RoadVitals

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer 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.
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Latest Nov 24, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
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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.
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What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer, 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

  • Airbags1037.0%
  • Driver assistance27.4%
  • Electrical27.4%
  • Body & structure27.4%
  • Suspension27.4%
  • Brakes27.4%
  • Transmission13.7%
  • Visibility13.7%
  • Engine13.7%
  • Fuel system13.7%
  • Exterior lighting13.7%
  • Other / unspecified13.7%
  • Steering13.7%

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

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I SOLD THIS CAR LAST JULY 2018 THROUGH A TRADE-IN. PLEASE STOP SENDING ME ALL OF THESE HORRIFYING REMINDERS. IT IS NOT APPRECIATED. PLEASE REMOVE MY NAME AND ADDRESS FROM ALL MAILING LISTS. I DID NOT GET IT DONE WHEN I OWNED THE CAR AS THE DEALERSHIP WAS QUITE A DRIVE AND I COULD NOT DROP IT OFF. CAR IS SOLD.

NHTSA ID 11195712 · filed Apr 11, 2019

RECEIVED NOTICE OF A RECALL ON THE PASS. SIDE AIRBAG. CALLED LOCAL DEALER, OUT OF BUSINESS (GREENVILLE MITSUBISHI). NEXT CLOSEST DEALER IS 2 COUNTIES AWAY (DON HERRING MITSUBISHI PLANO), SPOKE TO BENNY. SAID IT'S A 5-HOUR REPAIR AND THEY ARE OPEN ON SATURDAY, BUT WILL NOT PERFORM THE RECALL ON SATURDAY. DUE TO THE DISTANCE INVOLVED, IT'S UNREASONABLE TO TOW OR DROP OFF MY VEHICLE, AND LIKE MANY, I DON'T HAVE 8-9 HOURS TO LOSE TO FIX MITSUBISHI'S ISSUE (DRIVE AND REPAIR TIME, PLUS CONSIDERING LIGHT NORTH DALLAS TRAFFIC). I'M UNABLE TO PROVIDE THE EXORBITANT TIME THIS DEALER REQUIRES OF ME TO PHYSICALLY BE PRESENT FOR THE REPAIR, AND I DON'T KNOW WHO WOULD BE. MISSING WORK, PLUS LITERAL EXPENSES FOR SOMETHING I HAD NO PART IN IS WRONG, AS IS THE 50+ MILE CAB OR UBER FAIR THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO MAKE THE RETURN TRIP DURING THE REPAIR. AT THAT POINT, THIS BECOMES A BILL, NOT A SAFETY RECALL. AND MY WIFE IS THE ONLY PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. RECALL SITE SENT ME HERE TO FILE A COMPLAINT IF THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM THIS RECALL IN A TIMELY MANNER. NEED RESOLUTION ON THIS MATTER THAT DOESN'T COST ME MORE THAN THE REPAIR ITSELF.

NHTSA ID 11071829 · filed Feb 8, 2018
All 10 reports naming airbags

Driver assistance

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

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, SHE NOTICES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE BY UTILIZING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 131,883.

NHTSA ID 10463616 · filed Jun 29, 2012

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SUDDENLY WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD AND THE ENGINE REVVED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PLACED THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL TO PREVENT IT FROM SURGING. HE SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000. THE CONSUMER STATED HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER MITSUBISHI DEALER AND THEY INFORMED HIM, THEY HAD OTHER 2005 MITSUBISHI'S WITH SAME DEFECT. THE DEALER STATED THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE. UPDATED 11/15/07 *TR THE CONSUMER HAS REQUESTED AN ARBITRATION.. UPDATED 11/29/07

NHTSA ID 10206323 · filed Oct 19, 2007

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

THE SIGNAL LIGHTS STOP WORKING ALSO THE HAZARDS. THE HORN REMAINS ON. A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY THAT IS A PROBLEM OF THE CAR INSIDE BODY THAT TAKE THE CONNECTOR OF THE JUNCTION BLOCK AND CORRODE THEM. A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEM IS IN MOTION AND STATIONARY.

