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2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
8
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2006 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

  • 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.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

13
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Sep 14, 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 · filed Apr 10, 2014
All 13 reports naming engine

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed May 25, 2016

BRAKE FINISH IS INFERIOR AND PEELING. *TR

NHTSA ID 10285978 · filed Oct 1, 2009

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Oct 14, 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 · filed Mar 26, 2018

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed May 25, 2016

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 · filed Sep 14, 2014

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Oct 14, 2018

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 · filed Oct 21, 2016

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

COMPLAINT *10261125*-THIS COMPLAINT IS 100% ACCURATE, MITSUBISHI HAS RECALLED MANY OUTLANDER SUVS ON THIS SAME ISSUE, PLEASE INVESTIGATE, HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE, TURN SIGNALS, HIGH BEAM, LOW BEAM, HORN, FOG LIGHTS, ENGINE, EVERYTHING WORKS AT RANDOM AND CANNOT BE STOPPED, MY ENGINE WILL NOT START, THIS IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN AND A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT CAN HAVE DEVASTATING RESULTS, "COMPLAINT NUMBER: 10261125 2006 THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTIONS MADE FROM 2003-2006. I HAVE HAD 2 OF THESE CARS AND SAME PROBLEM... ALMOST STARTED A FIRE IN MY CAR.. . WHERE THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS GOES THROUGH THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT FENDER, THERE'S A RUBBER GROMMET THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BLOCK WATER. WELL IN MY 2 CARS AND ABOUT 100 OTHERS ON THE AUTO FORUM I FREQUENT,(WWW.EVOLUTIONM.NET) THE RUBBER GROMMET FAILS TO DO ITS JOB OF BLOCKING WEATHER AND WATER IS LEAKING THROUGH GOING DOWN THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS AND INTO THE WIRING CONNECTORS. FROM THERE THE AVERAGE OWNER LIKE ME IS GETTING THERE HORN, LIGHTS WIPERS SRS LIGHT ETC. TURNING ON/OFF RAPIDLY WHILE DRIVING. SOME HAVE EXPERIENCED THE CAR SUDDENLY SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING, WELL ALONG WITH THAT YOU LOOSE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. PLEASE DO WHAT EVER NEEDS TO BE DONE TO MAKE THIS A RECALL. AS IT I AM SURE HAS AND WILL CAUSE MANY TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS. PLEASE KEEP OUR ROADS SAFE. *TR ". *TR

NHTSA ID 10372342 · filed Dec 24, 2010

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTIONS MADE FROM 2003-2006. I HAVE HAD 2 OF THESE CARS AND SAME PROBLEM... ALMOST STARTED A FIRE IN MY CAR.. . WHERE THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS GOES THROUGH THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT FENDER, THERE'S A RUBBER GROMMET THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BLOCK WATER. WELL IN MY 2 CARS AND ABOUT 100 OTHERS ON THE AUTO FORUM I FREQUENT,(WWW.EVOLUTIONM.NET) THE RUBBER GROMMET FAILS TO DO ITS JOB OF BLOCKING WEATHER AND WATER IS LEAKING THROUGH GOING DOWN THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS AND INTO THE WIRING CONNECTORS. FROM THERE THE AVERAGE OWNER LIKE ME IS GETTING THERE HORN, LIGHTS WIPERS SRS LIGHT ETC. TURNING ON/OFF RAPIDLY WHILE DRIVING. SOME HAVE EXPERIENCED THE CAR SUDDENLY SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING, WELL ALONG WITH THAT YOU LOOSE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. PLEASE DO WHAT EVER NEEDS TO BE DONE TO MAKE THIS A RECALL. AS IT I AM SURE HAS AND WILL CAUSE MANY TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS. PLEASE KEEP OUR ROADS SAFE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10261125 · filed Mar 9, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10567977 · filed Mar 8, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10567977 · filed Mar 8, 2014

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

Data on this page last refreshed .