2006 Mitsubishi Raider Problems

What owners report

Owners of this 2006 Mitsubishi Raider most often describe airbag recall repairs that could not be completed because replacement parts were unavailable, often with no estimated date. Other common complaints involve transmissions that shift out of gear or will not shift, electrical failures that cut out gauges or lights, and brakes that lock, drag, or fail to hold. Mileage is often not stated in these complaints, and where it is given the sample ranges from under 100 miles to about 157,000 miles.

1. 1
   Air bags

   Recall repair parts not yet available

   • 25 complaints (45%)
   • median 96,055 mi at 10.2 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2010–2018

   Owners describe receiving a Takata airbag recall notice, most often for an inflator module, but say the replacement part was unavailable when they tried to book the repair. Several say the dealer or the manufacturer gave no estimated date for when parts would arrive, and some say they have been checking back for a long time. Many of these owners say they had not experienced an airbag failure, and a few report an airbag warning light coming on; a few also mention an ignition interlock switch recall with parts unavailable. Where mileage is given, these complaints fall between about 40,000 and 157,000 miles, and the sample shows no clear mileage pattern.

   Recall 16V352000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 15V313000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 14V7950002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask the dealer to check the VIN against recalls 16V352000 and 15V313000 and whether replacement inflators are now in stock. Have any airbag warning light diagnosed before buying, since some owners report it comes on.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “These parts were on recall, I set up my appointment with the dealership. Called to verify appointment and was told it was cancelled, the recalled air bag parts are also on recall. This is unacceptable, I have children and grandchildren that ride in my truck. Mitsubishi said the date the new air bags will be available are not available at this time. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10745631, filed 2015-08, 120,000 miles

   “Dealer ( miami lakes auto-mall in zip code 33014) never has parts available, I have been calling for over a year to set up an appointment to no avail. Should anything happen to me or any other person or any property destruction is incurred due to the lack of urgency set forth by the aforementioned dealer or Mitsubishi in fixing these recalls, me and my family will hold all within the dealer and Mitsubishi accountable/responsible.”

   NHTSA complaint #11079839, filed 2018-03, 80,000 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Recall repair access, scheduling, or records

   • 6 complaints (11%)
   • typically at 12.0 yrs old
   • filed 2015–2023

   Owners describe difficulty getting recall work done. Some say there is no dealer in their state or the nearest one is far away, and a complaint says a dealer would not provide a loaner for a multi-hour repair, while a headlight and turn signal recall letter came with no repair date. Other owners say the repair was done but NHTSA records still show the recall as incomplete, and a complaint describes a car out of use for over a year while the recall work was not carried out. Mileage is mostly not stated in these complaints, and where it is given it is about 5,000 miles.

   Recall 16V352000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 15V313000 · DO NOT DRIVE

   What to check: Ask the dealer to confirm in writing that the recall repair for this VIN is scheduled, and whether a loaner or ride is provided for the appointment. Ask the dealer to check the NHTSA recall record for the VIN, since some owners say completed repairs still show as incomplete.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Hi- We have been trying to get our Mitsubishi Raider 2006 recall for an exploding sharp metal pieces that can cause death fixed with zero help. We have been without a car for over one year due to being ignored by Mitsubishi Corporate and our closest Mitsubishi Cutter Dealership. We live on an island in Hawaii that does not have a dealership so car must be shipped to Oahu to be repaired. Talked to manager at Cutter Mitsubishi many times and she said it’s Mitsubishis problem to figure out. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11529843, filed 2023-06

   “Takata recall -serra Mitsubishi, birmingham al.- I received a recall notice for my air bags. It tells me in the letter that a loaner/rental vehicle will be provided. I call for an appointment, dealer will not provide a vehicle for the 3 hr repair. I only needed a ride back to work while waiting on repair. Not like I wanted a vehicle to ride around in. I called the Mitsubishi hot line and was told it will be provided. If the service manager will call the regional manager it will be straightened out. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10991644, filed 2017-05
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shifts out of gear or will not shift

   • 11 complaints (20%)
   • median 68,000 mi at 5.9 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2006–2025

   Owners describe the gear selector moving to neutral while driving, the transmission sticking in third gear while the engine revs, and the truck refusing to go into drive, park, or reverse. Some describe the truck rolling or coasting after it dropped out of gear, and a dealer said a gearbox fault was a known common problem. Complaints about failing to shift into reverse also describe sudden acceleration, including a case where the truck nearly ran into a house before the driver braked. Where mileage is given, these complaints range from about 2,500 to 147,000 miles, and several happen when the truck first starts to move.

