Before you buy
This 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has 34 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Engine Problems.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
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2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 2 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 2 trims analysed.
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION 2006 has 34 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls. Engine problems (13 complaints) and transmission issues (11 complaints) are the top concerns. No crash-related complaints were filed. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Make
- Mitsubishi
- Model
- Lancer Evolution
- Model year
- 2006
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 34
- Crash-related complaints
- 0
- Safety recall campaigns
- 2
- Top reported component
- Engine Problems
- Reliability signal
- Good Record
- EPA MPG combined
- 19
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 17 / 23
- Fuel type
- Premium Gasoline
- Electronic stability control
- No
Common problems
Most common 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Engine Problems
Transmission / Drivetrain
Suspension Failures
Complaint patterns center on Engine Problems, Transmission / Drivetrain, Suspension Failures. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution?
The 2006 Lancer Evolution is a high-risk purchase due to frequent engine and transmission complaints. Only consider if you have budget for potential repairs and a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
Engine and transmission failures can lead to costly repairs, and the low complaint count limits reliability insights. Recalls indicate known issues that must be addressed.
May Suit
Enthusiasts willing to invest in maintenance and repairs, or those buying a well-documented example with a clean service history.
May Want to Avoid
Buyers seeking a reliable daily driver or those with limited repair budget should avoid this year.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
Inspection Focus
- Inspect engine for signs of failure or poor maintenance.
- Check transmission for smooth shifting and leaks.
- Examine suspension components for wear or damage.
Before You Close the Deal
- Have a mechanic inspect engine and transmission thoroughly.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for engine, transmission, and suspension.
- Test drive to check for drivetrain vibrations or shifting issues.
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution shows a low-confidence pattern of engine and transmission problems, with 13 engine complaints and 11 drivetrain complaints out of 34 total. No crash-related complaints were reported. Buyers should prioritize inspecting these systems and verifying recall completion. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
Year context: Compared to other model years, 2006 has a moderate complaint count but a high proportion of engine and transmission issues.
Recall context: Two recalls indicate known safety or compliance issues; verify all recalls are completed before purchase.
- 13 engine complaints out of 34 total, the most reported component.
- 11 transmission/drivetrain complaints, second highest.
- No crash-related complaints reported.
- Engine Problems (13 complaints)
- Transmission / Drivetrain (11 complaints)
- Suspension Failures (3 complaints)
Full breakdown
All 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 13 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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 SUBF…
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. THE…
MY ACTIVE CENTRAL DIFFERENTIAL PUMP FAILED. ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO ALL OF THE FLUID WAS GONE SO I REFILLED IT. LAST WEEK IT WAS EMPTY AGAIN SO I FILLED IT AND THE FLUID JUST DUMPED OUT ON MY DRIVEWAY. THE CAR ONLY HAS 82000 MILES ON IT.
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 ST…
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. I WAS WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING IT BUT I DECIDED TO TRY AND SEE IF IT WAS STILL DOING IT, SO I TRIED …
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. I DID…
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. *TR
THIS IS A VERY WELL DOCUMENTED AND KNOWN ISSUE AMONGST EVOLUTION GEN 9 OWNERS. 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 NE…
MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION 9 RS MODEL ACD PUMP FAILURE WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS. *TR
MY ACD HYDRAULIC PUMP HAS FAILED. RPM'S SURGE WHEN ACCELERATING AND WHEN AT IDLE, I FEEL LIKE IT IS PUTTING MY ENGINE UNDER EXTREME PRESSURE. FROM MY RESEARCH I HAVE SEEN THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MITSUBISHI LANCE EVOLUTIONS. THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL, AND WHAT THEY A…
