2006 Mitsubishi Lancer

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2006 models.

Mitsubishi Lancer
Pictured: 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer SE sedan -- 02-04-2012 2. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Compact Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan FWD Es, 4dr Sedan FWD Oz Rally, 4dr Sedan FWD Ralliart
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
26 combined · 23 city / 31 hwy
Length
180.7 in
Curb weight
2,657–2,844 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 26 MPG combined — 17% better than the average 2006 compact car (22.2 MPG).
  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 30 similar 2006 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer is a compact car offered with 3 engines (2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

It measures about 181 inches long and 67 inches wide on a 102-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,657 lb (4dr Sedan FWD Es).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 26 MPG combined (23 city / 31 highway), 17% better than the 2006 compact car average of 22.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,600 a year in fuel.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2006

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2005 Lancer — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2005; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2005 Lancer →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan FWD Es180.7 in66.9 in53.9 in102.4 in57.1 / 57.1 in2,657 lb62/38
4dr Sedan FWD Oz Rally180.7 in66.9 in54.7 in102.4 in57.1 / 57.1 in2,701 lb62/38
4dr Sedan FWD Ralliart180.7 in66.9 in53.9 in102.4 in57.1 / 57.1 in2,844 lb62/38

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Lancer2.0L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive23 / 31 / 26+17%$2,600342
Lancer2.0L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive22 / 29 / 25+13%$2,700355
Lancer2.4L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive20 / 27 / 23+4%$2,900386
Lancer2.4L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive20 / 27 / 22-1%$3,050404
Lancer Sportback2.4L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive20 / 26 / 22-2%$3,050404
Lancer Evolution2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 5-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive17 / 23 / 19-14%$4,350468
Lancer Evolution2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive16 / 22 / 18-19%$4,550494
Spend $1,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
22.2 MPG2006 Compact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2006 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2006 compact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer (this car)26 MPGNot rated4
2006 Toyota Corolla31 MPGNot rated8
2006 Honda Civic42 MPGNot rated7
2006 Honda Accord26 MPGNot rated9
2006 Toyota Camry25 MPGNot rated4
2006 Toyota Prius46 MPGNot rated3
2006 Mazda 327 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (4)

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Apr 5, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V220000 · 17,120 vehicles

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.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Sep 14, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V569000 · 66,001 vehicles

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.
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm · Jun 23, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V458000 · 194,674 vehicles

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.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · May 23, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V334000 · 38,628 vehicles

Problem
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Lancer and Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured June 29, 2005, to June 19, 2007, equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 19, 2016. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-002.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

35Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
1Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
120,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags14
Suspension11
Structure › Body6
Vehicle Speed Control3
Service Brakes3
Exterior Lighting3
Power Train2
Visibility/Wiper2
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
16/05: 116/07: 116/08: 316/09: 116/10: 317/01: 117/02: 117/10: 217/11: 118/01: 218/02: 118/03: 118/05: 118/06: 218/09: 118/10: 119/06: 119/08: 219/09: 119/11: 120/05: 121/05: 122/03: 222/08: 116/0516/0917/0218/0118/0518/1019/0921/05max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 14 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Suspension — 11 owner reports. Drive over bumps and listen for clunks; look for uneven tire wear.
  4. Structure › Body — 6 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 120,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Lancer years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2017 Lancer30181.9 inNot rated06
2016 Lancer30181.9 inNot rated230
2015 Lancer29180.7 inNot rated226
2014 Lancer28180.7 inNot rated221
2013 Lancer28179.9 inNot rated111
2012 Lancer28179.9 inNot rated219
2011 Lancer28179.9 inNot rated428
2010 Lancer26179.9 inNot rated741
2009 Lancer25179.9 inNot rated764
2008 Lancer24179.9 inNot rated450
2007 Lancer26179.9 inNot rated22
2005 Lancer26180.7 inNot rated317

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Mitsubishi. How we calculate this →