NHTSA ID 11216924 · filed May 30, 2019

NO OUT OF THE ORDINARY EVENTS LEAD UP TO THE FAILURE. MY VEHICLE, WHICH IS A DAILY DRIVER CAR WOULD ONCE IN A WHILE "STUMBLE" THEN THROW A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. AFTER THIS I WOULD GO TO MY DEALER OR AN AUTOSHOP AND HAVE THE "PULL THE CODE" USING A ODB II ERROR SCAN TOOL. EVERYTHING IT WAS THE SAME "CODE" NAMED P0300. THIS WOULD HAPPEN INFREQUENTLY (5-6 TIMES A MONTH) BUT EVENTUALLY IT BECAME A OCCURRENCE ALMOST BY THE MINUTE. WHEN THE CAR "STUMBLES" THERE IS NO POWER TO MERGE, TURN OR CHANGE LANES. MY DEALER HAS OFFERED A RECALL - WHICH IS A COMPUTER "REFLASH" - BUT TO NO AVAIL - THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. WHEN I COMPLAIN I AM TOLD THERE IS NOTHING MORE THEY CAN DO. PLEASE HELP. *NM

NHTSA ID 10106279 · filed Jan 13, 2005

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE FRONT UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BELL MITSUBISHI (1500 US-1, RAHWAY, NJ 07065, (732) 709-4333) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND FURTHER TESTING WAS NEEDED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000 (SUSPENSION). THE DEALER DID NOT KNOW THEN THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A CASE MANAGER WOULD FOLLOW-UP WITHIN TEN BUSINESS DAYS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID 11154033 · filed Nov 26, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FLOOR MAT WAS REMOVED ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FLOOR BOARD HAD EXCESSIVE RUST AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

NHTSA ID 10762438 · filed Sep 9, 2015

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CUP FROM THE BALL JOINTS, THE FRONT END, TIE ROD, UNKNOWN WIRING HARNESS AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN MITSUBISHI DEALER HOWEVER, WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED OUT OF POCKET. ADDITIONALLY, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ID 11341985 · filed Jul 29, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE FRONT UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BELL MITSUBISHI (1500 US-1, RAHWAY, NJ 07065, (732) 709-4333) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND FURTHER TESTING WAS NEEDED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000 (SUSPENSION). THE DEALER DID NOT KNOW THEN THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A CASE MANAGER WOULD FOLLOW-UP WITHIN TEN BUSINESS DAYS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID 11154033 · filed Nov 26, 2018

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

2005 LANCER ES, MANUAL TRANSMISSION, PURCHASED 8-11-05 IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. APPROXIMATELY 8,500 MILES, BEGAN TO HEAR RUBBING SOUNDS WHEN SLOWING FROM HIGH SPEED- THOUGHT IT NEEDED ALIGNMENT, SO TOOK IT IN, HAD WHEELS ALIGNED, AND ROTATED, (ALREADY HAD PREVIOUS ALIGNMENT AND ROTATION @ 6,000 MILES.) AFTER LOCAL (SURFACE STREET) DRIVING ONLY, AT 9,800 TOOK TO DEALER TO INSPECT PROBLEM, WITHIN 11 MONTHS OF PURCHASE. DEALER SAID IT WAS "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR". I HAVE NEVER HAD BRAKES WEARING OUT UNDER 15,000 MILES. SEEMS DEFECTIVE TO ME. *JB

NHTSA ID 10162476 · filed Jul 15, 2006

BRAKE FAILURE AT 7032 MI BRAKES COMPLETELY METAL TO METAL LOSS OF MOST BRAKING FUNCTIONS VERY POOR RESPONSE TIME,BRAKE PADS REPLACED,BRAKE FAILURE AGAIN AT 13560 BRAKES AGAIN METAL TO METAL VERY POOR RESPONSE TIME,BRAKE PADS REPLACED AGAIN,BRAKE FAILURE AGAIN AT 18500 AGAIN BRAKES METAL TO METAL LOSS OF BRAKE RESPONSE TIME VERY LOUD GRINDING NOISES UPON APPLICATION OF BRAKING SYSTEMS SERVICE REFUSED BY DEALER ALL WITHIN 10 MONTHS OF VEHICLE PURCHASE BRAND NEW. *NM

