VehicleVerdict

2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 29 complaints on file for the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

29

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Lancer Evolution years?

Lancer Evolution NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted116 complaints2003: 116 complaints2004: 0 complaints2005: 22 complaints2006: 29 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 57 complaints2009: 2 complaints2010: 43 complaints2011: 19 complaints2012: 4 complaints2013: 4 complaints2014: 13 complaints2015: 5 complaints
Lancer Evolution NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Lancer Evolution years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1345%
Brakes310%
Suspension310%
Transmission310%
Body & Structure27%
Electrical System27%
Speed Control13%
Steering13%
Other13%

Does the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V458000SuspensionJune 23, 2016 · 194,674 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

16V334000AirbagsMay 23, 2016 · 38,628 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THIS IS A VERY WELL DOCUMENTED AND KNOWN ISSUE AMONGST EVOLUTION GEN 9 OWNERS. THE OEM TIMING BELT BRACKET TENSIONER WAS MADE INCORRECT AND CAUSES THE TIMING BELT TO RUB AGAINST METAL. THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN A REPLACEMENT BRACKET MADE THAT CORRECTS THE ISSUE BUT I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 10, 2014

“THERE IS AN ACTIVE CENTER DIFFERENTIAL PUMP FAILURE THAT IS BECOMING COMMON IN ALL LANCER EVOLUTIONS OF THIS YEAR. MINE WENT OUT LAST YEAR AND I HAVE BEEN HAVING TO DRIVE WITH IT FOR A YEAR NOW NOT KNOWING WHETHER THE DIFFERENTIAL IS CORRODING AT AN ACCELERATED RATE OF NOT. I DID THIS BECAUSE AFTER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 1, 2013

“REAR SUBFRAME WHERE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND SUSPENSION BOLTS ONTO IS RUSTED, JUST LIKE THE FRONT SUBFRAME . MANY OWNERS 2003-2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. MITSUBISHI RECENTLY ISSUED A RECALL ON THE FRONT SUBFRAME DUE TO RUST. THE REAR SUBFRAME IS ALSO A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · October 14, 2018

“I WAS HEADING TO A CLASS WHEN I NOTICED MY CLUTCH PEDAL WENT ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE CLUTCH WAS STILL DISENGAGING/ENGAGING WHEN I SHIFTED SO I MADE IT TO MY DESTINATION. I WAS WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING IT BUT I DECIDED TO TRY AND SEE IF IT WAS STILL DOING IT, SO I TRIED TO BACK OUT OF A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 17, 2015

“REAR SUBFRAME WHERE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND SUSPENSION BOLTS ONTO IS RUSTED, JUST LIKE THE FRONT SUBFRAME . MANY OWNERS 2003-2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. MITSUBISHI RECENTLY ISSUED A RECALL ON THE FRONT SUBFRAME DUE TO RUST. THE REAR SUBFRAME IS ALSO A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · October 14, 2018

2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution — common questions

Is the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution reliable?

The record is thin — 29 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2006 Lancer Evolution problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (13 complaints), brakes (3 complaints), transmission (3 complaints).

Does the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Lancer Evolution years to avoid are 2003, 2008, 2010. The cleanest record among Lancer Evolution years belongs to 2007.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.