MITSUBISHI LANCER · model year

2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER

27 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2005MITSUBISHILANCER carries 27 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 LANCER is air bags with 9 filings, followed by suspension (2) and electrical system:ignition (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 6 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 14 investigation files overlapping the 2005 LANCER. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

27
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

27 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS9
SUSPENSION2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS1
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL1
WHEELS1
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
STRUCTURE:BODY1
STRUCTURE1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1

Recalls (6)

16V45800023/06/2016

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

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,

06E06400017/07/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED

17V56900014/09/2017

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Lancer and Lancer Evolution vehicles and 2004 Lancer Sportback vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause th

06E02300013/03/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPME

09E02500011/05/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES

18V22000005/04/2018

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles that previously received a like-for-like passenger side frontal air bag inflator under recall 15V321 as interim remedy. Also recalled are 2004-2006 Lancer vehicles located in Guam or Saipan that p

Recent Complaints

20251124STEERING

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.

20200729ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 100,000

20200729SUSPENSION

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.

Mileage: 100,000

20200729EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

Mileage: 100,000

20190530ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 90,000

20190411AIR BAGS

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.

20181126STRUCTURE

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.

Mileage: 170,000

20181126SUSPENSION

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.

Mileage: 170,000

20180208AIR BAGS

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 F

20171019AIR BAGS

AIRBAG DEFECT

20150909STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

Mileage: 94,000

20150810AIR BAGS

I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE BY MAIL FROM MITSUBISHI MOTORS SALES OF CARIBBEAN ON JUNE, I CALL TO A DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAVE TO WAIT MY TURN AND TO WAIT THE INFLATOR TO BE AVAILABLE, WE ARE IN AUGUST AND STILL NO NOTICE, I CALL THEM TODAY AND THEY TOLD ME I HAVE TO WAIT MY TURN, I CALLED TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THEY ARE TAKING ONLY ONE CAR DAILY AND THE LIST IS LONGER. THEY ARE EXTREMELY SLOW, OTHER MANUFACTURERS ARE MORE PROACTIVE, BUT THIS IS TAKING TO LONG TO RESOLVE THE DEFECT.

Mileage: 151,042

20150727AIR BAGS

GOOD DAY, I RECENTLY GOT A SAFETY RECALL LETTER FROM MITSUBISHI ABOUT A POSSIBLE DEFECT IN MY CAR'S AIRBAGS THAT WHEN DEPLOYED COULD CAUSE METAL FRAGMENTS TO IMPACT MY FACE AND BODY AND POSSIBLY CAUSE DEATH. THE PROBLEM I'M HAVING IS, ON THE LETTER THEY STATED THAT ALL THE REPAIRS WOULD BE AT NO-COST WITH NO MENTION OF AFTERMARKET PARTS AN EXTRA FEE I HAVE TO PAY FOR. SO I SET UP AN APPOINTMENT AND WHEN I GOT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID I HAD TO PAY THEM A FEE TO REMOVE MY AFTERMARKET ALARM AND STEREO. I WAS BAFFLED AS TO WHY I HAD TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT WASN'T EVEN MY FAULT. I TALKED TO THE MANAGER OF THE DEALERSHIP TRYING TO BE REASONABLE BUT THEY WOULDN'T WAIVE THE FEE. I'VE CALLED THE MITSUBISHI HOTLINE BUT TO NO AVAIL, SAYING THAT I HAVE TO PAY THE FEE FOR "UNINSTALLATION AND REINSTALLATION OF AFTERMARKET PARTS". I DON'T KNOW WHERE ELSE TO GO TO THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING FOR YOUR HELP. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT WASN'T EVEN MY FAULT TO BEG

Mileage: 63,000

20150623AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V321000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXPECTED THE CONTACT TO SCHEDULE A REPAIR AT A DEALER THAT WAS OUT OF STATE AND NOT A LOCAL AUTHORIZED DEALER WHICH WAS UNREASONABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

20141125AIR BAGS

THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON IN MY LANCER. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THE PART WILL TAKE OVER A MONTH TO ARRIVE AS A RESULT OF A RECALL. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE AIR BAG NO LONGER WORKS. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

20120629VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

Mileage: 131,883

20100426CrashAIR BAGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THREE DEER. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE DESTROYED, THE FRONT FELL OFF OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FENDER WAS PUSHED IN. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BUT THE SRS AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED UPON IMPACT AND HAD REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DID NOT REPORT ANY INJURIES. THE CONTACT HAD NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

20100304FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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

Mileage: 150

20091023POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

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

Mileage: 114,000

20080902WHEELS

#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

Mileage: 59,470

Compare 2005MITSUBISHILANCER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER have?
The 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER has 27 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER?
Yes, the 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER has 6 recall(s). The most common affected component is SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER?
The most-complained component for the 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER is AIR BAGS with 9 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SUSPENSION and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION.
Is the 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.