Mitsubishi›Lancer›2004›2.0L/mitsubishi/lancer/2004/2-0l/

2004 Mitsubishi Lancer — 2.0L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Lancer 2.0L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.0LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0L is a passenger car built around a 2.0-liter engine paired with a four-speed automatic transmission, returning an EPA-rated 22 city / 28 highway / 24 combined mpg. That year sits within a model run documented from 1996 through 2017, and it follows immediately on the heels of 2003, which logged the highest complaint count in that span at 311 against an all-time low of just one complaint in 1996. With 80 total owner complaints and seven recalls—and air bags flagged as the most-reported issue—the 2004 model year represents a marked step down from the previous year's spike but still sits far above the early-run floor, framing it as a middling entry in the Lancer's long reliability arc.

Model year2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2004

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy22/28/24 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 520 CCA battery, OE oil filter MZ690072. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 520 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnSTOPOEM · verified

Tire sizeP185-65R14OEM · verified

Wheel / rim5.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	MZ690072
Engine air filter	MR552951
Fuel filter	MN135454 alt MR571545
Spark plug	MS851728 alt MS851357
Front wiper blades	MZ693015 alt 8250A536
Serpentine belt	4451A106 alt 4451A107
Thermostat	MD337408 alt MN143463
Cabin air filter	MR398288

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	180.7 in
Overall width	66.9 in
Overall height	53.9 in
Wheelbase	102.4 in
Curb weight	2657 lb
Track (front / rear)	57.1 / 57.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	62/38

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	22 / 28 / 24 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	94 cu ft
Cargo volume	11 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

No 2004 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

8.8–10.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.80 sec — 2002 O-Z Racing Rally Edition

120 hpHorsepower (as tested)

130 lb-ftTorque (as tested)

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2002	O-Z Racing Rally Edition 2.0L I-4	8.80 sec	16.60 sec	120 hp	FWD
2002	O-Z Racing Rally Edition 2.0L I-4	9.10 sec	17.10 sec	120 hp	FWD
2002	O-Z Racing Rally Edition 2.0L I-4	10.40 sec	17.90 sec	120 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	Mitsubishi Diamond Queen SP-III
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	8.1
Brake Fluid	DOT 3 · DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.3 Pints
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Manual Transmission Fluid	75W-80 · GL-4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity	4.7
Power Steering Fluid	Genuine Mitsubishi PS fluid

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	DOHC: 14 ft-lbs; SOHC:
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	15-21 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	98 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	29.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	65-80 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	23.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	23.0-25.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Spark Plug Torque	13.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing	5, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance	3 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPM	Idle rpm

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.06-1.15 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	2.0 L
Standard BCI Group Number	35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	520 cca

Service checks

Engine Compression	164-226 psi
Engine Compression	164-225 psi
Engine Oil Pressure	4.3 psi @ Idle, 43-100 psi @ 3500 rpm psi
Intake Valve Lash	Hydraulic in
Exhaust Valve Lash	Hydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	89-111 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	66-80 ft-lbs / 52-65 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket	74
Torque to Knuckle	66-80 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.080; Rear: 0.080 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.039 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.26 in / 0.87 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.26 in / 0.87 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-94

15 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Drive Belt (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 60,000 mi	Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2004 model sits after a sharp spike in complaints (155 in 2002 and 311 in 2003) and before a steady decline that reaches single‑digit levels by 2017. While complaints drop to 80 in 2004, the number of recalls (7) remains as high as the preceding year and investigations rise to two, matching the 2003 peak. Technical Service Bulletins stay elevated (91) but are already falling from the 96‑97 range of the early‑2000s, indicating the issue‑fix cycle is beginning to improve. The top complaint areas—Air Bags (17) and Visibility (16)—suggest lingering safety‑related concerns, though crash (7) and fire (3) reports are modest. Overall, 2004 is a transitional year where problem frequency is decreasing but recall activity is still relatively high, so buyers should weigh the modest safety complaints against the improving trend before deciding.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

7 involved a crash · 3 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’96 ’00 ’02 ’03’04’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 80 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags17

Visibility16

Unknown Or Other5

Vehicle Speed Control5

Engine & Engine Cooling5

Suspension4

Power Train4

Visibility,Equipment3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

04V428000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 01/09/2004

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… Remedy: MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL…

17V569000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 14/09/2017

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… Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with a different inflator, free of charge. The recall began on October 12, 2017…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 91 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
TIN-25-00-013	2025-11-10	Air Bags	This Technical Information Notice informs dealers that with permission from the Puerto…
TIN-25-00-011	2025-09-08	Air Bags	This Technical Information Notice informs dealers that with permission from the Texas…
TIN-25-00-004	2025-04-11	Air Bags	This Technical Information Notice informs dealers that with permission from the Louisiana…
TIN-25-00-005	2025-04-11	Air Bags	This Technical Information Notice informs dealers that with permission from the Ohio…
TIN-24-00-011	2024-12-09	Air Bags	This is a Technical Information Notice informing dealers that MMNA is launching a social…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Lancer. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 35 battery Engine oil filter MZ690072 Engine air filter MR552951 Fuel filter MN135454 Spark plug MS851728

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

Does the 2004 Lancer have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.0L get?

EPA figures are 22 city / 28 highway / 24 combined mpg.