Mitsubishi Lancer problems
0 safety recalls. 24 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
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.
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.
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. 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. 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 aren't always better value.