MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION · model year

2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION

22 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2005MITSUBISHILANCER EVOLUTION carries 22 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 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 EVOLUTION is suspension with 3 filings, followed by power train:clutch assembly (2) and steering:hydraulic power assist system (2). 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 2 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 EVOLUTION. 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.

22
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

22 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SUSPENSION3
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY2
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
AIR BAGS2
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK1
TIRES1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
VISIBILITY1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
STEERING1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM1
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS1
POWER TRAIN1

Recalls (2)

05V33500027/07/2005

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE TURBO CHARGER COOLANT HOSE WAS INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED, AND MAY ALLOW COOLANT LEAKAGE.

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,

Recent Complaints

20170130AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V321000 (AIR BAGS) FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG INFLATOR AND 16V458000 (SUSPENSION) FOR THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20170130SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V321000 (AIR BAGS) FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG INFLATOR AND 16V458000 (SUSPENSION) FOR THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20161231STRUCTURE:BODY

FOUND EXCESSIVE RUST CAUSING STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO REAR UNI BODY FRAME SIDE MEMBERS. APPEARS TO HAVE RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT, SIMILAR TO THEIR CURRENT FRONT SUB FRAME RUST RECALL. AT THIS TIME NO ACCIDENTS/ DAMAGE CAUSED BUT LIKELY WILL RESULT IN UNI BODY WEAKENING AND POSSIBLE SUSPENSION/ STRUCTURAL FAILURE

Mileage: 95,000

20161128UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHILE DRIVING I HAD ALL 3 ACD LIGHTS COME ON. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATING AND A TRIP TO THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD MY ACD PUMP WAS BAD AND I WOULD NEED A NEW ONE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE CARS THAT STILL HASN'T BEEN FIXED WITH THE NEWER MODELS. I WAS QUOTED 2400 DOLLARS JUST FOR THE PUMP, NOT INCLUDING LABOR, AND THAT DOESN'T GUARANTEE THAT IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

20161128POWER TRAIN

WHILE DRIVING I HAD ALL 3 ACD LIGHTS COME ON. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATING AND A TRIP TO THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD MY ACD PUMP WAS BAD AND I WOULD NEED A NEW ONE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE CARS THAT STILL HASN'T BEEN FIXED WITH THE NEWER MODELS. I WAS QUOTED 2400 DOLLARS JUST FOR THE PUMP, NOT INCLUDING LABOR, AND THAT DOESN'T GUARANTEE THAT IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

20161125SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY UNSTABLE AND PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED SEVERE OVERSTEERING WHEN TURNING. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS FAULTY DUE TO CORROSION AND RUSTING OF THE SUBFRAME. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000 (SUSPENSION) IN WHICH AN ANTI-CORROSION AGENT WAS APPLIED, BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000.

Mileage: 187,000

20161125STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY UNSTABLE AND PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED SEVERE OVERSTEERING WHEN TURNING. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS FAULTY DUE TO CORROSION AND RUSTING OF THE SUBFRAME. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000 (SUSPENSION) IN WHICH AN ANTI-CORROSION AGENT WAS APPLIED, BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000.

Mileage: 187,000

20161122STEERING

LOWER CONTROL ARM LOOSE / DISCONNECTED FROM SUBFRAME, CAUSING STABILITY AND CONTROL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN UNSAFE OPERATION AT ANY SPEED AND AT ANY TIME WHICH THE VEHICLE IA BEING OPERATED.THE SOCKET ON THE SUBFRAME HAS DEEP RUST AND AN IRREGULAR HOLE VISIBLE. BOB PENKHUS MITSUBISHI REFUSES TO PERFORM THE RECALL WHICH ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE OF CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME, SPECIFICALLY WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHES TO THE VEHICLE.

Mileage: 187,000

20161122SUSPENSION

LOWER CONTROL ARM LOOSE / DISCONNECTED FROM SUBFRAME, CAUSING STABILITY AND CONTROL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN UNSAFE OPERATION AT ANY SPEED AND AT ANY TIME WHICH THE VEHICLE IA BEING OPERATED.THE SOCKET ON THE SUBFRAME HAS DEEP RUST AND AN IRREGULAR HOLE VISIBLE. BOB PENKHUS MITSUBISHI REFUSES TO PERFORM THE RECALL WHICH ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE OF CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME, SPECIFICALLY WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHES TO THE VEHICLE.

