Mitsubishi Lancer problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 24 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.4/10 — above the segment average
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.
Top trouble spots 1 category with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
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,…
The SRS light came on in my lancer. I have been told by the mechanic the part will take over a month to arrive as a result of a recall. I have been told that the air bag no longer works. *tr
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…
Brake failure at 7032 mi brakes completely metal to metal loss of most braking functions very poor response time,brake pads replaced,brake failure again at 13560 brakes again metal to metal very poor response time,brake pads replaced again,brake failure again at 18500 again…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA15001 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.4 out of 10 based on 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer 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?
On the NHTSA data, the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer 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 8.4/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 10 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 80,288 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 80,288 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Mitsubishi Lancer 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?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 24 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, 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.