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Research · Compact Cars

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer EvolutionRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 16 owner complaints for the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Most complaints involve suspension (4) and power train (4). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jun 2016
Owner complaints
16
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$4,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Suspension: lower arm

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Jun 23, 2016NHTSA 16V458000

Engine and engine cooling: hoses

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE TURBO CHARGER COOLANT HOSE WAS INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED, AND MAY ALLOW COOLANT LEAKAGE.

Engine and engine coolingReported Jul 27, 2005NHTSA 05V335000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

16 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2005 – Nov 2017
  1. Suspension4
  2. Power train4
  3. Steering4
  4. Electrical system2
  5. Air bags2
  6. Structure2
  7. Exterior lighting1
  8. Visibility/wiper1
  9. Visibility1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Lancer Evolution model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20042
200516
200634
200859
20092
201079
201145
20123
20134
201422
201526
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Suspension

4 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V321000 (AIR BAGS) FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG INFLATOR AND 16V458000 (SUSPENSION) FOR THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 30, 2017Suspension, Air bagsODI 10948519

Power train

4 reports1 crash
“WHILE DRIVING I HAD ALL 3 ACD LIGHTS COME ON. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATING AND A TRIP TO THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD MY ACD PUMP WAS BAD AND I WOULD NEED A NEW ONE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE CARS THAT STILL HASN'T BEEN FIXED WITH THE NEWER MODELS. I WAS QUOTED 2400 DOLLARS JUST FOR THE PUMP, NOT INCLUDING LABOR, AND THAT DOESN'T GUARANTEE THAT IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 28, 2016Power train, Unknown or otherODI 10928414

Steering

4 reports2 crashes
“LOWER CONTROL ARM LOOSE / DISCONNECTED FROM SUBFRAME, CAUSING STABILITY AND CONTROL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN UNSAFE OPERATION AT ANY SPEED AND AT ANY TIME WHICH THE VEHICLE IA BEING OPERATED.THE SOCKET ON THE SUBFRAME HAS DEEP RUST AND AN IRREGULAR HOLE VISIBLE. BOB PENKHUS MITSUBISHI REFUSES TO PERFORM THE RECALL WHICH ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE OF CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME, SPECIFICALLY WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHES TO THE VEHICLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 22, 2016Steering, SuspensionODI 10927500
All 2005 Lancer Evolution problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Manual 6-spd
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Lancer Evolution
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172419$4,050468
Lancer Evolution
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172319$4,050468
  • Lancer Evolution
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    17 city · 24 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Lancer Evolution
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    17 city · 23 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 7, 2026Vehicle 1422
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2005 Lancer Evolution questions

How many recalls does the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 7, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution problems?

Owners filed 16 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (4), power train (4), steering (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026