Research · Compact Cars

2005 Mitsubishi LancerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 24 owner complaints for the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer. Most complaints involve air bags (10) and suspension (2). The EPA rates it 22–26 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
22–26mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Apr 2018
Owner complaints
24
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Apr 5, 2018NHTSA 18V220000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Sep 14, 2017NHTSA 17V569000

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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 5, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

24 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2005 – Nov 2025
  1. Air bags10
  2. Suspension2
  3. Electrical system2
  4. Structure2
  5. Vehicle speed control2
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic2
  7. Steering1
  8. Exterior lighting1
  9. Engine1

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 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2002155
2003311
200483
200524
200637
20072
200891
2009121
201085
201149
201223
20135
201423
201526
201630
20176
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 5, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

10 reports3 crashes
“I SOLD THIS CAR LAST JULY 2018 THROUGH A TRADE-IN. PLEASE STOP SENDING ME ALL OF THESE HORRIFYING REMINDERS. IT IS NOT APPRECIATED. PLEASE REMOVE MY NAME AND ADDRESS FROM ALL MAILING LISTS. I DID NOT GET IT DONE WHEN I OWNED THE CAR AS THE DEALERSHIP WAS QUITE A DRIVE AND I COULD NOT DROP IT OFF. CAR IS SOLD.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 11, 2019Air bagsODI 11195712

Suspension

2 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CUP FROM THE BALL JOINTS, THE FRONT END, TIE ROD, UNKNOWN WIRING HARNESS AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN MITSUBISHI DEALER HOWEVER, WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED OUT OF POCKET. ADDITIONALLY, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 29, 2020Suspension, Exterior lighting, EngineODI 11341985

Electrical system

2 reports
“THE SIGNAL LIGHTS STOP WORKING ALSO THE HAZARDS. THE HORN REMAINS ON. A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY THAT IS A PROBLEM OF THE CAR INSIDE BODY THAT TAKE THE CONNECTOR OF THE JUNCTION BLOCK AND CORRODE THEM. A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEM IS IN MOTION AND STATIONARY.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 30, 2019Electrical systemODI 11216924
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 5, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars, Small Station Wagons
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl · 2.4L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular 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 5, 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
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
243126$2,450342
Lancer
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
222824$2,700370
Lancer
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202723$2,800386
Lancer
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202622$2,900404
Lancer Sportback
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202622$2,900404
  • Lancer
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    24 city · 31 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Lancer
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    22 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Lancer
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Lancer
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 26 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Lancer Sportback
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 26 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 5, 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 as of Nov 5, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 5, 2026Vehicle 1636
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 questions

How many recalls does the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer have?

6 safety recalls as of Nov 5, 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 problems?

Owners filed 24 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (10), suspension (2), electrical system (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer at 22–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 5, 2026