NHTSA ID 10142621 · filed Nov 14, 2005

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

HELLO MY NAME IS RYAN GIROUARD, I OWN A 2005 MITSUBISHI RALLIART SEDAN,MY MASTER CYLINDER BROKE DOWN DRIVING ON ROAD ALMOST CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, WARRANTY CLAIMED TO BE NOT COVERED, MASTER CYLINDER BLED OUT COMPLETELY. IS THERE A WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THIS PART? AND IS MY CLUTCH PLATE DAMAGED DUE TO BLEED OUT OF MASTER CYLINDER? AS A RESULT DESTROYING OTHER COMPONENTS THAT WERE IN WORKING ORDER,I'M CONCERNED AS ITS NOT A REGULAR WEARING PART OF THIS VEHICLE. AS I'M AWARE OIL, BRAKES, TRANSMISSION FLUID AND OTHER FLUIDS, WIPER BLADES , TIRES, AND MANY OTHERS ARE NOT COVERED, PLEASE REPLY BACK THANK YOU RYAN *TR

NHTSA ID 10289499 · filed Oct 23, 2009

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

REAR GLASS RATTLING OVER BUMPS. *JB

NHTSA ID 10143502 · filed Nov 22, 2005

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CUP FROM THE BALL JOINTS, THE FRONT END, TIE ROD, UNKNOWN WIRING HARNESS AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN MITSUBISHI DEALER HOWEVER, WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED OUT OF POCKET. ADDITIONALLY, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ID 11341985 · filed Jul 29, 2020

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

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

FUEL GAUGE SHOWS MORE FUEL THAN IS IN THE TANK UNTIL THE GAGE SHOWS HALF FULL. WHEN IT SHOWS HALF FULL, THERE IS PROBABLY 4 GALLONS LEFT IN THE TANK. *TR

NHTSA ID 10316564 · filed Mar 4, 2010

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

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CUP FROM THE BALL JOINTS, THE FRONT END, TIE ROD, UNKNOWN WIRING HARNESS AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN MITSUBISHI DEALER HOWEVER, WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED OUT OF POCKET. ADDITIONALLY, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ID 11341985 · filed Jul 29, 2020

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

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

#1- REMOVING BOTH FRONT TIRES FOR BRAKE MAINTENANCE, AND CLEANING OF THE TIRE-WELL. #2- THREE OF THE BOLTS SECURING THE TIRE TO THE RIM FAILED. ONE SNAP UNDER LIGHT PRESSURE (RIGHT SIDE), TWO OF THE BOLTS WERE STRIP BY THE LOCKING NUT, RENDERING THEM USELESS (LEFT SIDE). THIS CAR FEATURE ANTI-THEFT WHEEL COVERS INSTALLED BY THE DEALER-DISTRIBUTOR IN PR WHICH REQUIRES DIFFERENT TYPE OF LOCKNUT FOR THE TIRE RIM. #3- THE CAR WILL BE TAKEN FOR SERVICE TO AN AUTHORIZED REPAIR SHOP AND I WILL REQUEST REPLACEMENT OF ALL BOLTS WITH NEW SAFETY NUTS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10240569 · filed Sep 2, 2008

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

The steering column on my 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer ES detached while driving. The entire column dropped down from its mounting brackets, causing loss of control. This is a serious safety hazard. The mount bolts were intact previously, but they came loose or the bracket failed without warning. This could have resulted in a crash and severe injury. I believe this may be a structural or manufacturing defect and could affect other Lancer vehicles of similar year. I performed a temporary repair myself so the vehicle could be moved safely, but this does NOT solve the underlying problem. The original steering column mounting should not have failed under normal use.

NHTSA ID 11701340 · filed Nov 24, 2025

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 .