Research · Compact Cars

2006 Mitsubishi LancerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 37 owner complaints for the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer. Most complaints involve air bags (16) and suspension (9). The EPA rates it 22–26 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
22–26mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Apr 2018
Owner complaints
37
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 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 6, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

37 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2006 – Aug 2022
  1. Air bags16
  2. Suspension9
  3. Structure5
  4. Exterior lighting4
  5. Vehicle speed control3
  6. Visibility/wiper2
  7. Service brakes2
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic2
  9. Power train1

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
5
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
3
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

16 reports1 crash
“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.; *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2018Air bagsODI 11130832

Suspension

9 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 12, 2022SuspensionODI 11478946

Structure

5 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 8, 2022StructureODI 11455652
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 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 6, 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
233126$2,450342
Lancer
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
222925$2,550355
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
202722$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
    23 city · 31 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Lancer
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    22 city · 29 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    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 · 27 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 6, 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 as of Nov 6, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 6, 2026Vehicle 1769
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 questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer have?

7 safety recalls as of Nov 6, 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 problems?

Owners filed 37 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (16), suspension (9), structure (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer at 22–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 6, 2026