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ProblemsByVinFile / 2005-MITSUBISHI-LANCER-EVOLUTIONNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Mitsubishi
2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 16 owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has 16 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 4 complaints, typically surfacing around 39,107 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution owner complaints by model year
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2005 Lancer Evolution?
Generally reliable
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average
2 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
powertrain — 4 owner reports
· tends to show around 39,107 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
steering — 4 owner reports
· tends to show around 187,000 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 39,107 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 8.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
powertrain (~$2,500) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
Ask anything about your 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2005 Lancer Evolution· body
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…
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…
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…
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…
Had a problem with your 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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.
On certain passenger vehicles, the turbo charger coolant hose was incorrectly manufactured, and may allow coolant leakage
If a leak occurs, during vehicle operation when the manifold is hot, coolant may ignite and cause a vehicle fire.
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.
Common questions
Is the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution?
On the NHTSA data, the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 4 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 39,107 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 16 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 39,107 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 4 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 39,107 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 39,107 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 16 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Mitsubishi/Lancer Evolution.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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