RoadVitals

2006 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.
24
Latest Oct 14, 2018
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 24 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and suspension categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 30 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

  • Engine1346.4%
  • Brakes310.7%
  • Suspension310.7%
  • Powertrain (other)310.7%
  • Body & structure27.1%
  • Electrical27.1%
  • Driver assistance13.6%
  • Steering13.6%

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
16V334000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

May 23, 2016
38,628 units potentially affected
The defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Lancer and Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured June 29, 2005, to June 19, 2007, equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.Manufacturer number SR-16-002View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 24
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Oct 14, 2018

REAR SUBFRAME WHERE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND SUSPENSION BOLTS ONTO IS RUSTED, JUST LIKE THE FRONT SUBFRAME . MANY OWNERS 2003-2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. MITSUBISHI RECENTLY ISSUED A RECALL ON THE FRONT SUBFRAME DUE TO RUST. THE REAR SUBFRAME IS ALSO A CONCERN AND IS WORST THAN THE FRONT.

NHTSA ID
11140222
Incident
Oct 14, 2018
Suspension
Filed Mar 26, 2018

THE REAR SUBFRAME OF MY VEHICLE EXHIBITS SIGNIFICANT CORROSION PERFORATION WHERE THE REAR AXLE AND SUSPENSION MOUNTS TO THE BODY. THE RUST IS SO BAD, THAT I'M WORRIED IF I HIT A POTHOLE THE ENTIRE REAR SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY / CONTROL ARMS COULD DETACH, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY WELL MAINTAINED, HAS ALWAYS BEEN WASHED THROUGHOUT THE WINTER MONTHS (UNDERCARRIAGE), AND THE BODY DOES NOT SHOW ANY RUST. I HAVE NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY LOSS OF CONTROL, ETC ... JUST CONCERNED THIS COULD HAPPEN. MY VEHICLE HAD THE FRONT SUBFRAME REPLACED LAST YEAR (RECALL) DUE TO RUST PERFORATION AND LACK OF CORROSION PROTECTION FROM THE FACTORY AND THE POTENTIAL FOR THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS TO DETACH RESULTING IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION. I SEE THE SAME POTENTIAL FOR THE REAR. ALSO PLEASE NOTE, THE PHOTOS I'M ATTACHING ARE NOT FROM MY VEHICLE, BUT THEY ARE NEARLY IDENTICAL TO THE AREAS OF CONCERN ON MY VEHICLE (AND ARE FROM THE EXACT MAKE / MODEL VEHICLE). I'D BE HAPPY TO ATTACH SIMILAR PHOTOS FROM MY VEHICLE IF NEEDED, BUT AGAIN, THEY SHOW THE SAME AMOUNT OF RUST IN THE EXACT SAME AREAS.

NHTSA ID
11081338
Incident
Mar 25, 2018
Body & structure
Filed Oct 21, 2016

I HAVE A RECALL ON MY 2006 MITSUBISHI FOR CORROSION ON SUBFRAME, I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER, THEY CHECKED THE CAR AND ORDERED THE CROSS MEMBER, SO WE MADE AN APPOINT TO TAKE CAR INTO DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT, LEFT THE CAR WITH THE DEALER FOR THE DAY, LATER THAT DAY I GOTTEN A CALL STATING THEY CANNOT GET THE BOLTS LOOSE DUE TO CORROSION AND I HAVE TO PAY TO REMOVE IT, I FIND IT STRANGE THAT THERES A RECALL ON A PART DUE TO CORROSION AND NOW THE BOLT IS SEIZED DUE TO THE SAME CORROSION, AND I HAVE TO PAY 392.00 TO REMOVE CROSS MEMBER BOLT SO THEY CAN CHANGE A PART THAT THEY RECALLED, I TAUGHT THAT A BIG COMPANY LIKE THIS WOULD RECALL A PART AND THEN TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUE, AND NOT CHARGE THE CUSTOMER FOR THE REPAIR. THIS IS THE WORST RECALL I EVER HEARD OF.

