RoadVitals

2006 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 Aug 12, 2022
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
12
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 2006 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

  • Airbags1632.7%
  • Body & structure510.2%
  • Exterior lighting48.2%
  • Brakes48.2%
  • Driver assistance48.2%
  • Visibility24.1%
  • Engine12.0%
  • Other / unspecified12.0%
  • Powertrain (other)12.0%
  • Steering12.0%
  • Electrical12.0%

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

Airbags

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

16
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

AFTER THEY CHANGE THE AIRBAGS FROM THE WARNING LIGHTS IS ON AND DEALERS CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM?

NHTSA ID 11254805 · filed Sep 11, 2019

DRIVER AIR BAG THE BOARD LIGHT WENT ON, ABOUT 10 MONTHS, WITH NO REASON WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY

NHTSA ID 11220176 · filed Jun 14, 2019
All 16 reports naming airbags

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, she heard abnormal loud grinding sounds coming from underneath the front passenger's side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring increasingly while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that her mother had informed her that she had seen an unknown part hanging underneath the front passenger's side of the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that she would need to take the vehicle to their location for recall repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V458000 (Suspension). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 164,550.

NHTSA ID 11478946 · filed Aug 12, 2022

When doing routine repair on the control arms, it was noted that there is a ginormous rust hole in the subframe where the control arm connects to aforementioned subframe

NHTSA ID 11457188 · filed Mar 17, 2022
All 9 reports naming suspension

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

My lancer has very bad rear end chassis rust where the rear subframe is fastened to the monobody. In this area all the suspension components and rear drivetrain are located. Damage occurs due to salt and other corrosive agents that are used for roads in Connecticut to melt snow. These agents rust the car where Mitsubishi failed to properly protect the steel under the rear end of the vehicle. It is widely observed that the 03-06 lancer has from factory a poor to almost no anti rust agent applied to the lower rear chassis area of the car where the subframe crossmember is located that holds suspension components and rear differential. Currently under nhtsa campaign 16V458000, there is a safety recall for the front subframe crossmember due to rust damage. As for the rear of the car there most certainly should be a safety campaign as the rust in this area develops quicker and can cause a catastrophic failure.

NHTSA ID 11455652 · filed Mar 8, 2022

The contact owns a 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated while working on the vehicle, the contact noticed that there was a huge hole in the sub-frame due to rust. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and it was diagnosed that the sub-frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 196,000. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ID 11418918 · filed May 28, 2021

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

AFTER THEY CHANGE THE AIRBAGS FROM THE WARNING LIGHTS IS ON AND DEALERS CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM?

NHTSA ID 11254805 · filed Sep 11, 2019

OVER TIME THE VEHICLES ORIGINAL HEADLAMPS HAVE FADED TO A POINT WHERE IT IS AFFECTING DRIVER VISIBILITY. THIS WAS NOT THE CASE WITH GLASS FIXTURES MANY YEARS AGO. I HAVE NOTICED THIS ISSUE ON MANY AUTOMOBILES SINCE THE ADOPTION OF PLASTIC HEADLAMPS. BASED ON PERFORMANCE, IT IS OBVIOUS PLASTIC HEADLAMPS ARE CAUSING ISSUES WITH VISIBILITY AND SHOULD BE BANNED OR AT LEAST EXAMINED FOR A BETTER SOLUTION.

NHTSA ID 11065649 · filed Jan 29, 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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

APPLIED BRAKE, BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE, INSTEAD VEHICLE SPED UP CAUSING COLLISION.

NHTSA ID 11100539 · filed Jun 8, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE PAD AND ROTOR WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA ID 10914452 · filed Oct 7, 2016

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

APPLIED BRAKE, BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE, INSTEAD VEHICLE SPED UP CAUSING COLLISION.

NHTSA ID 11100539 · filed Jun 8, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE PAD AND ROTOR WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA ID 10914452 · filed Oct 7, 2016

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO USE THE DEFROSTER, WHICH PREVENTED HIM FROM SEEING OUT THE WINDOW. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTO GALLERY MITSUBISHI-CORONA (LOCATED AT 2550 WARDLOW RD, CORONA, CA 92882, (951) 372-0008) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

NHTSA ID 11282915 · filed Nov 29, 2019

WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR OUR 2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WE NO LONGER HAVE THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY THAT CAME WITH THIS CAR AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. I HAVE TALKED TO MITSUBISHI RECALL CENTER ABOUT THIS VERY DANGEROUS AIRBAG THAT HAS ALREADY KILLED 23 PEOPLE: UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS NOT A DEALERSHIP WHERE I LIVE, SO ACCORDING TO THE MITSUBISHI CASE WORKER ONE OF US WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP IN ORLAND CA: WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 5 HOURS AWAY/ THIS CAR HAS 130,000 MILES ON IT AND CAN HEAR A TAPPING NOISE WHEN FIRST STARTING. BECAUSE OF THIS NOISE, MY HUSBAND FEELS THIS CAR MAY BREAK DOWN ON THE WAY TO THIS DEALERSHIP. MY HUSBAND ALSO HAS A HARD TIME GETTING TIME OFF, "DUE TO THE NATURE OF HIS JOB," AND I HAVE ANXIETY AND AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR. I ALSO HAVE A HARD TIME DRIVING LONG DISTANCES DUE TO A TORN MENISCUS THAT I HAD SURGERY FOR IN FEBRUARY OF 2017. UNFORTUNATELY, I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS KNEE AND AM CURRENTLY STILL ON DISABILITY FROM THIS INJURY. THIS I HAVE RELATED TO THE MITSUBISHI CASE MANAGER WHO WAS ASSIGNED TO US. SHE SAID THAT ALL SHE CAN DO FOR US IS GIVE US $100.00 FOR THE COST OF GAS AND SHE DID NOT OFFER ANY OTHER SOLUTIONS, EVEN AFTER I EXPLAINED THE ABOVE TO HER. ARE WE REALLY STUCK WITH THIS OFFER? CAN YOU HELP US WITH THIS? DOES. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH MAKING PEOPLE TAKE A RISK TO FIX. THEY ARE PLAYING RUSSIAN ROULETTE WITH OUR LIVES. SINCERELY, INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID 11104595 · filed Jun 28, 2018

