2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 42%of 24 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 26,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, 42% of the 24 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 26,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“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 forums and internet, only to find that it was a common problem with a clear solution. …”
NHTSA complaint #10291401, filed 2009-11, 35,000 miles“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 definitely coming from the timing belt area and sounds like it is almost hitting or scraping something! …”
NHTSA complaint #10291462, filed 2009-11, 60,480 miles“Loud noise coming from the timing belt area. Sounds like a faulty pulley or the belt rubbing on something. Took it into the dealer and they replaced the timing belt idler pulley. Before I left the dealership I told them I still hear the same sound just quieter. They told me if it gets louder to come back. That was about a month ago and it has gotten louder since. My concern is catastrophic engine failure. Nobody has been able to properly diagnose the issue. This could cause a serious accident if severe engine failure occurred at speed.”
NHTSA complaint #10299566, filed 2010-01, 2,500 miles“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 clear solution. There have been a few dealerships who have seemed to have resolved this issue but each fix seemed to vary within the timing belt area. …”
NHTSA complaint #10291287, filed 2009-11, 18,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10170074Aug 28, 2015This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170071Jul 22, 2015This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10173219Apr 30, 2013A 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…
- 10173218Apr 30, 2013This service campaign bulletin provides instructions to reprogram the PCM with new software and, if necessary, replace the catalytic convertor. The new software will minimize…
- 10052176Apr 1, 2013Mitsubishi: see document search button for owner letter. Information provided regarding reprogramming pcm and replacing catalytic convertor, if necessary, to minimize…
- 10170086Nov 1, 2012This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
Engine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
3 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology