2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Suspension
What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. 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,…
What could happen: A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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 perform…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2005 LANCER EVOLUTION.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mitsubishi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V458000 (manufacturer code SR-16-003).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-888-648-7820.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
Summary: 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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
2. Engine
What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE TURBO CHARGER COOLANT HOSE WAS INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED, AND MAY ALLOW COOLANT LEAKAGE.
What could happen: IF A LEAK OCCURS, DURING VEHICLE OPERATION WHEN THE MANIFOLD IS HOT, COOLANT MAY IGNITE AND CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2005 LANCER EVOLUTION.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mitsubishi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 05V335000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
Summary: 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.
Notes: MITSUBISHI RECALL NO. SR-05-004. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Suspension (4), Transmission / drivetrain (4), Steering (4), Electrical system (2), Visibility (wipers / glass) (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
11/10/2017 · Electrical system
WATER HAS MADE ITS WAY THROUGH THE GROMMET IN THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WELL, DOWN THE HARNESS, AND RESTS IN THE CONNECTORS BEHIND THE KICK PANEL UNDER THE DASH. WIRES/CONNECTORS HAVE BECOME CORRODED CAUSING SEVERAL PROBLEMS, INCLUDING: LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN OFF, AND NEITHER WILL THE ENGINE AFTER KEYS ARE REMOVED AND EVEN AFTER THE BATTERY IS DISCONNECTED.
01/30/2017 · Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V321000 (AIR BAGS) FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG INFLATOR AND 16V458000 (SUSPENSION) FOR THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TI…
12/31/2016 · Body / structure
FOUND EXCESSIVE RUST CAUSING STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO REAR UNI BODY FRAME SIDE MEMBERS. APPEARS TO HAVE RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT, SIMILAR TO THEIR CURRENT FRONT SUB FRAME RUST RECALL. AT THIS TIME NO ACCIDENTS/ DAMAGE CAUSED BUT LIKELY WILL RESULT IN UNI BODY WEAKENING AND POSSIBLE SUSPENSION/ STRUCTURAL FAILURE
11/28/2016 · Transmission / drivetrain
WHILE DRIVING I HAD ALL 3 ACD LIGHTS COME ON. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATING AND A TRIP TO THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD MY ACD PUMP WAS BAD AND I WOULD NEED A NEW ONE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE CARS THAT STILL HASN'T BEEN FIXED WITH THE NEWER MODELS. I WAS QUOTED 2400 DOLLARS JUST FOR THE PUMP, NOT INCLUDING LABOR, AND THAT DOESN'T GUARANTEE THAT IT WON'T…
11/25/2016 · Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY UNSTABLE AND PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED SEVERE OVERSTEERING WHEN TURNING. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS FAULTY DUE TO CORROSION AND RUSTING OF THE SUBFRAME. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE PER NHTSA CA…
11/22/2016 · Steering
LOWER CONTROL ARM LOOSE / DISCONNECTED FROM SUBFRAME, CAUSING STABILITY AND CONTROL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN UNSAFE OPERATION AT ANY SPEED AND AT ANY TIME WHICH THE VEHICLE IA BEING OPERATED.THE SOCKET ON THE SUBFRAME HAS DEEP RUST AND AN IRREGULAR HOLE VISIBLE. BOB PENKHUS MITSUBISHI REFUSES TO PERFORM THE RECALL WHICH ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE OF…
05/10/2012 · Electrical system
THE SRS AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, THE WIPERS WON'T STOP RUNNING. THE HORN STARTS ON ITSELF. ALL IS RELATED TO WATER ENTERING IN THE INNER FENDER, SHORTING ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS. THIS HAPPENS WHEN IT'S RAINY OUTSIDE. THIS HAPPENS TO EVERY EVOLUTION OWNER THAT I KNOW. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A RISK WITH AIR BAGS NOT WORKING CAUSED BY THAT, BUT THAT HIGHLY…
09/14/2011 · Transmission / drivetrain · crash
TRAVELING ON FREEWAY IN NUMBER 3 LANE, FRONT DRIVE TRAIN LOCKED UP. CAR SKIDDED FOR APPROX 60 FEET AND THAN VEERED TO THE LEFT AND WAS STRUCK IN THE NUMBER 1 LANE. *KB