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2005 Mitsubishi LANCER EVOLUTION: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

14 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

65,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 14 complaints (21.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior321.4%
Steering behavior214.3%
Electrical and battery issues17.1%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Suspension
3
Air Bags
2
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
2
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
2
Unknown Or Other
2
Electrical System
1
Engine And Engine Cooling
1
Power Train
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Suspension3
Air Bags2
Power Train:Clutch Assembly2
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System2
Unknown Or Other2
Electrical System1
Engine And Engine Cooling1
Power Train1

Suspension: 3; Air Bags: 2; Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 2; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Power Train: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
3
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
2
75,000 to 99,999
1
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
2
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0003
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9992
75,000 to 99,9991
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above2

Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 2

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2005
2
2006
4
2007
1
2008
1
2012
1
2016
4
2017
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20052
20064
20071
20081
20121
20164
20171

2005: 2; 2006: 4; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2012: 1; 2016: 4; 2017: 1

Pattern summary

Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10137410 · 2005-09-23 (September 23, 2005)

I OWN A 2005 MITSUBISHI EVOLUTION LANCER THAT HAS 9,661 MILES ON IT AND THE CLUTCH IS ALREADY NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. MITSUBISHI ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM THAT DATES BACK TO THE 2003 LANCER, BUT YET THEY STILL REFUSE TO CONFRONT THE ISSUE AND TAKE CARE OF IT. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 9,661 miles reported. Look up ODI 10137410 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10146262 · 2005-12-28 (December 28, 2005)

I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION, AND TWO MONTHS LATER @ 1847 MILES, THE CLUTCH WENT OUT. MITSUBISHI REFUSED TO WARRANTY REPAIR THE FAILURE, SO I STARTED INVESTIGATING THEIR CLUTCHES. IT TURNS OUT SIX LOCAL REPAIR SHOPS AS WELL AS 4 MITSUBISHI TECHNICIANS ADVISED ME THE CLUTCHES ARE WEAK/DEFECTIVE FROM THE FACTORY, AND MITSUBISHI IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM ON MY MODEL, BUT REFUSES TO RECALL THEM OR REPAIR THEM. I ALSO WENT ON-LINE AND FOUND SEVERAL WEB-SITE COMPLAINTS ABOUT EVOLUTION CLUTCHES, INCLUDING "WWW.MITSUBISHISUCKS…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,847 miles reported. Look up ODI 10146262 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10148355 · 2006-01-23 (January 23, 2006)

PRIOR TO THE AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT ON DECEMBER 27, 2005 THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. WAS PURCHASED IN JULY OF 2005 (DEMO CAR-USED). THE ACCIDENT HAPPEN AS FOLLOWS, IT WAS COLD THAT NIGHT I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN GOING WEST INTO THE MIDDLE LANE. UNFORTUNATELY MY CAR DID NOT GO STRAIGHT BUT CONTINUE TO TURN. I CROSSED OVER FAR RIGHT LANE, THEN THE SIDE WALK INTO AN UTILITY POLL. COULD NOT CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL OF THE CAR. THE WHEEL LOCKED, COULD NOT TURN THE CAR AT ALL. THE CAR CRASHED INTO AN UTILITY POLL IMPLODING BOTH AIR BAGS. …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10148355 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10148361 · 2006-01-23 (January 23, 2006)

PRIOR TO THE AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT ON DECEMBER 27,2005 THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE TO MY KNOWLEDGE. IT WAS PURCHASED IN JULY 2005 , DEMO-USED CAR. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED AS FOLLOWS: IT WAS VERY COLD THAT EVENING, I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN GOING WEST INTO THE MIDDLE LANE, UNFORTUNATELY MY CAR DID NOT GO STRAIGHT, BUT CONTINUE TO TURN. I CROSSED OVER TO THE FAR RIGHT LANE, THEN THE SIDE WALK INTO AN UTILITY POLL. COULD NOT CONTROL THE WHEEL OF THE CAR, THE WHEEL LOCKED, COULD NOT TURN THE CAR. THE CAR CRASHED INTO AN UTILITY POLL, IM…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10148361 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10149328 · 2006-02-02 (February 2, 2006)

FRONT BEARINGS ARE LOOSE CAUSING ERRATIC STEERING, PREMATURE TIRE WEAR AND PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 10149328 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10149785 · 2006-02-01 (February 1, 2006)

CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING THE NEED FOR MUD FLAPS ON 2005 MITSUBISHI EVOLUTION VIII LANCER. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED WITHOUT THE MUD FLAPS, THE TIRES STICK OUT 1.5 INCHES PAST WHEEL WELLS. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN A RIGHT TURN WAS MADE, OR A SPEED BUMP WAS HIT, A STRANGE NOISE WOULD EMIT FROM THE VEHICLE AND THEN A POP SOUND COULD BE HEARD. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER GRAVEL WAS STUCK INTO HE CALIPERS, SHOCK TOWERS, BRAKES AND SPRINGS AND IT WOULD WORK ITSELF OUT. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THE CONSUMER TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A CAR WASH, BUT T…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10149785 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10178574 · 2007-01-12 (January 12, 2007)

TURNED WARPED BRAKE ROTOR. PROBLEM CAME BACK, UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO POOR HANDLING WHEN BRAKING. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10178574 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10231547 · 2008-06-19 (June 19, 2008)

MY CAR WAS PURCHASED ON 11/23/05. ONE WEEK AFTER PURCHASE, SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT MY OIL WAS REALLY LOW AND ADDED A QUART OF OIL. HE ADVISED ME TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL REGULARLY. I NOTICED THAT I HAD TO ADD A QUART OF OIL EVERY 1,000 MILES OR SO. I VOICED MY CONCERN TO THE SERVICE MANAGER WHEN I HAD MY FIRST OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD THAT "A QUART OF OIL LOSS PER 1,000 MILES IS NORMAL". I CHECKED MY OIL REGULARLY TO AVOID ANY PROBLEMS UNTIL ONE DAY, I FOUND OUT ABOUT OIL CONSUMPTION TESTS. I TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT IT AND HE ARRAN…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10231547 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

05V335000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings

Reported: 2005-07-27 (July 27, 2005)

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE TURBO CHARGER COOLANT HOSE WAS INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED, AND MAY ALLOW COOLANT LEAKAGE.

Consequence: IF A LEAK OCCURS, DURING VEHICLE OPERATION WHEN THE MANIFOLD IS HOT, COOLANT MAY IGNITE AND CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TURBO CHARGER COOLANT HOSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 888-648-7820.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
16V458000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm

Reported: 2016-06-23 (June 23, 2016)

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.

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 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