NHTSA ID
10917930
Incident
Oct 14, 2016
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed May 25, 2016

I WAS HEADING TO A CLASS WHEN I NOTICED MY CLUTCH PEDAL WENT ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE CLUTCH WAS STILL DISENGAGING/ENGAGING WHEN I SHIFTED SO I MADE IT TO MY DESTINATION. I WAS WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING IT BUT I DECIDED TO TRY AND SEE IF IT WAS STILL DOING IT, SO I TRIED TO BACK OUT OF A SPOT BUT IT WOULD NO LONGER GO INTO GEAR AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. TURNED OUT MY BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS FAULTY AND I LEARNED THROUGH ONLINE FORUMS AND FRIENDS THAT IT WAS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE LANCER EVOLUTION. I WAS SURPRISED AT THAT AND WONDERED WHY MITSUBISHI WOULD NOT ISSUE A RECALL FOR FAULTY BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS. IT DAWNED ON ME THAT MOST PEOPLE WITH THIS TYPE OF CAR ARE THE "DO IT YOURSELF" KIND OF PERSON AND MORE THAN LIKELY WERE FIXED BY THE OWNERS OF THE CARS, THEREFOR NEVER REPORTED THROUGH MECHANICS OR DEALERSHIPS. AFTER THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED, THE THROW OUT BEARING RETAINING CLIP CAME LOOSE AND DAMAGED THE PRESSURE PLATE. SO NOW IT IS BEING REPLACED, AND I BELIEVE IT WAS ALL CAUSED BY THE MASTER CYLINDER. HAD IT WORKED PROPERLY, I NEVER WOULD HAVE HAD THESE PROBLEMS AND SPENDING ALL THIS MONEY. WHAT I AM HOPING IS THAT MORE OWNERS COME FORWARD WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND REPORT THEM, AND THAT IT DOESN'T HAPPEN TO SOMEONE WHILE THEY'RE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY OR STUCK IN TRAFFIC. THEY COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE HYDRAULIC POWER TO THE CLUTCH SYSTEM AND BRAKES, RESULTING IN A HAZARDOUS SITUATION THAT COULD DAMAGE TO PROPERTY OR CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH.

NHTSA ID
10870878
Incident
Dec 17, 2015
Mileage
138,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 14, 2014

THERE IS AN ACTIVE CENTER DIFFERENTIAL PUMP FAILURE THAT IS BECOMING COMMON IN ALL LANCER EVOLUTIONS OF THIS YEAR. MINE WENT OUT LAST YEAR AND I HAVE BEEN HAVING TO DRIVE WITH IT FOR A YEAR NOW NOT KNOWING WHETHER THE DIFFERENTIAL IS CORRODING AT AN ACCELERATED RATE OF NOT. I DID THIS BECAUSE AFTER I HAD MY VEHICLE ASSESSED THEY TOLD IT WOULD BE $2500 TO REPLACE. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND CAN BE DANGEROUS THEREFORE CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO PAY THIS ABSURD AMOUNT EVEN WITH KNOWING THAT ALMOST 60% OF EVO DRIVERS HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10633068
Incident
Jul 1, 2013
Mileage
60,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Aug 19, 2014

SPRING SEAT BROKE AT WELD JOINT TO SHOCK TUBE. SPRING TRANSLATED IN THE Z DIRECTION UNTIL IT WAS IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE TIRE. UPON BREAKAGE VEHICLE HAD EXTENSIVE SPRING RUBBING AGAINST TIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10626474
Incident
Aug 12, 2014
Mileage
72,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 10, 2014

THIS IS A VERY WELL DOCUMENTED AND KNOWN ISSUE AMONGST EVOLUTION GEN 9 OWNERS. THE OEM TIMING BELT BRACKET TENSIONER WAS MADE INCORRECT AND CAUSES THE TIMING BELT TO RUB AGAINST METAL. THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN A REPLACEMENT BRACKET MADE THAT CORRECTS THE ISSUE BUT I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. MITSUBISHI NEEDS TO OWN THIS ONE AND MAKE IT RIGHT, IT'S A FAULTY PART, INITIATE THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10578944
Incident
Apr 10, 2014
Mileage
24,400 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Mar 8, 2014

MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION 9 RS MODEL ACD PUMP FAILURE WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10567977
Incident
Sep 26, 2013
Mileage
65,000 mi

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-17-004REV

AIR BAGS

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

SR-18-005REV

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—
2006Viewing242038.6
2005142047.7
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.