2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Nov 24, 2025 · 24 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Lancer years
Fewer complaints than other years 10th of 18 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer. That ranks 10th out of 18 Lancer model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (10 complaints, 42%), typically at around 75,000 miles. Complaints mention 3 crashes, 2 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.

Mitsubishi Lancer
Mitsubishi Lancer First Generation two door version in London Further details courtesy of DVLA: Date of first registration: January 1975 Year of manufacture: 19. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Charles01, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Air Bags10 · ~75,000 mi
Electrical System2 · ~55,000 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2 · ~7,750 mi
Structure2 · ~132,000 mi
Suspension2 · ~135,000 mi
Vehicle Speed Control2 · ~71,442 mi
Engine1 · ~100,000 mi
Exterior Lighting1 · ~100,000 mi
Fuel System, Gasoline1 · ~150 mi
Power Train1 · ~114,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Air Bags1042%75,000——
Electrical System28%55,000——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic28%7,750——
Structure28%132,000——
Suspension28%135,000——
Vehicle Speed Control28%71,442——
Engine14%100,000——
Exterior Lighting14%100,000——
Fuel System, Gasoline14%150——
Power Train14%114,000——
Steering14%———
Visibility14%8,500——
Wheels14%59,470——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2015, with 4 complaints
2005: 3200532006: 1200612007: 3200732008: 1200812009: 1200912010: 2201022012: 1201212014: 1201412015: 4201542017: 1201712018: 2201822019: 2201922020: 1202012025: 120251

n = 24 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer recalls (3)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleApr 5, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V220000 · 17,120 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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 bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleSep 14, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V569000 · 66,001 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Suspension:front:control arm:lower armJun 23, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V458000 · 194,674 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA15001) — opened Feb 24, 2015, still open, led to recall 14V668.
  • Air Bag Inflator Rupture (PE14016) — opened Jun 11, 2014, closed Mar 2, 2015, led to recall 13V172000.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

The steering column on my 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer ES detached while driving. The entire column dropped down from its mounting brackets, causing loss of control. This is a serious safety hazard. The mount bolts were intact previously, but they came loose or the bracket failed without warning. This…

Steering · received Nov 24, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11701340

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mitsubishi lancer. The contact stated that the cup from the ball joints, the front end, tie rod, unknown wiring harness and the driver's side headlight failed. The vehicle was taken to an unknown mitsubishi dealer however, was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer…

Engine · received Jul 29, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11341985

The signal lights stop working also the hazards. The horn remains on. A lot of people say that is a problem of the car inside body that take the connector of the junction block and corrode them. A lot of people have this problems. The problem is in motion and stationary.

Electrical System · received May 30, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11216924

I sold this car last july 2018 through a trade-in. Please stop sending me all of these horrifying reminders. It is not appreciated. Please remove my name and address from all mailing lists. I did not get it done when i owned the car as the dealership was quite a drive and i could not drop it off…

Air Bags · received Apr 11, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11195712

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE FRONT UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BELL MITSUBISHI (1500 US-1, RAHWAY, NJ 07065…

Structure · received Nov 26, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11154033

Other Mitsubishi Lancer years

← 2004 Lancer · 2006 Lancer →

See all Mitsubishi Lancer problems by year, every Mitsubishi model, or the Mitsubishi VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer?

Owners most often report air bags, electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 10 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer?

Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Lancer model years, the 2005 has fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.