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Research · Compact Cars

2006 Mitsubishi Lancer EvolutionRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 34 owner complaints for the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Most complaints involve power train (11) and engine and engine cooling (10). The EPA rates it 18–19 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18–19mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jun 2016
Owner complaints
34
Top: power train
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

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported May 23, 2016NHTSA 16V334000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

34 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2006 – Oct 2018
  1. Power train11
  2. Engine and engine cooling10
  3. Suspension3
  4. Engine3
  5. Electrical system3
  6. Structure2
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic2
  8. Electronic stability control (esc)1
  9. Service brakes1

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
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
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

Power train

11 reports
“I WAS HEADING TO A CLASS WHEN I NOTICED MY CLUTCH PEDAL WENT ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE CLUTCH WAS STILL DISENGAGING/ENGAGING WHEN I SHIFTED SO I MADE IT TO MY DESTINATION. I WAS WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING IT BUT I DECIDED TO TRY AND SEE IF IT WAS STILL DOING IT, SO I TRIED TO BACK OUT OF A SPOT BUT IT WOULD NO LONGER GO INTO GEAR AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. TURNED OUT MY BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS FAULTY AND I LEARNED THROUGH ONLINE FORUMS AND FRIENDS THAT IT WAS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE LANCER EVOLUTION. I WAS SURPRISED AT THAT AND WONDERED WHY MITSUBISHI WOULD NOT ISSUE A RECALL FOR FAULTY BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS. IT DAWNED ON ME THAT MOST PEOPLE WITH THIS TYPE OF CAR ARE THE "DO IT YOURSELF" KIND OF PERSON AND MORE THAN LIKELY WERE FIXED BY THE OWNERS OF THE CARS, THEREFOR NEVER REPORTED THROUGH MECHANICS OR DEALERSHIPS. AFTER THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED, THE THROW OUT BEARING RETAINING CLIP CAME LOOSE AND DAMAGED THE PRESSURE PLATE. SO NOW IT IS BEING REPLACED, AND I BELIEVE IT WAS ALL CAUSED BY THE MASTER CYLINDER. HAD IT WORKED PROPERLY, I NEVER WOULD HAVE HAD THESE PROBLEMS AND SPENDING ALL THIS MONEY. WHAT I AM HOPING IS…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 25, 2016Power train, Service brakesODI 10870878

Engine and engine cooling

10 reports
“MY 2006 MITSUBISHI EVOLUTION 9 STARTED TO MAKE ABNORMAL ENGINE NOISES AUDIBLE WITHIN THE CAB. THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY AND IS MORE THAN WELL KEPT... THE NOISE COMES FROM WITHIN THE TIMING BELT COVER AND SOUNDS MUCH LIKE A WASHING MACHINE. THIS NOISE IS ALSO WELL DOCUMENTED AMONG EVO 9 OWNERS. HERE IS A LINK TO THE THREAD. HTTP://FORUMS.EVOLUTIONM.NET/EVO-ENGINE-TURBO-DRIVETRAIN/262773-IX-ENGINE-IDLE-NOISE-BELT-VIDEO.HTML IT APPEARS THAT THE TIMING WHEEL RUBS ON THE TIMING BELT AND CAUSES THIS NOISE. THE CURRENT FIX IS TO REPLACE YOUR TIMING BELT, CRANKSHAFT BLADE(TIMING WHEEL), AND TIMING BELT TENSIONER REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE OR TIMING BELT SERVICE INTERVALS AT THE EXPENSE OF THE OWNER. IF THE TIMING BELT WERE TO FAIL FROM HEAT GENERATED DUE TO FRICTION (RUBBING) THE ENGINE WOULD BE DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR (INTERFERENCE ENGINE) NOT TO MENTION THE VEHICLE WOULD BE STRANDED... AND THE FAILURE MODE HAS A VERY HIGH CHANGE OF CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. A SIMPLE FMEA WOULD SHOW THIS TO BE A GLARING ISSUE. TO SPEAK TO HOW OFTEN THIS OCCURS...THE SOUND IS PRESENT ANY TIME THE ENGINE IS IDLING, HOWEVER BELT FAILURE FROM THIS ISSUE COULD…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 12, 2010Engine and engine coolingODI 10370304

Suspension

3 reports
“REAR SUBFRAME WHERE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND SUSPENSION BOLTS ONTO IS RUSTED, JUST LIKE THE FRONT SUBFRAME . MANY OWNERS 2003-2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. MITSUBISHI RECENTLY ISSUED A RECALL ON THE FRONT SUBFRAME DUE TO RUST. THE REAR SUBFRAME IS ALSO A CONCERN AND IS WORST THAN THE FRONT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 14, 2018Suspension, StructureODI 11140222
All 2006 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
172319$4,050468
Lancer Evolution
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162218$4,300494
  • Lancer Evolution
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    17 city · 23 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Lancer Evolution
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    16 city · 22 hwy · $4,300/yr
    18
    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 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 7, 2026Vehicle 1942
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

2006 Lancer Evolution questions

How many recalls does the 2006 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 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution problems?

Owners filed 34 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (11), engine and engine cooling (10), suspension (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution at 18–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026