Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer, and it carries 7 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 11 | 30% |
| Suspension | 6 | 16% |
| Structure | 3 | 8% |
| Suspension | 2 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 5% |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 3% |
| Air bags | 1 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 stat
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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
NHTSA complaint: Structure
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
NHTSA complaint: Structure
REAR FRAME RAIL RUST. THE CAR STATED TO ACCUMULATE RUST ON THE FRAME RAILS OF THE CAR THAT CONNECTS THE REAR SUBFRAME AND REAR TOE ARM. FAILURE OF THESE AREAS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER DID A POOR JOB CORROS
NHTSA complaint: Structure
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 TAK
NHTSA complaint: Visibility/wiper
AFTER THEY CHANGE THE AIRBAGS FROM THE WARNING LIGHTS IS ON AND DEALERS CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM?
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
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 WA
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 th
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 inj
Fix: 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 Mitsu
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 p
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 inj
Fix: 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 se
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,
Risk: A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 membe
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
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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 1-888-648-782
| Reliability raw | 70 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 72 | good |
| Maintenance | 72 | good |
| Depreciation | 55 | average |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 46 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 11 of them (30%). There are 7 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 70/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 72/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 64/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.