2006 Mitsubishi Lancer
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
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.
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 | 29 |
| 2017 | 6 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
43% of complaints: air bags — 16 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20070322
ACTIVATION OF A NONDESICCATED AMMONIUM NITRATE INFLATOR WITH DEGRADED PROPELLANT MAY RESULT IN AN INFLATOR RUPTURE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171106
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20141006
24% of complaints: suspension — 9 distinct reports on file.
11% of complaints: structure — 4 distinct reports on file.
11% of complaints: exterior lighting — 4 distinct reports on file.
8% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 3 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
APPLIED BRAKE, BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE, INSTEAD VEHICLE SPED UP CAUSING COLLISION.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180608
WHEN I WAS IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT MY INTERVENTION, WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FURTHER. I HAD TO APPLIED THE MANUAL BRAKE AND PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL.
NHTSA ODI report, 20150119
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
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
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.
Campaign 16V334000 — check if this car was fixed
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
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (16 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (9 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for structure issues (4 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 16V334000 (air bags) 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 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 43% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.