2005 Mitsubishi Lancer recalls and problems

The 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer has 3 safety recalls and 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Mitsubishi dealer.

Recalls
3
Complaints
24
Crashes / fires
3 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer recalls

Recall 18V-220: Air Bags

Reported Apr 5, 2018 · 17,120 vehicles affected · Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Problem: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles that previously received a like-for-like passenger side frontal air bag inflator under recall 15V321 as interim remedy. Also recalled are 2004-2006 Lancer vehicles located in Guam or Saipan that previously received or never received a new inflator under 15V321 or 17V569. These passenger side frontal air bag inflators may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to explode in the event of an air bag deployment.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will install a final replacement passenger side frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on April 26, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-005.

Recall 17V-569: Air Bags

Reported Sep 14, 2017 · 66,001 vehicles affected · Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Problem: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Lancer and Lancer Evolution vehicles and 2004 Lancer Sportback vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with a different inflator, free of charge. The recall began on October 12, 2017. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-17-001. Note: This recall supersedes recall 15V-321.

Recall 16V-458: Suspension

Reported Jun 23, 2016 · 194,674 vehicles affected · Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Problem: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2002-2007 Lancer, 2004 Lancer Wagon, 2003-2006 Lancer Evolution, 2003-2006 Outlander and 2007-2013 Outlander V-6 vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.

Risk: A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied or the front cross member will be replaced with a new one that has a sealing/anti-corrosion agent applied to it. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-003.

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Air Bags10
Electrical System2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
Vehicle Speed Control2
Structure2
Suspension2
Visibility1
Wheels1
Power Train1
Fuel System, Gasoline1
Engine1
Exterior Lighting1

Most reported parts

  • Electrical System › Ignition — 1
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads — 1
  • Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear — 1
  • Air Bags › Frontal — 1
  • Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal — 1
  • Power Train › Manual Transmission — 1
  • Structure › Body — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 70,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Steering · reported Nov 24, 2025
The steering column on my 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer ES detached while driving. The entire column dropped down from its mounting brackets, causing loss of control. This is a serious safety hazard. The mount bolts were intact previously, but they came loose or the bracket failed without warning. This could have resulted in a crash and severe injury. I believe this may be a structural or manufacturing defect and could affect other Lancer vehicles of similar year. I performed a temporary repair myself so the vehicle could be moved safely, but this does NOT solve the underlying problem. The original…
Engine · at 100,000 miles · reported Jul 29, 2020
The contact owns a 2005 mitsubishi lancer. The contact stated that the cup from the ball joints, the front end, tie rod, unknown wiring harness and the driver's side headlight failed. The vehicle was taken to an unknown mitsubishi dealer however, was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under the warranty. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired out of pocket. Additionally, the instrument panel was also replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Electrical System · at 90,000 miles · reported May 30, 2019
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.
Air Bags · reported Apr 11, 2019
I sold this car last july 2018 through a trade-in. Please stop sending me all of these horrifying reminders. It is not appreciated. Please remove my name and address from all mailing lists. I did not get it done when I owned the car as the dealership was quite a drive and I could not drop it off. Car is sold.
Air Bags · reported Feb 8, 2018
Received notice of a recall on the pass. Side airbag. Called local dealer, out of business (Greenville mitsubishi). Next closest dealer is 2 counties away (Don herring mitsubishi plano), spoke to benny. Said it's a 5-hour repair and they are open on saturday, but will not perform the recall on saturday. Due to the distance involved, it's unreasonable to tow or drop off my vehicle, and like many, I don't have 8-9 hours to lose to fix mitsubishi's issue (Drive and repair time, plus considering light north dallas traffic). I'm unable to provide the exorbitant time this dealer requires of me to…

Other Mitsubishi Lancer years

Compare all Mitsubishi Lancer years · All Mitsubishi models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer: 18V-220 (air bags), 17V-569 (air bags), 16V-458 (suspension). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer?

Owners report air bags problems most often (10 reports), followed by electrical system (2). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 70,000 miles.

Are Mitsubishi recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Mitsubishi dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.