Mileage: 187,000

20120510AIR BAGS

THE SRS AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, THE WIPERS WON'T STOP RUNNING. THE HORN STARTS ON ITSELF. ALL IS RELATED TO WATER ENTERING IN THE INNER FENDER, SHORTING ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS. THIS HAPPENS WHEN IT'S RAINY OUTSIDE. THIS HAPPENS TO EVERY EVOLUTION OWNER THAT I KNOW. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A RISK WITH AIR BAGS NOT WORKING CAUSED BY THAT, BUT THAT HIGHLY CONCERNS ME. IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT, I WOULD WANT TO BE SURE THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY... THANKS FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

20120510VISIBILITY

THE SRS AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, THE WIPERS WON'T STOP RUNNING. THE HORN STARTS ON ITSELF. ALL IS RELATED TO WATER ENTERING IN THE INNER FENDER, SHORTING ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS. THIS HAPPENS WHEN IT'S RAINY OUTSIDE. THIS HAPPENS TO EVERY EVOLUTION OWNER THAT I KNOW. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A RISK WITH AIR BAGS NOT WORKING CAUSED BY THAT, BUT THAT HIGHLY CONCERNS ME. IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT, I WOULD WANT TO BE SURE THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY... THANKS FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

20120510ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE SRS AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, THE WIPERS WON'T STOP RUNNING. THE HORN STARTS ON ITSELF. ALL IS RELATED TO WATER ENTERING IN THE INNER FENDER, SHORTING ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS. THIS HAPPENS WHEN IT'S RAINY OUTSIDE. THIS HAPPENS TO EVERY EVOLUTION OWNER THAT I KNOW. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A RISK WITH AIR BAGS NOT WORKING CAUSED BY THAT, BUT THAT HIGHLY CONCERNS ME. IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT, I WOULD WANT TO BE SURE THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY... THANKS FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

20080619ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MY CAR WAS PURCHASED ON 11/23/05. ONE WEEK AFTER PURCHASE, SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT MY OIL WAS REALLY LOW AND ADDED A QUART OF OIL. HE ADVISED ME TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL REGULARLY. I NOTICED THAT I HAD TO ADD A QUART OF OIL EVERY 1,000 MILES OR SO. I VOICED MY CONCERN TO THE SERVICE MANAGER WHEN I HAD MY FIRST OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD THAT "A QUART OF OIL LOSS PER 1,000 MILES IS NORMAL". I CHECKED MY OIL REGULARLY TO AVOID ANY PROBLEMS UNTIL ONE DAY, I FOUND OUT ABOUT OIL CONSUMPTION TESTS. I TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT IT AND HE ARRANGED TO HAVE IT DONE ON MY NEXT OIL CHANGE. THE FIRST OIL CONSUMPTION TEST REVEALED ABNORMAL RESULTS WHICH PROMPTED THEM TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. ANOTHER OIL CONSUMPTION TEST WAS DONE AND IT SHOWED A MORE FAVORABLE RESULT. I CHECK THE OIL LEVEL REGULARLY AND STILL NOTICE THAT I ADD A QUART OF OIL EVERY 1,000 MILES. I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT IT AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NORMAL. I WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER TO HAVE THE OIL CONSUMPTION CHECKED. T

20070112SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

TURNED WARPED BRAKE ROTOR. PROBLEM CAME BACK, UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO POOR HANDLING WHEN BRAKING. *JB

20060209TIRES

CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING THE NEED FOR MUD FLAPS ON 2005 MITSUBISHI EVOLUTION VIII LANCER. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED WITHOUT THE MUD FLAPS, THE TIRES STICK OUT 1.5 INCHES PAST WHEEL WELLS. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN A RIGHT TURN WAS MADE, OR A SPEED BUMP WAS HIT, A STRANGE NOISE WOULD EMIT FROM THE VEHICLE AND THEN A POP SOUND COULD BE HEARD. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER GRAVEL WAS STUCK INTO HE CALIPERS, SHOCK TOWERS, BRAKES AND SPRINGS AND IT WOULD WORK ITSELF OUT. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THE CONSUMER TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A CAR WASH, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS WASHED. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE SO BADLY WORN. *JB

