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ProblemsByVinFile / 2005-MITSUBISHI-LANCERNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Mitsubishi
2005 Mitsubishi Lancer problems
The 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer has 2 critical safety recalls on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 24 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
The 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer has 24 NHTSA owner complaints and 6 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 10 complaints, typically surfacing around 80,288 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
2
Critical
4
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2005 Lancer?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 6.4/10 — around the segment average
6 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? 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
airbags — 10 owner reports
· tends to show around 80,288 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 80,288 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 6 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
airbags (~$1,100) — 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.
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· suspension
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…
Had a problem with your 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer?
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.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will install a final replacement passenger side frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on April 26, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-005.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with a different inflator, free of charge. The recall began on October 12, 2017. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-17-001. Note: This recall supersedes recall 15V-321.
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.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.4 out of 10 based on 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer?
The 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 6.4/10 — around the segment average; 6 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?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 10 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 80,288 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 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 a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 24 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 80,288 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?
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.
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.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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