   What to check: On a test drive, shift through park, reverse, neutral, and drive from a stop and check that each position holds. Ask the dealer for any transmission fault codes and gearbox or sensor repair records before agreeing to purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Powertrain: automatic transmission while driving on a speed of about 65-75 MPH on the freeway/interstate and all of a sudden I have to slow down by stepping on the brake and then releasing the brake to continue moving again after the speed goes down to about 35-45 MPH, the check engine light comes on and you can hear the engine revving like it is stuck on third gear instead of shifting to fourth gear. I have been to an authorized napa auto repair shop and the code they found out was a sensor problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10308570, filed 2010-02, 46,000 miles

   “While driving my 2006 Mitsubishi Raider, I was leaving a customer’s home with a load on my truck. The first issue I encountered was that the truck struggled to exit the driveway. Then, I realized I couldn't shift into reverse. Shortly after, it seemed like the gas line or speed mechanism malfunctioned. Suddenly, the truck accelerated uncontrollably, going full speed straight into a house.luckily I braked in time no accident no report just towed truck tó customers house with aaa after the incident”

   NHTSA complaint #11633998, filed 2025-01
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Dash, lights, or engine cutting out and no-starts

   • 11 complaints (20%)
   • median 14,000 mi at 5.6 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2006–2025

   Owners describe the dash lights, gauges, and radio cutting out, sometimes happening daily, weekly, or monthly. Some report the engine stopping suddenly on the freeway or in a turn, a key that will not move, or a truck that will not start; a dealer found a missing fuse after a tow, and a mechanic found low voltage to the transmission. Another complaint describes turn signals, hazard lights, and wipers that failed intermittently without warning. Where mileage is given, these complaints range from about 95 to 125,000 miles, and several describe the faults as intermittent.

   Recall 06V039000Recall 14V795000

   What to check: On a test drive, check the turn signals, hazard lights, wipers, gauges, and radio, and restart the engine after a short stop. Ask whether recalls 06V039000 and 14V795000 apply to the truck and have been completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2006 Mitsubishi Raider that has electrical issues, sometimes the dash lights go out, all the gauges quit working, including speedometer and the radio cuts off.....sometimes daily, weekly, monthly. Even after taking to dealer numerous times. Rear brakes have been locking up and 'dragging' upon stopping sometimes, hasn't done it lately, I think the part may have finally broke. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10308139, filed 2010-02, 5,000 miles

   “I had just purchased this vehicle cash on friday, july 7, 2006. It had 27 miles when purchased. On friday, july 14, 2006, I was driving on a 2 lane road on military base in san antonio when the vehicle shut off as I was making a right turn. The vehicle would not start. Everything else worked in the vehicle except start. I am currently stationed at the above post for 3 months while in training and purchased this vehicle at a local car dealer. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10162523, filed 2006-07, 95 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brakes lock, drag, or fail to hold

   • 8 complaints (15%)
   • median 53,400 mi at 3.4 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2006–2015

   Owners describe rear brakes that lock up or drag when stopping, front wheels that lock during hard braking, and brakes that do not hold the truck as expected. Some complaints describe a rapid pulsing when braking at slow speed and repeated brake work from the dealer that did not resolve it. Other complaints describe brakes failing at speed, including a case with cruise control engaging and the pedal going to the floor, and a crash in which the airbags did not deploy. Where mileage is given, these complaints range from about 5,000 to 115,000 miles, and several describe the problem during routine braking, including at slow speed.

   Recall 06V038000

   What to check: Ask the dealer whether recall 06V038000 applies to the VIN and has been completed. On a test drive, brake gently at low and moderate speeds and watch for pulsing, dragging, or front wheel lock-up.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “For the last 2 years this vehicle has had rust issues, the whole thing is rusting through. Underneath, bumper, tow hooks, the parts underneath the truck. I was blown off by mitshubishi when I complained. They told me this was my issue to due I lived in maine. Seriously, this truck was taken care of and I have been the only owner, and it's a 2006 and I bought it brand new march of 2007 make it 5 years old! …”

   NHTSA complaint #10519448, filed 2013-06, 115,000 miles

   “Every time I apply the brakes it makes a rapidly pulsating sensation like the ABS is engaging, even when I'm going at a slow speed or when I'm not making a rapid stop, have taken it in to huntington beach Mitsubishi 2/23/09 - they ordered rear brake shoes, 03/05/09 - replaced rear brake shoes and machined front rotors per TSB, 06/30/09 - advise turn drums, 10/20/09 - order front rotors (for which they made me pay, applied stop squeak, 10/22/09 - brake job front end, replaced pads and applied stop squeak (I paid for pads and stop squeak) …”

   NHTSA complaint #10331503, filed 2010-05, 48,485 miles

Buying note. A buyer should ask the dealer for the status of each recall on the VIN, including the airbag and ignition recalls, and whether parts are in stock before agreeing to purchase. Shifting, electrical, and brake complaints in this sample are worth checking on a test drive and asking for repair records.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 54 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.