The 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 316,423 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS18V2200002018-04-0517,120 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
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.
AIR BAGS17V5690002017-09-1466,001 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
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…
SUSPENSION16V4580002016-06-23194,674 affected
Defect
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,…
Consequence
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…
AIR BAGS16V3340002016-05-2338,628 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
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.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
16
1crashes1injuries
SUSPENSION
9
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
4
STRUCTURE:BODY
4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
3
1crashes
SERVICE BRAKES
2
1crashes
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2
2crashes2injuries
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2
1crashes2injuries
VISIBILITY/WIPER
2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
1
1crashes1injuries
Total complaints52
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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.…”
“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”
“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…”
“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…”
“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.”
“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.”
“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…”
“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…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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