2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Steering420.0%
- Suspension420.0%
- Body & structure210.0%
- Transmission210.0%
- Airbags210.0%
- Tires & wheels15.0%
- Visibility15.0%
- Brakes15.0%
- Electrical15.0%
- Engine15.0%
- Powertrain (other)15.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
FRONT BEARINGS ARE LOOSE CAUSING ERRATIC STEERING, PREMATURE TIRE WEAR AND PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION, AND TWO MONTHS LATER @ 1847 MILES, THE CLUTCH WENT OUT. MITSUBISHI REFUSED TO WARRANTY REPAIR THE FAILURE, SO I STARTED INVESTIGATING THEIR CLUTCHES. IT TURNS OUT SIX LOCAL REPAIR SHOPS AS WELL AS 4 MITSUBISHI TECHNICIANS ADVISED ME THE CLUTCHES ARE WEAK/DEFECTIVE FROM THE FACTORY, AND MITSUBISHI IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM ON MY MODEL, BUT REFUSES TO RECALL THEM OR REPAIR THEM. I ALSO WENT ON-LINE AND FOUND SEVERAL WEB-SITE COMPLAINTS ABOUT EVOLUTION CLUTCHES, INCLUDING "WWW.MITSUBISHISUCKS.COM" I CONTACTED MITSUBISHI'S CONSUMER COMPLAINT DEPT, WHO GENERATED FILE#[XXX] AND I WAS NEVER CONTACTED AGAIN. THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR PRODUCT FAILURE! MY VIN# [XXX]. I ENDED UP HAVING TO PAY $606.80 TO DAYTONA MITSUBISHI OR THEY WOULD NOT GIVE ME MY CAR BACK! THEY HEAD SERVICE MANAGER RON, TOLD ME "ITS A LITTLE CAR, WITH TOO MUCH POWER, SO MITSUBISHI HAD TO DESIGN IT IN A WAY WHERE SOMETHING WOULD HAVE TO BREAK, AND UNFORTUNATELY ITS THE CLUTCH". WITH HUNDREDS OF EXISTING COMPLAINTS, I WOULD RESPECTFULLY REQUEST MITSUBISHI HAVE TO RECALL ALL LANCER EVOLUTION CLUTCHES, AND REPLACE THEM WITH A UNIT THAT WILL NOT FAIL. *JB UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I OWN A 2005 MITSUBISHI EVOLUTION LANCER THAT HAS 9,661 MILES ON IT AND THE CLUTCH IS ALREADY NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. MITSUBISHI ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM THAT DATES BACK TO THE 2003 LANCER, BUT YET THEY STILL REFUSE TO CONFRONT THE ISSUE AND TAKE CARE OF IT. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING THE NEED FOR MUD FLAPS ON 2005 MITSUBISHI EVOLUTION VIII LANCER. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED WITHOUT THE MUD FLAPS, THE TIRES STICK OUT 1.5 INCHES PAST WHEEL WELLS. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN A RIGHT TURN WAS MADE, OR A SPEED BUMP WAS HIT, A STRANGE NOISE WOULD EMIT FROM THE VEHICLE AND THEN A POP SOUND COULD BE HEARD. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER GRAVEL WAS STUCK INTO HE CALIPERS, SHOCK TOWERS, BRAKES AND SPRINGS AND IT WOULD WORK ITSELF OUT. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THE CONSUMER TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A CAR WASH, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS WASHED. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE SO BADLY WORN. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TURNED WARPED BRAKE ROTOR. PROBLEM CAME BACK, UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO POOR HANDLING WHEN BRAKING. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .