YearToAvoid

2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

70/100

#4 most-complained of 11 Lancer Evolution years

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

The 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has 24 owner complaints and 2 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 70 out of 100 — #4 highest of 11 Lancer Evolution model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is engine (14 complaints, 58% of the total).

Complaints
24
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
18.5
16.5 city / 22.5 hwy

Top 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution problems

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

  1. Engine14 (58%)
  2. Brakes3 (13%)
  3. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (13%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain3 (13%)
  5. Electrical System2 (8%)
  6. Structure & Body2 (8%)
  7. Other1 (4%)
  8. Steering1 (4%)
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution complaints: complaints filed per month7Mar 2009Oct 2009Jan 2010Feb 2014Apr 2014Sep 2014Oct 2016Oct 2018
29 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2009 to Oct 2018; peak Nov 2009 (7).

2006 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 16V334000May 23, 2016Airbags38,628 vehicles

    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 or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 19, 2016. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-002.

2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution fuel economy and fuel cost

City
16.5 MPG
Highway
22.5 MPG
Combined
18.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,325
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.

2006 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—
2008Avoid9036418.5

All Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution ranks #4 of 11 among Lancer Evolution model years (Complaint Index 70/100, verdict: Caution). It has 24 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 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution?
The most reported problem areas are engine (14 complaints), brakes (3 complaints), and suspension, wheels & tires (3 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 35,500 miles.
Does the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, most recently reported 2016, covering suspension, wheels & tires and airbags.
What is the fuel economy of the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution?
EPA rates the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution at 18.5 MPG combined (16.5 city / 22.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,325. 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.