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2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Rear subframe corrosion.” Mitsubishi publishes short, conservative intervals: oil every 7,500 miles normal / 3,750 severe, and — unlike many rivals — an explicit CVT fluid replacement schedule rather than a 'lifetime fill' claim. Read the severe-service column honestly: stop-and-go city trips, short hops, and hot climates all qualify, and they describe how most Mirages actually live. The 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty stays intact only with documented on-schedule service.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.

Reported to NHTSA

Rear subframe corrosion

SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE

3 NHTSA complaints · 2016-10 → 2018-10

“REAR SUBFRAME WHERE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND SUSPENSION BOLTS ONTO IS RUSTED, JUST LIKE THE FRONT SUBFRAME . MANY OWNERS 2003-2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. MITSUBISHI RECENTLY ISSUED A RECALL ON THE FRONT SUBFRAME DUE TO RUST”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11140222
“THE REAR SUBFRAME OF MY VEHICLE EXHIBITS SIGNIFICANT CORROSION PERFORATION WHERE THE REAR AXLE AND SUSPENSION MOUNTS TO THE BODY. THE RUST IS SO BAD, THAT I'M WORRIED IF I HIT A POTHOLE THE ENTIRE REAR SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY / CONTROL ARMS COULD DETACH, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11081338
“I HAVE A RECALL ON MY 2006 MITSUBISHI FOR CORROSION ON SUBFRAME, I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER, THEY CHECKED THE CAR AND ORDERED THE CROSS MEMBER, SO WE MADE AN APPOINT TO TAKE CAR INTO DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT, LEFT THE CAR WITH THE DEALER FOR THE DAY, LATER THAT DAY I GOTTEN A CALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10917930

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Active center differential pump failure

POWER TRAIN, ENGINE

4 NHTSA complaints · 2014-02 → 2018-02

“MY ACTIVE CENTRAL DIFFERENTIAL PUMP FAILED. ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO ALL OF THE FLUID WAS GONE SO I REFILLED IT. LAST WEEK IT WAS EMPTY AGAIN SO I FILLED IT AND THE FLUID JUST DUMPED OUT ON MY DRIVEWAY. THE CAR ONLY HAS 82000 MILES ON IT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11073203
“THERE IS AN ACTIVE CENTER DIFFERENTIAL PUMP FAILURE THAT IS BECOMING COMMON IN ALL LANCER EVOLUTIONS OF THIS YEAR. MINE WENT OUT LAST YEAR AND I HAVE BEEN HAVING TO DRIVE WITH IT FOR A YEAR NOW NOT KNOWING WHETHER THE DIFFERENTIAL IS CORRODING AT AN ACCELERATED RATE OF NOT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10633068
“MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION 9 RS MODEL ACD PUMP FAILURE WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10567977

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Timing belt area noise

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

13 NHTSA complaints · 2009-11 → 2014-04

“MY 2006 MITSUBISHI EVOLUTION 9 STARTED TO MAKE ABNORMAL ENGINE NOISES AUDIBLE WITHIN THE CAB. THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY AND IS MORE THAN WELL KEPT... THE NOISE COMES FROM WITHIN THE TIMING BELT COVER AND SOUNDS MUCH LIKE A WASHING MACHINE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10370304
“I FIRST NOTICED THAT MY 2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION MR STARTED TO MAKE A GRINDING/SCRAPPING NOISE THAT SEEMED TO BE GENERATING FROM THE TIMING BELT AREA. THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10368619
“I 1ST STARTED HEARING A METAL SCRAPING NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVE BELT AREA AROUND 20,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER OF MY 2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION IX MR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10291199

