VehicleVerdict

2006 Mitsubishi Lancer problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer sits mid-pack among Lancer years: 52 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 37, with 7 recalls and no defect investigations.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 17 reports (33% of the total).

52

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

0

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Lancer years?

See all Lancer years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags1733%
Suspension917%
Body & Structure510%
Brakes48%
Lighting48%
Speed Control36%
Other36%
Electrical System24%
Visibility & Wipers24%
Steering12%
Engine12%
Transmission12%

Does the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer have recalls?

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

18V220000AirbagsApril 5, 2018 · 17,120 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

17V569000AirbagsSeptember 14, 2017 · 66,001 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

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.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

06E064000LightingJuly 17, 2006 · 4,029 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

06E023000LightingMarch 13, 2006 · 292,000 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN EXTREME ACCIDENT AND ROLLOVER! 2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION - I HAVE PICTURES! VEHICLE HIT CURB, SPLIT TELEPHONE POLE, KNOCKED DOWN STREETLIGHT, STREET SIGN. 3 FOOT IMPACT ON SIDE, ALL PARTS OF CAR STRUCK- NO AIRBAG DEPLYMENT; NUMEROUS INJURIES! DRIVER HAS BROKEN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 18, 2007 · crash

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · August 1, 2019

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · August 1, 2019

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · January 29, 2018

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE BRAKE PEDAL DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY DURING DECELERATION. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT TURNED INTO A DRIVEWAY TO PARK THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. A POLICE REPORT WAS FAILED. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 6, 2008 · crash

2006 Mitsubishi Lancer — common questions

Is the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?

It is close to typical for the Lancer: 52 NHTSA complaints, 7 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2006 Lancer problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (17 complaints), suspension (9 complaints), body & structure (5 complaints).

Does the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mitsubishi Lancer years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Lancer years to avoid are 2003, 2002, 2009, 2008, 2004, 2010, 2005. The cleanest record among Lancer years belongs to 2000.

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.