2005 Mitsubishi Lancer
Only 24 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
Only 24 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2002 | 148 |
| 2003 | 199 |
| 2004 | 80 |
| 2005 | 24 |
| 2006 | 37 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 91 |
| 2009 | 98 |
| 2010 | 51 |
| 2011 | 34 |
| 2012 | 19 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 16 |
| 2015 | 23 |
| 2016 | 30 |
| 2017 | 6 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Only 24 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
10 of 24 total reports mention: air bags, most commonly citing frontal.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THREE DEER.
NHTSA ODI report, 20100426
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. SHE SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20070924
I PURCHASED A 2005 LANCER AND MY DECISION FOR THE PURCHASE WAS BECAUSE OF THE 4 AIR BAGS. I TOTALED THE CAR AND ALL FOUR AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR WAS TOTALED ON 6-3-07 WITH ALOT OF DAMAGE TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20070620
2 of 24 total reports mention: suspension.
Show complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE FRONT UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20181126
Also filed under STRUCTURE
2 of 24 total reports mention: vehicle speed control, most commonly citing accelerator pedal.
Show complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, SHE NOTICES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE BY UTILIZING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120629
2 of 24 total reports mention: structure, most commonly citing body.
2 of 24 total reports mention: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
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.
Campaign 06E023000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members.
Campaign 16V458000 — check if this car was fixed
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Lancer and Lancer Evolution vehicles and 2004 Lancer Sportback vehicles.
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.
Campaign 17V569000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 18V220000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
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.
Campaign 06E064000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2005 Mitsubishi Lancer — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (10 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (2 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (2 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 06E064000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E023000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V458000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V569000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V220000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 42% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.