Total Complaints
52 filings
MITSUBISHI LANCER · model year
52 NHTSA complaints, 10 crash reports, and 7 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2006MITSUBISHILANCER carries 52 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 10 crashes, 0 fires, 9 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 2006 LANCER is air bags with 16 filings, followed by suspension (9) and exterior lighting (4). 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 7 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 2006 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.
Total Complaints
52 filings
Crashes Reported
10 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 16 |
| SUSPENSION | 9 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 4 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 4 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 2 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 2 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 2 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL:AUTOMATIC (ASC) | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT | 1 |
| STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
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,
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Mileage: 164,550
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
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.
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.
Mileage: 196,000
REAR FRAME RAIL RUST. THE CAR STATED TO ACCUMULATE RUST ON THE FRAME RAILS OF THE CAR THAT CONNECTS THE REAR SUBFRAME AND REAR TOE ARM. FAILURE OF THESE AREAS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER DID A POOR JOB CORROSION PROOFING THIS AREA ON THIS MODEL YEAR. THE CAR HAD A 7 YEAR/ 100,000 RUST WARRANTY IN WHICH I AM SURE THIS PROBLEM DEVELOPED WITHIN THAT COVERAGE BUT WAS HARD TO NOTICE UNTIL RUST STARTED FORMING ON THE OUTSIDE FRAME WHICH IS HARD TO SEE WITHOUT JACKING UP THE CAR. *TR
Mileage: 99,000
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.
Mileage: 143,000
AFTER THEY CHANGE THE AIRBAGS FROM THE WARNING LIGHTS IS ON AND DEALERS CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM?
AFTER THEY CHANGE THE AIRBAGS FROM THE WARNING LIGHTS IS ON AND DEALERS CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM?
AFTER THEY CHANGE THE AIRBAGS FROM THE WARNING LIGHTS IS ON AND DEALERS CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM?
REAR CHASSIS MEMBER (A FRAME RAIL) CORRODED CLOSE TO THE POINT WHERE REAR SUBFRAME IS CONNECTED. IT IS NOW A SAFETY CONCERN TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AS ANY SIGNIFICANT IMPACT MAY CAUSE THE REAR SUSPENSION TO DETACH. THERE WAS ALREADY A RECALL ON RUST OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME HOWEVER IT SEEMS THAT THE PROBLEM IS IN INADEQUATE UNDERCARRIAGE PROTECTION
Mileage: 116,000
REAR CHASSIS MEMBER (A FRAME RAIL) CORRODED CLOSE TO THE POINT WHERE REAR SUBFRAME IS CONNECTED. IT IS NOW A SAFETY CONCERN TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AS ANY SIGNIFICANT IMPACT MAY CAUSE THE REAR SUSPENSION TO DETACH. THERE WAS ALREADY A RECALL ON RUST OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME HOWEVER IT SEEMS THAT THE PROBLEM IS IN INADEQUATE UNDERCARRIAGE PROTECTION
Mileage: 116,000
REAR FRAME RAILS RUST CLOSE TO POINTS WHERE THE REAR SUBFRAME IS BOLTED ON. INSUFFICIENT SEALANT/COATING CAUSES RUST DAMAGE THAT CAN LEAD TO STRUCTURAL WEAKNESS.
Mileage: 100,000
REAR FRAME RAILS RUST CLOSE TO POINTS WHERE THE REAR SUBFRAME IS BOLTED ON. INSUFFICIENT SEALANT/COATING CAUSES RUST DAMAGE THAT CAN LEAD TO STRUCTURAL WEAKNESS.
Mileage: 100,000
DRIVER AIR BAG THE BOARD LIGHT WENT ON, ABOUT 10 MONTHS, WITH NO REASON WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY
Mileage: 129,300
TAKATA RECALL: I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR MY MOTHER'S CAR. THE CAR WAS TOTALED MORE THAN 5 YEARS AGO, AND MY MOTHER HAS BEEN DEAD FOR A YEAR AND A HALF. IS THERE ANY WAY TO HAVE THIS VIN: [XXX], REMOVED FROM DATABASES? IT IS ANNOYING AND PAINFUL TO RECEIVE MAIL CONCERNING A WRECKED CAR THAT BELONGED TO MY LATE MOTHER.; THANK YOU.; INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
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. T
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. T
APPLIED BRAKE, BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE, INSTEAD VEHICLE SPED UP CAUSING COLLISION.
Mileage: 118,000
APPLIED BRAKE, BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE, INSTEAD VEHICLE SPED UP CAUSING COLLISION.
Mileage: 118,000
RECALL.THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM DETACH AT THE CROSS-MEMBER. SUB FRAM SNAPED WHILE DRIVING OVER SPEED BUMP AT 4 MPH IF THAT. ON CITY ST . I WAS ON MY WAY TO GO ON EXPRESS WAY WHEN CAR WHEEL WENT CRAZY HURD LOUD BOOM LIKE I HIT SON THING BUT I WAS ONLY ROLLING OVER SPEED BUMP AT ABOUTV4 MILES CUZ IT WAS A BIG BUMP AND DID NOT WANT TO MESS MY CAR UP I DID NOT EVEN MAKE IT PASSES MY BACK TIERS. SO LED BUMP WAS NOW BETWEEN THE CAR AND I COULD NOT MOVE OR TIRE WAS GONNA COME OFF. I WAS NOT SPEEDING. I WAS IN MY WAY TO GO ON EXPRESS WAY. ME AND MY KIDS COULD OF DIED.
Mileage: 4
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.