This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution engine problems
moderate 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 12 engine complaints filed for the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Engine accounts for 35% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 4 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 15 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service campaign bulletin provides instructions to reprogram the PCM with new software and, if necessary, replace the catalytic convertor. The new software will minimize continuous over-redline (abusive) operation by inducing the driver to up-shift or reduce throttle input.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗A service campaign will be released to update the PCM programming for the 2006 Lancer Evolution with the latest software, and if necessary, replace the catalytic convertor. This service campaign will be conducted in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The service campaign bulletin outlining the repair procedure will be available today on MEDIC and MDL.The new software will minimize continuous over-redline (abusive) operation by inducing the driver to up-shift or reduce throttle input.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗MITSUBISHI: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. INFORMATION PROVIDED REGARDING REPROGRAMMING PCM AND REPLACING CATALYTIC CONVERTOR, IF NECESSARY, TO MINIMIZE OVER-REDLINE OPERATION OR REDUCE THROTTLE INPUT. MODELS 2006 LANCER EVOLUTION.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Twelve owners of 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution vehicles report a metal scraping, grinding, or washing-machine-like noise originating from the timing belt area, typically beginning between 18,000 and 35,000 miles. The noise is loudest at idle and cold startup, sometimes persisting when the engine is fully warmed up. Owners have traced the problem to the timing belt or timing wheel (crankshaft blade/sensor blade) contacting the timing belt itself—a condition they describe as well-documented across online forums and owner communities.
Dealership repair attempts have been inconsistent and largely unsuccessful. Shops have replaced the timing belt, crankshaft blade, timing belt tensioner, idler pulley, and tensioner pulleys with varying results. One owner reports an idler pulley replacement that failed to hold; the identical bearing noise returned within 10,000 miles. Another was charged $140 for engine degreaser on accessory belts—a misdiagnosis that left the problem unchanged. Multiple dealers acknowledge the issue is common but claim no permanent fix exists.
Owners and at least one dealer reference an incorrectly designed OEM timing belt bracket tensioner as the root cause, and report that a corrected replacement bracket exists but is not being issued as a recall or service bulletin. One owner also reports an ACD (Active Center Differential) hydraulic pump failure, a documented Gen 9 issue with expensive dealership-only replacement parts and no recall.
Failure modes owners describe
Timing belt rubbing against crankshaft blade / sensor blade
The timing belt or timing wheel (crankshaft blade/sensor blade) contacts the timing belt, causing a metal scraping, grinding, or washing-machine-like noise audible at the timing belt cover. Owners report this is a documented and recurring issue among 2006 Lancer Evolution owners, likely caused by incorrect OEM timing belt bracket tensioner design. The rubbing generates friction and heat that can lead to timing belt degradation and premature failure.
When: Begins between 18,000 and 35,000 miles; audible primarily at idle and cold start, sometimes persisting when fully warmed up
Symptoms owners cite: Metal scraping noise from drive belt/timing belt area; Grinding or scraping noise audible within timing belt cover; Noise sounds like a washing machine; Noise present at idle; Noise present at cold startup; Occasional noise when fully warmed up; Noise audible from passenger side of engine
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships have replaced timing belt, crankshaft blade (timing wheel), timing belt tensioner, timing belt idler pulley, and tensioner pulleys with inconsistent results. One owner had idler pulley replaced but noise returned within 10,000 miles. Owner reports exist of a replacement bracket that corrects the issue. One dealership charged $140 for engine degreaser and accessory belt cleaning, which did not resolve the problem.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships acknowledge the issue is common but decline to issue warranty repairs or service bulletins. One dealership stated there is no fix and the issue is quite common. Another dealership blamed serpentine belt and valve adjustment, but neither resolved the noise. Glendale Mitsubishi acknowledged it is a common problem but declined to address it. Owners call for a recall.
Timing belt idler pulley bearing failure
The timing belt idler pulley develops bearing noise, presenting as a loud grinding or bearing-related sound from the timing belt area. At least one owner had the pulley replaced by a dealer, but the identical noise returned within 10,000 miles, suggesting either a recurring defect or an underlying issue with the bracket/tensioner system.
When: Appeared at 31,000 miles; returned 10,000 miles after dealer replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Bad bearing noise coming from timing belt area; Loud noise from timing belt area described as a faulty pulley or belt rubbing; Noise continued at a lower volume after dealer replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Timing belt idler pulley replaced by dealer; identical noise returned within 10,000 miles.
ACD (Active Center Differential) hydraulic pump failure
The ACD hydraulic pump fails, causing RPM surges during acceleration and at idle, placing perceived extreme pressure on the engine. Owners report this is a well-documented problem among Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Gen 9 owners with no recall issued. Replacement parts are dealership-exclusive and expensive.
When: Not specified in narrative
Symptoms owners cite: RPM surges when accelerating; RPM surges at idle; Engine feels like it is under extreme pressure
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement ACD hydraulic pump available only from dealership at high cost.
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
My 2006 Mitsubishi evolution 9 started to make abnormal engine noises audible within the cab. The car has been serviced regularly and is more than well kept... The noise comes from within the timing belt cover and sounds much like a washing machine. This noise is also well documented among evo 9 owners. Here is a link to the thread.…
Bad bearing noise coming from timing belt area. This is a problem with the timing belt idler pulley. I have had it replaced by the dealer and the exact same noise came back within 10k miles. This noise appeared with 31k miles on the car. *tr
A strange "rubbing, grinding" noise coming from the timing belt area. *tr
Car needs to be sitting at an idle speed, and first started becoming audible a few months ago, but was intermittent. I took the car into the dealer and they did not have a fix and blamed it on the valves needing adjustment and my serpentine belt. The valves on this particular car are hydraulic and do not need servicing and when I removed my own serpentine belt, the noise was still audible! It is…
I first noticed that my 2006 Mitsubishi lancer evolution rs started to make a grinding/scrapping noise that seemed to be generating from the timing belt area when my car had approximately 35,000 miles on the odometer. It seemed to be a noise that was present at idle and upon cold start ups and now occasionally I hear it even when the car is fully warmed up. I started to research this on various…
I 1st started hearing a metal scraping noise coming from the drive belt area around 20,000 miles on the odometer of my 2006 Mitsubishi lancer evolution ix mr. After researching this online, I found this to be a common/frequent problem reported by many other owners of the same car throughout the web. In fact, I even found a youtube clip of the exact same noise created for the exact same issue.…
I first noticed that my 2006 Mitsubishi lancer evolution rs started to make a grinding/scrapping noise that seemed to be generating from the timing belt area. The car had approximately 18,000 miles on the odometer. It seemed to be a noise that was present at idle and upon cold start ups. I started to research this on various forums and internet, only to find that it was a common problem with a…
Had engine trouble with your 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 20,000 and 44,000 miles, with the median around 31,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 20,000; a quarter make it past 44,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Mitsubishi/Lancer Evolution.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.