RoadVitals

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
14
Latest Jan 30, 2017
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Jun 23, 2016
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 14 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, most frequently naming the steering, suspension and body & structure categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 41 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Steering420.0%
  • Suspension420.0%
  • Body & structure210.0%
  • Transmission210.0%
  • Airbags210.0%
  • Tires & wheels15.0%
  • Visibility15.0%
  • Brakes15.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
16V458000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

Jun 23, 2016
194,674 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.Manufacturer number SR-16-003View on NHTSA.gov
05V335000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS

Jul 27, 2005
1,179 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE TURBO CHARGER COOLANT HOSE WAS INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED, AND MAY ALLOW COOLANT LEAKAGE.
The risk: IF A LEAK OCCURS, DURING VEHICLE OPERATION WHEN THE MANIFOLD IS HOT, COOLANT MAY IGNITE AND CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TURBO CHARGER COOLANT HOSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 888-648-7820.
MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC.Manufacturer number SR-05-004View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 14
AirbagsSuspension
Filed Jan 30, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V321000 (AIR BAGS) FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG INFLATOR AND 16V458000 (SUSPENSION) FOR THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
10948519
Incident
May 31, 2016
Body & structure
Filed Dec 31, 2016

FOUND EXCESSIVE RUST CAUSING STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO REAR UNI BODY FRAME SIDE MEMBERS. APPEARS TO HAVE RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT, SIMILAR TO THEIR CURRENT FRONT SUB FRAME RUST RECALL. AT THIS TIME NO ACCIDENTS/ DAMAGE CAUSED BUT LIKELY WILL RESULT IN UNI BODY WEAKENING AND POSSIBLE SUSPENSION/ STRUCTURAL FAILURE

NHTSA ID
10938875
Incident
Dec 30, 2016
Mileage
95,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 28, 2016

WHILE DRIVING I HAD ALL 3 ACD LIGHTS COME ON. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATING AND A TRIP TO THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD MY ACD PUMP WAS BAD AND I WOULD NEED A NEW ONE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE CARS THAT STILL HASN'T BEEN FIXED WITH THE NEWER MODELS. I WAS QUOTED 2400 DOLLARS JUST FOR THE PUMP, NOT INCLUDING LABOR, AND THAT DOESN'T GUARANTEE THAT IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10928414
Incident
Jun 21, 2015
Mileage
60,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Nov 25, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY UNSTABLE AND PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED SEVERE OVERSTEERING WHEN TURNING. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS FAULTY DUE TO CORROSION AND RUSTING OF THE SUBFRAME. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000 (SUSPENSION) IN WHICH AN ANTI-CORROSION AGENT WAS APPLIED, BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000.

NHTSA ID
10927874
Incident
Nov 1, 2016
Mileage
187,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Nov 22, 2016

LOWER CONTROL ARM LOOSE / DISCONNECTED FROM SUBFRAME, CAUSING STABILITY AND CONTROL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN UNSAFE OPERATION AT ANY SPEED AND AT ANY TIME WHICH THE VEHICLE IA BEING OPERATED.THE SOCKET ON THE SUBFRAME HAS DEEP RUST AND AN IRREGULAR HOLE VISIBLE. BOB PENKHUS MITSUBISHI REFUSES TO PERFORM THE RECALL WHICH ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE OF CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME, SPECIFICALLY WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHES TO THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
10927500
Incident
Oct 15, 2016
Mileage
187,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalVisibility
Filed May 10, 2012

THE SRS AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, THE WIPERS WON'T STOP RUNNING. THE HORN STARTS ON ITSELF. ALL IS RELATED TO WATER ENTERING IN THE INNER FENDER, SHORTING ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS. THIS HAPPENS WHEN IT'S RAINY OUTSIDE. THIS HAPPENS TO EVERY EVOLUTION OWNER THAT I KNOW. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A RISK WITH AIR BAGS NOT WORKING CAUSED BY THAT, BUT THAT HIGHLY CONCERNS ME. IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT, I WOULD WANT TO BE SURE THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY... THANKS FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10457996
Incident
Mar 15, 2011
Mileage
70,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 19, 2008

MY CAR WAS PURCHASED ON 11/23/05. ONE WEEK AFTER PURCHASE, SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT MY OIL WAS REALLY LOW AND ADDED A QUART OF OIL. HE ADVISED ME TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL REGULARLY. I NOTICED THAT I HAD TO ADD A QUART OF OIL EVERY 1,000 MILES OR SO. I VOICED MY CONCERN TO THE SERVICE MANAGER WHEN I HAD MY FIRST OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD THAT "A QUART OF OIL LOSS PER 1,000 MILES IS NORMAL". I CHECKED MY OIL REGULARLY TO AVOID ANY PROBLEMS UNTIL ONE DAY, I FOUND OUT ABOUT OIL CONSUMPTION TESTS. I TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT IT AND HE ARRANGED TO HAVE IT DONE ON MY NEXT OIL CHANGE. THE FIRST OIL CONSUMPTION TEST REVEALED ABNORMAL RESULTS WHICH PROMPTED THEM TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. ANOTHER OIL CONSUMPTION TEST WAS DONE AND IT SHOWED A MORE FAVORABLE RESULT. I CHECK THE OIL LEVEL REGULARLY AND STILL NOTICE THAT I ADD A QUART OF OIL EVERY 1,000 MILES. I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT IT AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NORMAL. I WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER TO HAVE THE OIL CONSUMPTION CHECKED. THE FIRST OIL CONSUMPTION TEST REVEALED A QUART OF OIL LOSS PER 1000 MILES AND THE SECOND TEST REVEALED AN ABNORMAL RESULT OF A QUART AND A QUARTER OIL LOSS PER 1000 MILES. I WAS THEN TOLD BY THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE TO CONTACT MITSUBISHI CORPORATE OFFICE TO REPORT THE RESULT. NOW I'M ASKING FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN SOLVING THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID
10231547
Incident
May 2, 2007
Brakes
Filed Jan 12, 2007

TURNED WARPED BRAKE ROTOR. PROBLEM CAME BACK, UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO POOR HANDLING WHEN BRAKING. *JB

NHTSA ID
10178574
Incident
Jan 11, 2007

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

DEALER LETTER

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 3rd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.

SR-18-005REV

AIR BAGS

This is a revised Safety Recall bulletin sent to dealers informing them of new Takata inflator return procedures.

SR-17-004REV

AIR BAGS

This is a revised Safety Recall bulletin sent to dealers informing them of new Takata inflator return procedures.

TSB-23-00-004

STRUCTURE

This Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of rap-film adhesive residue.

TSB-23-00-001

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This Technical Service Bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the reduction in load carrying capacity be affixed to vehicles when the total net weight of accessories is more than 1.5 percent of the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or 100 lbs.

DEALER LETTER

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 2nd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2015321—
2014621—
2013411—
2012310—
2011113039.4
2010285045.8
2009250—
2008364042.8
2007010—
2006242038.6
2005Viewing142047.7
2004010—
2003982043.6

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.