COMPLAINT *10261125*-THIS COMPLAINT IS 100% ACCURATE, MITSUBISHI HAS RECALLED MANY OUTLANDER SUVS ON THIS SAME ISSUE, PLEASE INVESTIGATE, HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE, TURN SIGNALS, HIGH BEAM, LOW BEAM, HORN, FOG LIGHTS, ENGINE, EVERYTHING WORKS AT RANDOM AND CANNOT BE STOPPED, MY ENGINE …
MY 2006 MITSUBISHI EVOLUTION 9 STARTED TO MAKE ABNORMAL ENGINE NOISES AUDIBLE WITHIN THE CAB. THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY AND IS MORE THAN WELL KEPT... THE NOISE COMES FROM WITHIN THE TIMING BELT COVER AND SOUNDS MUCH LIKE A WASHING MACHINE. THIS NOISE IS ALSO WELL…
I FIRST NOTICED THAT MY 2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION MR STARTED TO MAKE A GRINDING/SCRAPPING NOISE THAT SEEMED TO BE GENERATING FROM THE TIMING BELT AREA. THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. IT SEEMED TO BE A NOISE THAT WAS PRESENT AT IDLE AND UPON COLD ST…
IN AUGUST I NOTICED A WEIRD NOISE COMING FROM THE TIMING BELT AREA OF MY CAR. THE CAR WAS PERFECTLY FINE AND DRIVEN NORMALLY. I STARTED THE CAR AND THE NOISE APPEARED OUT OF NOWHERE. THE NOISE SOUNDS LIKE A WASHING MACHINE AND IS ONLY PRESENT WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED UP AND IS …
LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE TIMING BELT AREA. SOUNDS LIKE A FAULTY PULLEY OR THE BELT RUBBING ON SOMETHING. TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE TIMING BELT IDLER PULLEY. BEFORE I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP I TOLD THEM I STILL HEAR THE SAME SOUND JUST QUIETER. THEY TOLD ME IF IT…
A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, I NOTICED A SQUEAKING SOUND COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY ENGINE WHEN MY CAR WAS IDLING. AFTER THE CAR WARMED UP (5-10 MIN), THE SOUND WOULD GO AWAY. THE SOUND APPEARED TO BE BELT RELATED SO I CHECKED THE SERPENTINE (ACCESSORY) BELT AND NOTICED SIGNS O…
BAD BEARING NOISE COMING FROM TIMING BELT AREA. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TIMING BELT IDLER PULLEY. I HAVE HAD IT REPLACED BY THE DEALER AND THE EXACT SAME NOISE CAME BACK WITHIN 10K MILES. THIS NOISE APPEARED WITH 31K MILES ON THE CAR. *TR
A STRANGE "RUBBING, GRINDING" NOISE COMING FROM THE TIMING BELT AREA. *TR
CAR NEEDS TO BE SITTING AT AN IDLE SPEED, AND FIRST STARTED BECOMING AUDIBLE A FEW MONTHS AGO, BUT WAS INTERMITTENT. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER AND THEY DID NOT HAVE A FIX AND BLAMED IT ON THE VALVES NEEDING ADJUSTMENT AND MY SERPENTINE BELT. THE VALVES ON THIS PARTICULAR CAR…
I FIRST NOTICED THAT MY 2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION RS STARTED TO MAKE A GRINDING/SCRAPPING NOISE THAT SEEMED TO BE GENERATING FROM THE TIMING BELT AREA WHEN MY CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 35,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. IT SEEMED TO BE A NOISE THAT WAS PRESENT AT IDLE AND UPON COLD…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.
Safety recalls
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution recalls
2 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Two recalls indicate known safety or compliance issues; verify all recalls are completed before purchase. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution reliable?▾
Good Record. NHTSA currently shows 34 owner complaints, 0 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2006 Lancer Evolution is a high-risk purchase due to frequent engine and transmission complaints. Only consider if you have budget for potential repairs and a thorough pre-purchase inspection. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution?▾
#1: Engine Problems (13 complaints). #2: Transmission / Drivetrain (11 complaints). #3: Suspension Failures (3 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, NHTSA complaints include 0 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 34 total complaints. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution have any recalls?▾
Yes. 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. A major recall area is SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM. Two recalls indicate known safety or compliance issues; verify all recalls are completed before purchase. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution?▾
The 2006 Lancer Evolution is a high-risk purchase due to frequent engine and transmission complaints. Only consider if you have budget for potential repairs and a thorough pre-purchase inspection. Engine and transmission failures can lead to costly repairs, and the low complaint count limits reliability insights. Recalls indicate known issues that must be addressed. Pay extra attention to Engine Problems during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpectorAI.
Wider context: See the full Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution based on your ownership experience.
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.