MYRModel Year Report

2006 Mitsubishi Lancer

▲ Better than typical
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:45:06.155Z

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
37
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2006

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Air bags

46% of complaints

Complaints per year

1996: 1 complaint 1996 2000: 1 complaint 2002: 148 complaints 2003: 199 complaints 2003 2004: 80 complaints 2005: 24 complaints 2006: 37 complaints 2006 37 2007: 2 complaints 2008: 91 complaints 2009: 98 complaints 2009 2010: 51 complaints 2011: 34 complaints 2012: 19 complaints 2012 2013: 5 complaints 2014: 16 complaints 2015: 23 complaints 2015 2016: 30 complaints 2017: 6 complaints
1996: 1 complaint 1996 2000: 1 complaint 2002: 148 complaints 2002 2003: 199 complaints 2004: 80 complaints 2004 2005: 24 complaints 2006: 37 complaints 2006 37 2007: 2 complaints 2008: 91 complaints 2008 2009: 98 complaints 2010: 51 complaints 2010 2011: 34 complaints 2012: 19 complaints 2012 2013: 5 complaints 2014: 16 complaints 2014 2015: 23 complaints 2016: 30 complaints 2016 2017: 6 complaints
1996: 1 complaint 1996 2000: 1 complaint 2000 2002: 148 complaints 2002 2003: 199 complaints 2003 2004: 80 complaints 2004 2005: 24 complaints 2005 2006: 37 complaints 2006 37 2007: 2 complaints 2007 2008: 91 complaints 2008 2009: 98 complaints 2009 2010: 51 complaints 2010 2011: 34 complaints 2011 2012: 19 complaints 2012 2013: 5 complaints 2013 2014: 16 complaints 2014 2015: 23 complaints 2015 2016: 30 complaints 2016 2017: 6 complaints 2017

2006: 37 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19961
20001
2002148
2003199
200480
200524
200637
20072
200891
200998
201051
201134
201219
20135
201416
201523
201630
20176

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

46% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show 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, 2007-03-22

Activation of a nondesiccated ammonium nitrate inflator with degraded propellant may result in an inflator rupture.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-06

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, 2014-10-06

Suspension

24% · 9 reports

Structure

14% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing body and underbody shields.

Exterior lighting

11% · 4 reports

Service brakes

11% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Applied brake, brakes failed to stop vehicle, instead vehicle sped up causing collision.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-06-08

Also filed under Vehicle speed control

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2006-05-09Exterior lighting06E023000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2016-07-19Air bags16V334000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2016-09-14Suspension16V458000 Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

    Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2017-10-12Air bags17V569000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2018-04-26Air bags18V220000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    Date not on fileExterior lighting06E064000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2006 Mitsubishi Lancer — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 17 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 9 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 5 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06E064000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E023000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 16V334000 · Air bags
  • Recall 16V458000 · Suspension
  • Recall 17V569000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V220000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 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 46% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.