2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer.

20052007
Complaints
52
Crashes
10
Fires
0
Injuries
9
Fatalities
Recalls
4

Worst 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#116 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:83,257 mi
Crash-related:1
#29 complaints

Suspension Failures

Avg mileage:104,111 mi
#34 complaints

Headlight/Taillight Failures

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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer.

Airbags
16
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
83,257
Suspension Failures
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
104,111
Headlight/Taillight Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical Faults
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control:Automatic (Asc)
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Other Equipment
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering:Rack And Pinion:Rack
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer

4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~316,423 vehicles.

18V220000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~17,120 affected

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.

17V569000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~66,001 affected

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.

16V458000Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
~194,674 affected

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.

16V334000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~38,628 affected

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.

Other Mitsubishi Lancer Years

2006 Mitsubishi Lancer — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer has 52 NHTSA complaints, 10 crash-related, and 4 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 16 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Top reported problems: Airbags (16 complaints, avg 83,257 mi); Suspension Failures (9 complaints, avg 104,111 mi); Headlight/Taillight Failures (4 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 90,764 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer?
NHTSA complaints for the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer include 10 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 9 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 316,423 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Mitsubishi Lancer reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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