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Mitsubishi LancerModel year report

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Problems

Complaints
24filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
70,000miles, 19 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns 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
23 mpgcombined, 2.4L 4-cyl FWD · 20 city / 27 hwy

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

NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer. The part named most often is air bags, with 10 complaints (42% of the total), followed by brakes (2) and electrical system (2). 19 of the complaints include a mileage, and 37% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 70,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 81 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 36 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 5 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: Transmission and drivetrain (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “I received a safety recall notice by mail from Mitsubishi motors sales of caribbean on june, I call to a dealership they told me that I have to wait my turn and to wait the inflator to be available, we are in august and still no notice, I call them today and they told me I have to wait my turn, I called to another dealership and they told me they are taking only one car daily and the list is longer. They are extremely slow, other manufacturers are more proactive, but this is taking to long to resolve the defect.”

NHTSA complaint #10747461, filed 2015-08, 151,042 miles

Brakes: “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 brakes metal to metal loss of brake response time very loud grinding noises upon application of braking systems service refused by dealer all within 10 months of vehicle purchase brand new.”

NHTSA complaint #10142621, filed 2005-11, 7,000 miles

Electrical system: “The signal lights stop working also the hazards. The horn remains on. A lot of people say that is a problem of the car inside body that take the connector of the junction block and corrode them. A lot of people have this problems. The problem is in motion and stationary.”

NHTSA complaint #11216924, filed 2019-05, 90,000 miles

Body and structure: “The contact owns a 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the floor mat was removed on the driver side and it was discovered that the floor board had excessive rust and fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10762438, filed 2015-09, 94,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

37% of the 19 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 11,000 and 100,000 miles.

21%0–1016%10–250%25–5016%50–7516%75–10021%100–15011%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (19 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 70,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

’06’08’10’144’17’19’25
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.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Lancer · sedan not rated4 / 4———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer 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 FWD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual243126$2,600
Lancer FWD2.0L 4-cyl4-speed automatic222824$2,800
Lancer FWD2.4L 4-cyl5-speed manual202723$2,900
Lancer FWD2.4L 4-cyl4-speed automatic202622$3,050
Lancer Sportback FWD2.4L 4-cyl4-speed automatic202622$3,050

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 → · 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. 81 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 81 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mitsubishi Lancer

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20176—0430—Not enough data
20163063,50024280 · FewerFalling
20152321,0001428—Stable
20141675,0000427—Stable
2013583,0000428—Not enough data
20121955,0001428—Falling
20113450,6063—2720 · FewerFalling
20105170,0006—2550 · TypicalFalling
20099875,0008—2486 · MoreFalling
20089133,0005—2487 · MoreFalling
200637100,0004—23Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20052470,0003—23—Stable
20048060,0004—24Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200319949,0002—26Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200214868,0002—25Not compared (before 2008)Falling

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

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer have?

NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

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

Air bags is named most often, in 10 complaints (42% of the total), followed by brakes with 2.

Has the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 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 get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer (Lancer, 2.4L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 20 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

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

Among the 19 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 70,000 miles and the middle half falls between 11,000 and 100,000 miles; 37% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.