2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer has a Complaint Index of 67 and ranks 5th worst out of 13 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Airbags are the top problem area with 16 complaints (43% share), backed by 4 recall campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 67/100
- #5 of 13 Lancer years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 37
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags16 (43%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (24%)
- Brakes5 (14%)
- Structure & Body5 (14%)
- Electrical System4 (11%)
- Engine4 (11%)
- Other3 (8%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (5%)
- Steering1 (3%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags fail to deploy in a crash and warning lights stay illuminated without a diagnosable cause.
- Brakes reportedly fail to stop the vehicle during low-speed maneuvers, in one case causing the vehicle to speed up into a collision instead of stopping.
- Steering wheel input fails to turn the wheels, suspected to be a rack and pinion failure.
- Engine reportedly moves backward unintentionally in reverse gear with RPMs spiking before returning to normal.
- Owners report recall parts for airbag and suspension repairs were unavailable for extended periods, leaving vehicles unrepaired.
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V220000Apr 5, 2018Airbags17,120 vehicles
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 previously received or never received a new inflator under 15V321 or 17V569. These passenger side frontal air bag inflators may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to explode in the event of an air bag deployment.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will install a final replacement passenger side frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on April 26, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-005.
- NHTSA 17V569000Sep 14, 2017Airbags66,001 vehicles
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 the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with a different inflator, free of charge. The recall began on October 12, 2017. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-17-001. Note: This recall supersedes recall 15V-321.
- 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.
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?
- Compared to other Lancer model years, 2006 ranks 5th worst out of 13 with a Complaint Index of 67 and a Caution verdict. It has fewer complaints than the worst years like 2008 and 2009, but airbag and brake issues stand out.
- What are the main problems with the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer?
- NHTSA data shows airbags account for 43% of complaints, followed by suspension, wheels and tires at 24% and brakes at 14%. Airbag issues have a median failure mileage of 100,000 miles.
- Does the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2006 Lancer, three related to airbag inflators and one for front cross member corrosion affecting suspension.
- How does the 2006 Lancer compare to other years?
- The 2006 Lancer is rated Caution, worse than the 2005 Lancer (Good, index 25) but better than 2008, 2009, and 2010, which are all rated Avoid with indexes of 92, 100, and 83.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer?
- EPA rates the 2006 Lancer at 23 mpg combined (20 city / 27 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800.