20060209UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING THE NEED FOR MUD FLAPS ON 2005 MITSUBISHI EVOLUTION VIII LANCER. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED WITHOUT THE MUD FLAPS, THE TIRES STICK OUT 1.5 INCHES PAST WHEEL WELLS. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN A RIGHT TURN WAS MADE, OR A SPEED BUMP WAS HIT, A STRANGE NOISE WOULD EMIT FROM THE VEHICLE AND THEN A POP SOUND COULD BE HEARD. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER GRAVEL WAS STUCK INTO HE CALIPERS, SHOCK TOWERS, BRAKES AND SPRINGS AND IT WOULD WORK ITSELF OUT. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THE CONSUMER TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A CAR WASH, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS WASHED. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE SO BADLY WORN. *JB

20060202SUSPENSION

FRONT BEARINGS ARE LOOSE CAUSING ERRATIC STEERING, PREMATURE TIRE WEAR AND PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR. *JB

Mileage: 1

20060202STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK

FRONT BEARINGS ARE LOOSE CAUSING ERRATIC STEERING, PREMATURE TIRE WEAR AND PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR. *JB

Mileage: 1

20060123CrashSTEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

PRIOR TO THE AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT ON DECEMBER 27, 2005 THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. WAS PURCHASED IN JULY OF 2005 (DEMO CAR-USED). THE ACCIDENT HAPPEN AS FOLLOWS, IT WAS COLD THAT NIGHT I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN GOING WEST INTO THE MIDDLE LANE. UNFORTUNATELY MY CAR DID NOT GO STRAIGHT BUT CONTINUE TO TURN. I CROSSED OVER FAR RIGHT LANE, THEN THE SIDE WALK INTO AN UTILITY POLL. COULD NOT CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL OF THE CAR. THE WHEEL LOCKED, COULD NOT TURN THE CAR AT ALL. THE CAR CRASHED INTO AN UTILITY POLL IMPLODING BOTH AIR BAGS. MY INSURANCE COMPANY'S ADJUSTER DEEMED IT A TOTAL LOSS NON-REPAIR. NOT SURE IF THERE WERE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL OF CAR AT ALL, JUST WANTED TO REPORT THIS INCIDENT WITH THE DEALERSHIP TO INFORMED THEM OF WHAT HAPPEN, SO THAT IT WOULD BE ON THEIR RECORDS, JUST IN CASE ANOTHER INCIDENT HAPPEN WITH THIS MODELED CAR TO SOMEONE ELSE THAT WAS ALL, BUT THEY DID NOT ASSIST ME. I WANTED TO SEE IF THERE COULD BE A INVESTIGATION TO LOOK AT THE CAR TO

20060123CrashSTEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

PRIOR TO THE AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT ON DECEMBER 27,2005 THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE TO MY KNOWLEDGE. IT WAS PURCHASED IN JULY 2005 , DEMO-USED CAR. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED AS FOLLOWS: IT WAS VERY COLD THAT EVENING, I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN GOING WEST INTO THE MIDDLE LANE, UNFORTUNATELY MY CAR DID NOT GO STRAIGHT, BUT CONTINUE TO TURN. I CROSSED OVER TO THE FAR RIGHT LANE, THEN THE SIDE WALK INTO AN UTILITY POLL. COULD NOT CONTROL THE WHEEL OF THE CAR, THE WHEEL LOCKED, COULD NOT TURN THE CAR. THE CAR CRASHED INTO AN UTILITY POLL, IMPLODING BOTH AIR BAGS. MY INSURANCE COMPANY'S ADJUSTER DEEMED IT A TOTAL LOSS, NON-REPAIRABLE. NOT SURE IF THERE WERE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL AT ALL, JUST WANTED TO REPORT THIS INCIDENT WITH THE DEALERSHIP TO INFORMED THEM OF WHAT HAPPEN THAT IT WOULD BE ON THEIR RECORDS, JUST IN CASE ANOTHER INCIDENT HAPPEN WITH THIS MODELED CAR TO SOMEONE ELSE, THAT WAS ALL, BUT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT ASSIST ME. I WANTED TO SEE IF THERE COULD BE AN INVES

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NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION have?
The 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION has 22 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION?
Yes, the 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION?
The most-complained component for the 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION is SUSPENSION with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY and STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM.
Is the 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION 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.