2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution — 2.0L

The 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution sits at the very beginning of this generation's federal record with just 2 complaints, 1 recall, and 31 TSBs — the lowest or near-lowest figures across every category in the dataset. From this quiet baseline, complaints climb steadily through 2005 (16) and 2006 (34), dip to zero in 2007, then surge dramatically to a peak of 79 complaints and 7 recalls in 2010, with TSBs more than quadrupling from 31 to 131 over that same span. This arc suggests that issues accumulated across the generation rather than being concentrated at launch, with the heaviest problem density appearing in the 2008–2011 window. The 2004's two complaints cover Visibility/Equipment and Suspension, with zero crash or fire complaints recorded; the data does not specify root causes for any of these entries. Taken together, the 2004 model year represents the calmest point in a generation that grew progressively more burdened by federal complaints and recalls over time, making it a comparatively attractive used buy — provided a pre-purchase inspection addresses the suspension area flagged in the limited complaint record.