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Mitsubishi Lancer EvolutionModel year report

2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Problems

Complaints
24filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
35,500miles, 20 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
19 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl 4WD/AWD · 17 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 10 complaints (42% of the total), followed by brakes (3) and engine (3). 20 of the complaints include a mileage, and 70% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 35,500 miles. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 30 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 6 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 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.

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “In august I noticed a weird noise coming from the timing belt area of my car. The car was perfectly fine and driven normally. I started the car and the noise appeared out of nowhere. The noise sounds like a washing machine and is only present when the car is started up and is cold. After approximately 15 minutes of driving, the noise disappears. I am worried that there is something terribly wrong in that area. I do not want my engine to break.”

NHTSA complaint #10299578, filed 2010-01, 21,000 miles

Brakes: “I was heading to a class when I noticed my clutch pedal went almost all the way to the floor. The clutch was still disengaging/engaging when I shifted so I made it to my destination. I was worried about driving it but I decided to try and see if it was still doing it, so I tried to back out of a spot but it would no longer go into gear and the clutch pedal was all the way to the floor. Turned out my brake master cylinder was faulty and I learned through online forums and friends that it was a common issue with the Lancer Evolution. …”

NHTSA complaint #10870878, filed 2016-05, 138,000 miles

Engine: “My acd hydraulic pump has failed. Rpm's surge when accelerating and when at idle, I feel like it is putting my engine under extreme pressure. From my research I have seen this is a very common problem with the Mitsubishi lance evolutions. There has been no recall, and what they are charging to get a new one which you can only get from the dealership is ridiculously expensive. Something needs to be done about this!”

NHTSA complaint #10563132, filed 2014-02, 116,500 miles

Suspension: “Spring seat broke at weld joint to shock tube. Spring translated in the z direction until it was in direct contact with the tire. Upon breakage vehicle had extensive spring rubbing against tire.”

NHTSA complaint #10626474, filed 2014-08, 72,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

70% of the 20 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 21,000 and 60,000 miles.

5%0–1030%10–2535%25–5020%50–750%75–10010%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (20 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 35,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

2009102010201420162018
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 2006 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 manual172319$4,350
Lancer Evolution 4WD/AWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed manual162218$4,550

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 2006 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. 30 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 30 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 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution have?

NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 10 complaints (42% of the total), followed by brakes with 3.

Has the 2006 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 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (Lancer Evolution, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 17 city and 23 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 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution reported?

Among the 20 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 35,500 miles and the middle half falls between 21,000 and 60,000 miles; 70% 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.