

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Air BagsSep 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V569000

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Lancer and Lancer Evolution vehicles and 2004 Lancer Sportback vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

SuspensionJun 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V458000

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2002-2007 Lancer, 2004 Lancer Wagon, 2003-2006 Lancer Evolution, 2003-2006 Outlander and 2007-2013 Outlander V-6 vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts…

Risk: A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

EquipmentSep 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V428000

Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, 'occupant crash protection.' the bilingual english/spanish removable air bag warning labels affixed to the dash and to the sunvisor do not meet the size requirements of the standard.

Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.

Common 2004 Lancer problems

Owners have filed 83 complaints about the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer with NHTSA. 7 reports involved a crash and 3 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 4 injuries.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

  • Air Bags21
  • Visibility10
  • Visibility7
  • Electrical System6
  • Suspension6
  • Unknown or Other5

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Air Bags49,000 mi
  • Visibility90,000 mi
  • Visibility75,000 mi
  • Electrical System45,000 mi
  • Suspension148,000 mi
  • Unknown or Other182,000 mi

2004 Mitsubishi Lancer service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 91 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Air Bags34
  • Engine and Engine Cooling10
  • Equipment6
  • Equipment6
  • Power Train4
  • Service Brakes4

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsNov 2025 · TIN-25-00-013

    This Technical Information Notice informs dealers that with permission from the Puerto Rico Traffic Safety Commission, notification letters are being sent to vehicle owne

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsSep 2025 · TIN-25-00-011

    This Technical Information Notice informs dealers that with permission from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), notification letters are being sent to vehicle o

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsApr 2025 · TIN-25-00-004

    This Technical Information Notice informs dealers that with permission from the Louisiana Motor Vehicle Division, notification letters are being sent to vehicle owners wi

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsApr 2025 · TIN-25-00-005

    This Technical Information Notice informs dealers that with permission from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicle, notification letters are being sent to vehicle owners with O

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJul 2023 · DEALER LETTER

    This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 3rd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsApr 2023 · TSB-23-00-001

    This Technical Service Bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the reduction in load carrying capacity be affixed to vehicles when the total net wei

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA opened 2 defect investigations covering the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer.

Air BagsEA15001 · opened Feb 2015, openLed to recall 14V668

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were

Air BagsPE14016 · opened Jun 2014, closed Mar 2015Led to recall 13V172000

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were

Other Mitsubishi Lancer years

‹ Sell a 2003 Lancer · Sell a 2005 Lancer › · All Mitsubishi Lancer years

Other 2004 Mitsubishi models

Selling a 2004 Lancer: questions

How much is a 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 2004 Lancer that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 2004 Lancers that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 2004 Lancer with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 2004 Lancer?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Before you sell

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

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