2006 Mitsubishi Lancer: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 37 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (35% of complaints); the 2007 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2018
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 37 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“When doing routine repair on the control arms, it was noted that there is a ginormous rust hole in the subframe where the control arm connects to aforementioned subframe”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2022
“The contact owns a 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated while working on the vehicle, the contact noticed that there was a huge hole in the sub-frame due to rust. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and it was diagnosed that the sub-frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 196,000. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Structure · May 2021
“Rear frame rails rust close to points where the rear subframe is bolted on. Insufficient sealant/coating causes rust damage that can lead to structural weakness.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Rear chassis member (a frame rail) corroded close to the point where rear subframe is connected. It is now a safety concern to drive the vehicle as any significant impact may cause the rear suspension to detach. There was already a recall on rust of the front subframe however it seems that the problem is in inadequate undercarriage protection”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 mitsubishi lancer. The contact stated that he was unable to use the defroster, which prevented him from seeing out the window. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to auto gallery mitsubishi-corona (located at 2550 wardlow rd, corona, ca 92882, (951) 372-0008) where it was diagnosed that the temperature control unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 143,000.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Oct 2018
“Takata recall: I received a recall notice for my mother's car. The car was totaled more than 5 years ago, and my mother has been dead for a year and a half. Is there any way to have this VIN: [xxx], removed from databases? It is annoying and painful to receive mail concerning a wrecked car that belonged to my late mother.; thank you.; information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2018
“Recall.the front lower control arm detach at the cross-member. Sub fram snaped while driving over speed bump at 4 mph if that. On city st . I was on my way to go on express way when car wheel went crazy hurd loud boom like I hit son thing but I was only rolling over speed bump at aboutv4 miles cuz it was a big bump and did not want to mess my car up I did not even make it passes my back tiers. So led bump was now between the car and I could not move or tire was gonna come off. I was not speeding. I was in my way to go on express way. Me and my kids could of died.”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2018
“Over time the vehicles original headlamps have faded to a point where it is affecting driver visibility. This was not the case with glass fixtures many years ago. I have noticed this issue on many automobiles since the adoption of plastic headlamps. Based on performance, it is obvious plastic headlamps are causing issues with visibility and should be banned or at least examined for a better solution.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2018
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 mitsubishi lancer. The contact stated that an air bag warning indicator kept illuminating. The dealer (ron marhofer mitsubishi, 1260 main st b, cuyahoga falls, oh 44221, 1-(844) 627-2533) stated that there was no recall and did not provide diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 16v334000 (air bags) and 17v569000 (air bags). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. *tt *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2018
“Activation of a nondesiccated ammonium nitrate inflator with degraded propellant may result in an inflator rupture. An inflator rupture may cause metal fragments to pass through the air bag and into the vehicle interior at high speed, which may result in injury or death to vehicle occupants.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
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.
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. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-17-001. Note: This recall supersedes recall 15V-321.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Lancer and Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured June 29, 2005, to June 19, 2007, equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 19, 2016. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-002.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
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, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied or the front cross member will be replaced with a new one that has a sealing/anti-corrosion agent applied to it. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-003.
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
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 a new inflator under 15V321 or 17V569. These passenger side frontal air bag inflators may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to explode in the event of an air bag deployment.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will install a final replacement passenger side frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on April 26, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-005.
How other years compare
Check your exact Lancer by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?
NHTSA has 37 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer. The most complained-about area is air bags (35% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 100,000 miles or less.
Does the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.