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 the federal safety agency 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.
The worst 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags16
- Suspension9
- Body5
- Brakes4
- Lights4
- Acceleration3
- Visibility2
- Driver assistance1
- Electrical1
- Engine1
- Steering1
- Transmission1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer
Recalls 4
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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 injury or death.
- Remedy
- 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 service at 1‑888‑648‑7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-005.
Recall number 18V220000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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 injury or death.
- Remedy
- 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 Mitsubishi customer service at 1‑888‑648‑7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-17-001. Note: This recall supersedes recall 15V‑321.
Recall number 17V569000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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 member will be replaced with a new one that has a sealing/anti-corrosion agent applied to it. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1‑888‑648‑7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-003.
Recall number 16V458000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- 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 1‑888‑648‑7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-002.
Recall number 16V334000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer 69
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This Technical Information Notice informs dealers that with permission from the Puerto Rico Traffic Safety...
- This Technical Information Notice informs dealers that with permission from the Texas Department of Motor...
- This Technical Information Notice informs dealers that with permission from the Louisiana Motor Vehicle...
- This Technical Information Notice informs dealers that with permission from the Ohio Bureau of Motor...
- This is a Technical Information Notice informing dealers that MMNA is launching a social media campaign...
- This Technical Information Notice informs dealers that with permission from the Arizona Motor Vehicle...
- This Technical Information Notice informs dealers that with permission from the Georgia Department of...
- This is a Technical Information Notice informing dealers that with permission from the New York Department...
- This is a Technical Information Notice informing dealers that with permission from the California...
- This is a Technical Information Notice informing dealers that with permission from the Texas Department of...
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 22-23 | 29-31 | 25-26 |
| 2.4L 4‑cyl | FWD | 20 | 26-27 | 22-23 |
What 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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
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 the federal safety agency 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.
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. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and it was diagnosed that the sub-frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 196,000. The VIN was unavailable.
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 corrosion proofing this area on this model year. The car had a 7 year/ 100,000 rust warranty in which I am sure this problem developed within that coverage but was hard to notice until rust started forming on the outside frame which is hard to see without jacking up the car.
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 taken to auto gallery mitsubishi-corona (located at 2550 wardlow rd, corona, ca 92882, (951) 372-0008) where it was diagnosed that the temperature control unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 143,000.
After they change the airbags from the warning lights is on and dealers can't figure out what the problem?
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 was already a recall on rust of the front subframe however it seems that the problem is in inadequate undercarriage protection
Rear frame rails rust close to points where the rear subframe is bolted on. Insufficient sealant/coating causes rust damage that can lead to structural weakness.
Driver air bag the board light went on, about 10 months, with no reason when I was driving on the highway
Compare the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer
Other model years
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Questions about the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer
Is the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?
Owners have filed 37 complaints about the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer, close to a typical Lancer model year.
What is the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer year score?
The 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer scores 70 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mitsubishi Lancer: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Airbags, with 16 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles. Next is suspension (9).
How many recalls does the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer have?
4 recalls, covering air bags and suspension.
Was there a recall on the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer airbags?
Yes, 3 recalls: 18V220000, 17V569000, 16V334000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Mitsubishi Lancer have bad airbags?
The Mitsubishi Lancer model years with the most airbags complaints are 2002 (23 complaints), 2004 (19 complaints) and 2006 (16 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer get?
Official estimates for the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer range from 22 to 26 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 22-23 city and 29-31 highway.
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