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Premature clutch failure

POWER TRAIN

4 NHTSA complaints · 2006-03 → 2008-04

“I HAVE A 2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION SE. THE CAR ONLY HAS 13,000 MILES AND THE CLUTCH HAS FAILED. ITS A $2,600 REPAIR. MITSUBISHI REFUSES TO FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10224658
“2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION IX AT 35,000 HAD TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH AND REFURBISH THE FLYWHEEL. OVER $1100 AND IT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY BECAUSE THE CLUTCH WAS WORN NOT DEFECTIVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10221094
“I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW VEHICLE IN OCTOBER OF 2005 A 2006 MITSUBISHI EVOLUTION MR. AROUND LATE DECEMBER OF 2005 THE CLUTCH WOULD NOT GO INTO 6TH GEAR. I NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP FROM WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE OF THE PROBLEM AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT'S GET IT CHECKED OUT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10153874

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission grinding and failure

POWER TRAIN

2 NHTSA complaints · 2007-11 → 2007-12

“OWNED 1 2006 LANCER EVOLUTION, AND TRANSMISSION FAILED 4 TIMES. MANUFACTURE BOUGHT BACK, PURCHASED 2ND LANCER EVO, SAME DEALERSHIP, TRANSMISSION PROBLEM S AGAIN AFTER 15 K MILES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10210851
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-65 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT GEARS, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD GRIND. THE DEALER STATED THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED BECAUSE THE SRYNCO FAILED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10210293

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Wiring harness water intrusion

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 NHTSA complaints · 2008-08 → 2010-12

“THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTIONS MADE FROM 2003-2006. I HAVE HAD 2 OF THESE CARS AND SAME PROBLEM... ALMOST STARTED A FIRE IN MY CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10261125
“1. SRS LIGHT, HORN GOING OFF FOR NO REASON, ANY AND ALL DASH FUNCTIONS GOING OFF FOR NO REASON. 2. WATER LEAKING IN CABIN DUE TO IMPROPER SEAL OF A WIRING HARNESS THAT GOES THROUGH FIREWALL. CAUSED WIRING HARNESS TO BE CORRODED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. 3”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10237238
“COMPLAINT *10261125*-THIS COMPLAINT IS 100% ACCURATE, MITSUBISHI HAS RECALLED MANY OUTLANDER SUVS ON THIS SAME ISSUE, PLEASE INVESTIGATE, HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE, TURN SIGNALS, HIGH BEAM, LOW BEAM, HORN, FOG LIGHTS, ENGINE, EVERYTHING WORKS AT RANDOM AND CANNOT BE STOPPED, MY ENGINE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10372342

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 7,500 mi

Replace every 7,500 miles normal / 3,750 severe. Mirage's 1.2L three-cylinder holds barely over 3 quarts — small sumps punish stretched intervals. 0W-20 on most recent models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

CVT Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Mitsubishi schedules CVT fluid replacement — commonly every 60,000 miles normal / 30,000 severe (check your year's table). Use only the specified CVT fluid (J4/CVTF-J4 family); generic ATF destroys the belt-and-pulley unit.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate with every oil change. Light Mirages are easy on tires but the economy-focused OEM rubber wears fast when neglected.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors/drums, and lines at each service — Mirage G4 retains rear drums, which need periodic adjustment checks.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 2-3 years per the schedule. Cheap job, big ABS-unit insurance.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Iridium plugs commonly every 60,000 miles on the Mirage's 3A92 and Lancer's 4B11 — verify your year's table, as some engines list up to 105,000.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Mitsubishi's schedule replaces the engine air filter every 15,000 miles — shorter than most brands, and a 5-minute DIY on the Mirage.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Drive Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles and replace on cracking. The Mirage's single serpentine belt also drives the A/C — a failure strands the car's accessories at once.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace every 15,000 miles, behind the glovebox. Often skipped at quick-lube visits — worth checking if airflow feels weak.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement

Every 60,000 mi

First change around 60,000 miles, then roughly every 30,000-45,000 per the schedule. Mitsubishi long-life coolant or equivalent OAT for your year.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Small-battery economy cars have little reserve — the first cold snap finds a weak one.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution reflects Mitsubishi's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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