The Lemon Index
2005
20087th generation
Worse than average · most complaints: transmission & drivetrain
Better years to buy
23 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–26 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2006 Honda Civic 2022006 Toyota Corolla 422006 Hyundai Elantra 48
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer
- Rust / frame corrosion11 complaintsmostly at 48,000–116,000 miles (77,000–187,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 71 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 12,000 and 35,000 miles (19,000–56,000 km) (the middle half of the 22 complaints, of all 23 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 18V220000 (airbags), 17V569000 (airbags) and 16V458000 (suspension) done? It has 7 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Mitsubishi sent dealers 75 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Freeze-frame data for misfire conditions”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Mitsubishi's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 23 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 12K to 35K miles (19K to 56K km) on the car (22 of all 23 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Owned 1 2006 Lancer evolution, and transmission failed 4 times. Manufacture bought back, purchased 2nd Lancer evo, same dealership, transmission problem s again after 15 k miles.
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer owner · NHTSA complaint 10210851
More owner reports
I have a 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer evolution se. The car only has 13,000 miles and the clutch has failed. Its a $2,600 repair. Mitsubishi refuses to fix it under warranty.
NHTSA complaint 10224658
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer evolution ix at 35,000 had to replace the clutch and refurbish the flywheel. Over $1100 and it was not covered by the warranty because the clutch was worn not defective.
NHTSA complaint 10221094
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 20.5M views · 2002–2007 Mitsubishi Lancer
Most-watched topics
- Steering & suspension309K views
![Wheel Bearing Replacement - Part 1 [2002 Mitsubishi Lancer]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fvCH4wAWEt0/mqdefault.jpg)
Wheel Bearing Replacement - Part 1 [2002 Mitsubishi Lancer]MattsMotorz · 226K views · 4 videos - Spark plugs & ignition coils294K views
How to replace ignition coils, Spark Plugs and wires 2002 Mitsubishi LancerMicah G Robinson · 166K views · 3 videos - Death wobble & steering284K views
AC, Power steering, Serpentine belt replacement Mitsubishi Lancer ES 2005em7th · 203K views · 2 videos - Transmission & shifter151K views
Mitsubishi Lancer 2003 ES - Quick Auto Transmission Fluid ChangeKong Chang · 74K views · 4 videos
Show 2 more
Before you buy, watch
Mitsubishi lancer 2003 problemsMarlon _ · 39K views
Regular Car Reviews: 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MRRegular Car Reviews · 1.0M views
Review: 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX MRMatt Maran Motoring · 630K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2006 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Mitsubishi told dealers about
Mitsubishi sent dealers 75 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Freeze-frame data for misfire conditions
- Hard to start engine
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 7
- Airbags · recall issued 2018
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.
- Airbags · recall issued 2017
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.
- Suspension · recall issued 2016
In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross me.
Show all 7 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
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.
- Lights · recall issued 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Lights · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Lights · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Mitsubishi Lancer recall, all years · All Mitsubishi recalls
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★☆☆☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,300–$4,200 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
Every Mitsubishi Lancer year. 2006 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 4 older years (2002–2007, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 9 Mitsubishi Lancer years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2006 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mitsubishi-lancer/?y=2006" title="Mitsubishi Lancer reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/mitsubishi-lancer/2006/">Lemon Index</a> (2006 Mitsubishi Lancer reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about one and a half times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 157; 100 is average, lower is better). The Mitsubishi Lancer year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (30%), engine (26%) and brakes (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer have?
7 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer get?
18 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 12,000 and 35,000 miles (19,000–56,000 km) (the middle half of the 22 complaints, of all 23 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2006 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 30% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer cost in fuel a year?
About $2,300 to $4,200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Mitsubishi Lancer year is better than the 2006?
Nearby, the 2008 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (somewhat fewer complaints than the average car). Across every year, 2010 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works