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Mitsubishi Lancer EvolutionModel year report

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Problems

Complaints
14filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
65,000miles, 8 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
19 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl 4WD/AWD · 17 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. The part named most often is steering, with 4 complaints (29% of the total), followed by suspension (4) and transmission and drivetrain (3). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 38% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 65,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 41 technical service bulletins for this model year. Steering complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Suspension complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the lower arm and 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Steering: “Prior to the automobile accident on december 27, 2005 there was no problems with the vehicle. Was purchased in july of 2005 (demo car-used). The accident happen as follows, it was cold that night I was making a right turn going west into the middle lane. Unfortunately my car did not go straight but continue to turn. I crossed over far right lane, then the side walk into an utility poll. Could not control the steering wheel of the car. The wheel locked, could not turn the car at all. The car crashed into an utility poll imploding both air bags. …”

NHTSA complaint #10148355, filed 2006-01

Suspension: “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 corrosion and rusting of the subframe. The dealer repaired the vehicle per NHTSA campaign number: 16v458000 (suspension) in which an anti-corrosion agent was applied, but the failures continued. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 187,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10927874, filed 2016-11, 187,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “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 just for the pump, not including labor, and that doesn't guarantee that it won't happen again.”

NHTSA complaint #10928414, filed 2016-11, 60,000 miles

Air bags: “The srs airbag light came on, the wipers won't stop running. The horn starts on itself. All is related to water entering in the inner fender, shorting electrical connections. This happens when it's rainy outside. This happens to every evolution owner that I know. I don't know if there is a risk with air bags not working caused by that, but that highly concerns me. If there is an accident, I would want to be sure that the airbags will deploy... Thanks for your assistance.”

NHTSA complaint #10457996, filed 2012-05, 70,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

38% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 9,661 and 95,000 miles.

38%0–100%10–250%25–5025%50–7513%75–1000%100–15025%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (8 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 65,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

200520064200720082012201642017
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Lancer Evolution 4WD/AWD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual172419$4,350
Lancer Evolution 4WD/AWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed manual172319$4,350

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 41 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 41 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2014643,0002—19—Not enough data
20111135,7503—19—Not enough data
20102839,5005—19Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Stable
20083645,0004—19Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Stable
20062435,5002—19—Stable
20051465,0002—19—Not enough data
20039812,0982—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution have?

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is reported most often?

Steering is named most often, in 4 complaints (29% of the total), followed by suspension with 4.

Has the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (Lancer Evolution, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 17 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution reported?

Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 65,000 miles and the middle half falls between 9,661 and 95,000 miles; 38% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.