AI Damage2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution: common problems
Owners of the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution filed 24 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and engine. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 24
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 42% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 13% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 13% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 13% of all complaints
- 5 Suspension 13% of all complaints
- 6 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 8% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 4% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 10 complaints (42% of all).
- Engine: 3 complaints (13% of all).
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (13% of all).
- Service brakes: 3 complaints (13% of all).
- Suspension: 3 complaints (13% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 24 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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 of my vehicle exhibits significant corrosion perforation where the rear axle and suspension mounts to the body. The rust is so bad, that I'm worried if I hit a pothole the entire rear subframe assembly / control arms could detach, resulting in an accident.
I have a recall on my 2006 mitsubishi for corrosion on subframe, I called my local dealer, they checked the car and ordered the cross member, so we made an appoint to take car into dealer for replacement, left the car with the dealer for the day, later that day I gotten a call stating they cannot get the bolts loose…
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.
There is an active center differential pump failure that is becoming common in all lancer evolutions of this year. Mine went out last year and I have been having to drive with it for a year now not knowing whether the differential is corroding at an accelerated rate of not.
Spring seat broke at weld joint to shock tube. Spring translated in the z direction until it was in direct contact with the tire. Upon breakage vehicle had extensive spring rubbing against tire.
The oem timing belt bracket tensioner was made incorrect and causes the timing belt to rub against metal. There has already been a replacement bracket made that corrects the issue but I think this needs to be a recall. Mitsubishi needs to own this one and make it right, it's a faulty part, initiate the recall.
Mitsubishi lancer evolution 9 rs model acd pump failure while driving under normal operating conditions.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 7,585 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 21% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Lancer Evolution has 21 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 24, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, engine, powertrain. Total complaints: 24. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: knocking, grinding or other noise (17%), steering or power steering problems (17%), rust, corrosion (13%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2006 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.