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

REMOVED FOOT FROM ACCELERATOR TO BEGIN BRAKING FOR YELLOW LIGHT WHILE DRIVING APPROX. 25 MPH, AS SOON AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE CAR SURGED FORWARD AS IF AT FULL THROTTLE AND DID NOT STOP ACCELERATING UNTIL THE IMPACT FROM THE COLLISION. THE SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION HAPPENED TWO TIMES BEFORE, EACH TIME RIGHT AFTER I LIFTED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR TO BEGIN BRAKING. THE ACCELERATOR HAD NOT (NOT) BEEN FULLY DEPRESSED PRIOR TO THE UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION IN ANY OF THE ABOVE INCIDENTS. ATTEMPT TO BRAKE BEFORE COLLISION WAS UNSUCCESSFUL;I HAD RECENTLY REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS AGAIN (AFTER 5,000 MILES) BECAUSE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER WAS NOT RELEASING, RIGHT PADS

NHTSA ID 10387128 · filed Mar 1, 2011

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

AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN EXTREME ACCIDENT AND ROLLOVER! 2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION - I HAVE PICTURES! VEHICLE HIT CURB, SPLIT TELEPHONE POLE, KNOCKED DOWN STREETLIGHT, STREET SIGN. 3 FOOT IMPACT ON SIDE, ALL PARTS OF CAR STRUCK- NO AIRBAG DEPLYMENT; NUMEROUS INJURIES! DRIVER HAS BROKEN PELVIS.

NHTSA ID 10185900 · filed Mar 22, 2007

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEN I WAS IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT MY INTERVENTION, WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FURTHER. I HAD TO APPLIED THE MANUAL BRAKE AND PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL. IN NEUTRAL THE RPMS WENT TO THE MAXIMUM AND THEN DECREASED TO NORMAL. *TR

NHTSA ID 10676376 · filed Jan 19, 2015

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

TL*THE CONTACT RENTED A 2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEELS ON THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. HE BELIEVED THAT THE RACK AND PINION WAS THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ALL THREE DAYS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RENTED. THE PURCHASE DATE AND SPEED WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,282 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,131. UPDATED 09/19/07 *TR

NHTSA ID 10200864 · filed Aug 27, 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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

HEADLIGHTS KEEP FAILING. WAS PULLED OVER AFTER HAVING JUST REPLACED A BULB AND NOTIFIED THE BULB WAS OUT AGAIN. BLAMED THE SHOP THAT REPLACED THE BULB, AND HAD THEM PUT IN ANOTHER. THEN WHEN DRIVING A LONG DISTANCE DRIVE, AS I BEGAN TO GET DARK, ANOTHER MOTORIST FLASHED ME TO NOTIFY ME THAT I DID NOT HAVE HEADLIGHTS ON, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE IN THE ON POSITION. BOTH LOW BEAMS HAD GONE OUT AND WOULD ONLY WORK ON HIGH BEAMS. I WAS LUCKY THAT THE MOTORIST NOTIFIED ME, AND THAT THE LIGHTS DID NOT BLOW AFTER DARK WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. TOOK TO SHOP, DIAGNOSTIC WAS RUN AND 1ST THOUGHT WAS THE ECU FOR HEADLIGHTS, ORDERED PART, INSTALLED AND 30 SECONDS AFTER RUNNING LIGHTS, BLEW THE NEW ECU PART. CURRENTLY ONLY 1 HEADLIGHT WORKS, AND ONLY ON HIGH BEAMS. SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT WORK EVEN ON HIGH BEAMS. IF UNPLUGGED & PLUGGED BACK IN, ONLY THEN WILL IT WORK, BUT ONLY ON HIGH BEAMS. THERE IS SOME SORT OF ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION, BUT MECHANICS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. TAKING BACK AGAIN MONDAY 4/27 FOR ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO FIND THE PROBLEM. IN THE MEANTIME, I CONTINUE TO HAVE TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE, WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRE ME TO DRIVE AFTER DARK. ALL MITZUBISHI DEALERS & SERVICE IN MY TOWN HAVE GONE OUT OF BUSINESS AND THE CLOSEST DEALER IS 2 HOURS AWAY. I CANNOT AFFORD TO 1. TAKE THE TIME TO DRIVE IT DOWN. 2. GET A RENTAL CAR WHILE THEY TRY TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE PURCHASED NUMEROUS BULBS PRIOR TO KNOWING THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE, AND HAVE SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS ON DIAGNOSTICS & ATTEMPTED REPAIRS. NONE OF THE OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF THE CAR HAVE FAILED. ONLY THE HEADLIGHTS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10266706 · filed Apr 25, 2009

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 .