Mitsubishi · Lancer · 2006
7
Recalls
37
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer has 7 recalls and 37 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: air bags (11 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy Status
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy Status
ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy Status
TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
The contact owns a 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, she heard abnormal loud grinding sounds coming from underneath the front passenger's side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring increasingly while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that her mother had informed her that she had seen an unknown part hanging underneath the front passenger's side of the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that she would need to take the vehicle to their location for recall repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V458000 (Suspension). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 164,550.
When doing routine repair on the control arms, it was noted that there is a ginormous rust hole in the subframe where the control arm connects to aforementioned subframe
The contact owns a 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated while working on the vehicle, the contact noticed that there was a huge hole in the sub-frame due to rust. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and it was diagnosed that the sub-frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 196,000. The VIN was unavailable.
My lancer has very bad rear end chassis rust where the rear subframe is fastened to the monobody. In this area all the suspension components and rear drivetrain are located. Damage occurs due to salt and other corrosive agents that are used for roads in Connecticut to melt snow. These agents rust the car where Mitsubishi failed to properly protect the steel under the rear end of the vehicle. It is widely observed that the 03-06 lancer has from factory a poor to almost no anti rust agent applied to the lower rear chassis area of the car where the subframe crossmember is located that holds suspension components and rear differential. Currently under nhtsa campaign 16V458000, there is a safety recall for the front subframe crossmember due to rust damage. As for the rear of the car there most certainly should be a safety campaign as the rust in this area develops quicker and can cause a catastrophic failure.
REAR CHASSIS MEMBER (A FRAME RAIL) CORRODED CLOSE TO THE POINT WHERE REAR SUBFRAME IS CONNECTED. IT IS NOW A SAFETY CONCERN TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AS ANY SIGNIFICANT IMPACT MAY CAUSE THE REAR SUSPENSION TO DETACH. THERE WAS ALREADY A RECALL ON RUST OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME HOWEVER IT SEEMS THAT THE PROBLEM IS IN INADEQUATE UNDERCARRIAGE PROTECTION
REAR FRAME RAILS RUST CLOSE TO POINTS WHERE THE REAR SUBFRAME IS BOLTED ON. INSUFFICIENT SEALANT/COATING CAUSES RUST DAMAGE THAT CAN LEAD TO STRUCTURAL WEAKNESS.
AFTER THEY CHANGE THE AIRBAGS FROM THE WARNING LIGHTS IS ON AND DEALERS CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO USE THE DEFROSTER, WHICH PREVENTED HIM FROM SEEING OUT THE WINDOW. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTO GALLERY MITSUBISHI-CORONA (LOCATED AT 2550 WARDLOW RD, CORONA, CA 92882, (951) 372-0008) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.
TAKATA RECALL: I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR MY MOTHER'S CAR. THE CAR WAS TOTALED MORE THAN 5 YEARS AGO, AND MY MOTHER HAS BEEN DEAD FOR A YEAR AND A HALF. IS THERE ANY WAY TO HAVE THIS VIN: [XXX], REMOVED FROM DATABASES? IT IS ANNOYING AND PAINFUL TO RECEIVE MAIL CONCERNING A WRECKED CAR THAT BELONGED TO MY LATE MOTHER.; THANK YOU.; INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
DRIVER AIR BAG THE BOARD LIGHT WENT ON, ABOUT 10 MONTHS, WITH NO REASON WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY
APPLIED BRAKE, BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE, INSTEAD VEHICLE SPED UP CAUSING COLLISION.
RECALL.THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM DETACH AT THE CROSS-MEMBER. SUB FRAM SNAPED WHILE DRIVING OVER SPEED BUMP AT 4 MPH IF THAT. ON CITY ST . I WAS ON MY WAY TO GO ON EXPRESS WAY WHEN CAR WHEEL WENT CRAZY HURD LOUD BOOM LIKE I HIT SON THING BUT I WAS ONLY ROLLING OVER SPEED BUMP AT ABOUTV4 MILES CUZ IT WAS A BIG BUMP AND DID NOT WANT TO MESS MY CAR UP I DID NOT EVEN MAKE IT PASSES MY BACK TIERS. SO LED BUMP WAS NOW BETWEEN THE CAR AND I COULD NOT MOVE OR TIRE WAS GONNA COME OFF. I WAS NOT SPEEDING. I WAS IN MY WAY TO GO ON EXPRESS WAY. ME AND MY KIDS COULD OF DIED.
WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR OUR 2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WE NO LONGER HAVE THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY THAT CAME WITH THIS CAR AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. I HAVE TALKED TO MITSUBISHI RECALL CENTER ABOUT THIS VERY DANGEROUS AIRBAG THAT HAS ALREADY KILLED 23 PEOPLE: UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS NOT A DEALERSHIP WHERE I LIVE, SO ACCORDING TO THE MITSUBISHI CASE WORKER ONE OF US WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP IN ORLAND CA: WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 5 HOURS AWAY/ THIS CAR HAS 130,000 MILES ON IT AND CAN HEAR A TAPPING NOISE WHEN FIRST STARTING. BECAUSE OF THIS NOISE, MY HUSBAND FEELS THIS CAR MAY BREAK DOWN ON THE WAY TO THIS DEALERSHIP. MY HUSBAND ALSO HAS A HARD TIME GETTING TIME OFF, "DUE TO THE NATURE OF HIS JOB," AND I HAVE ANXIETY AND AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR. I ALSO HAVE A HARD TIME DRIVING LONG DISTANCES DUE TO A TORN MENISCUS THAT I HAD SURGERY FOR IN FEBRUARY OF 2017. UNFORTUNATELY, I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS KNEE AND AM CURRENTLY STILL ON DISABILITY FROM THIS INJURY. THIS I HAVE RELATED TO THE MITSUBISHI CASE MANAGER WHO WAS ASSIGNED TO US. SHE SAID THAT ALL SHE CAN DO FOR US IS GIVE US $100.00 FOR THE COST OF GAS AND SHE DID NOT OFFER ANY OTHER SOLUTIONS, EVEN AFTER I EXPLAINED THE ABOVE TO HER. ARE WE REALLY STUCK WITH THIS OFFER? CAN YOU HELP US WITH THIS? DOES. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH MAKING PEOPLE TAKE A RISK TO FIX. THEY ARE PLAYING RUSSIAN ROULETTE WITH OUR LIVES. SINCERELY, INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
OVER TIME THE VEHICLES ORIGINAL HEADLAMPS HAVE FADED TO A POINT WHERE IT IS AFFECTING DRIVER VISIBILITY. THIS WAS NOT THE CASE WITH GLASS FIXTURES MANY YEARS AGO. I HAVE NOTICED THIS ISSUE ON MANY AUTOMOBILES SINCE THE ADOPTION OF PLASTIC HEADLAMPS. BASED ON PERFORMANCE, IT IS OBVIOUS PLASTIC HEADLAMPS ARE CAUSING ISSUES WITH VISIBILITY AND SHOULD BE BANNED OR AT LEAST EXAMINED FOR A BETTER SOLUTION.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR KEPT ILLUMINATING. THE DEALER (RON MARHOFER MITSUBISHI, 1260 MAIN ST B, CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH 44221, 1-(844) 627-2533) STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND DID NOT PROVIDE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V334000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V569000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT *TR
ACTIVATION OF A NONDESICCATED AMMONIUM NITRATE INFLATOR WITH DEGRADED PROPELLANT MAY RESULT IN AN INFLATOR RUPTURE. AN INFLATOR RUPTURE MAY CAUSE METAL FRAGMENTS TO PASS THROUGH THE AIR BAG AND INTO THE VEHICLE INTERIOR AT HIGH SPEED, WHICH MAY RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM DETACHED AND COULD NO LONGER CONTROL THE STEERING THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WOULD PREVIOUSLY NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000 (SUSPENSION) UNLESS IT WAS BUNDLED WITH OTHER COSTLY REPAIRS THAT THE CONTACT REFUSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 05/09/17*LJ *CN
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V334000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000 (SUSPENSION). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer has 7 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 37 owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer are air bags (11 reports), suspension (6 reports), structure (3 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 7 recalls on record for the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.