YearToAvoid

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

80/100

#3 most-complained of 11 Lancer Evolution years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has 14 owner complaints and 2 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 80 out of 100 — #3 highest of 11 Lancer Evolution model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is suspension, wheels & tires (5 complaints, 36% of the total). Complaints report 2 crashes and 2 injuries.

Complaints
14
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
19
17 city / 23.5 hwy

Top 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (36%)
  2. Steering4 (29%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain3 (21%)
  4. Airbags2 (14%)
  5. Other2 (14%)
  6. Structure & Body2 (14%)
  7. Brakes1 (7%)
  8. Electrical System1 (7%)
  9. Engine1 (7%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers1 (7%)
2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution complaints: complaints filed per month6Sep 2005Jan 2006Jan 2007May 2012Dec 2016
22 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2005 to Jan 2017; peak Nov 2016 (6).

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 16V458000Jun 23, 2016Suspension, Wheels & Tires194,674 vehicles

    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, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.

    Risk: A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied or the front cross member will be replaced with a new one that has a sealing/anti-corrosion agent applied to it. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-003.

  2. NHTSA 05V335000Jul 27, 2005Engine1,179 vehicles

    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.

    Risk: If a leak occurs, during vehicle operation when the manifold is hot, coolant may ignite and cause a vehicle fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the turbo charger coolant hose free of charge. The recall began on august 15, 2005. Owners may contact mitsubishi at 888-648-7820.

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution fuel economy and fuel cost

City
17 MPG
Highway
23.5 MPG
Combined
19 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,200
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2005 compared with other Lancer Evolution years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020052006200720082009201020112012201320142015
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Avoid8014219
2006Caution7024218.5
2007No verdict001—

All Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution ranks #3 of 11 among Lancer Evolution model years (Complaint Index 80/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 14 complaints and 2 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution?
The most reported problem areas are suspension, wheels & tires (5 complaints), steering (4 complaints), and transmission & powertrain (3 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 65,000 miles.
Does the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, most recently reported 2016, covering suspension, wheels & tires and engine.
What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution?
EPA rates the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution at 19 MPG combined (17 city / 23.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,200. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.