2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Problems & Complaints

Better than average53% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Lancer at the same age

Owners have filed 24 complaints about the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 53% fewer than a typical Lancer model year at the same age, making the 2005 one of the better Lancer years. The most reported problem area is the air bags (10 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles). 3 recalls cover this model year.

24complaints
3recalls
3crashes
0fires
2injuries
0deaths

Most common 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer problems

  • Air bags~80,000 miles
    1042%
  • Electrical system~90,000 miles
    28%
  • Brakes~9,000 miles
    28%
  • Speed control & acceleration~132,000 miles
    28%
  • Body & structure~170,000 miles
    28%
  • Suspension~170,000 miles
    28%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~9,000 miles
    14%
  • Wheels & tires~59,000 miles
    14%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~114,000 miles
    14%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~0 miles
    14%
  • Engine & cooling~100,000 miles
    14%
  • Lights~100,000 miles
    14%
  • Steering
    14%

Share of the 24 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Mitsubishi Lancer complaints by model year

’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’171481998324372919851341951623306
Owner complaints per model year, Mitsubishi Lancer. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Lancer years: 2007, 2013, 2017. Years to avoid: 2003, 2002, 2009, 2008, 2004. Compare all years →

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer recalls (3)

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 18V-220 · Apr 5, 2018 · 17,120 vehicles

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.

Remedy: 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.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 17V-569 · Sep 14, 2017 · 66,001 vehicles

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.

Remedy: 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.

Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm

NHTSA recall 16V-458 · Jun 23, 2016 · 194,674 vehicles

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,…

Remedy: 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…

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer:

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

NHTSA investigation PE14016 · opened Jun 11, 2014 · closed Mar 2, 2015 · led to recall 13V-172

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag…

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

NHTSA investigation EA15001 · opened Feb 24, 2015 · open · led to recall 14V-668

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag…

What 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer owners say

Air bags

Good day, I recently got a safety recall letter from Mitsubishi about a possible defect in my car's airbags that when deployed could cause metal fragments to impact my face and body and possibly cause death. The problem I'm having is, on the letter they stated that all the repairs would be at no-cost with no mention of aftermarket parts an extra fee I have to pay for. So I set up an appointment and when I got to the dealer they said I had to pay them a fee to remove my aftermarket alarm and stereo. I was baffled as to why I had to pay for something that wasn't even my fault. I talked to the manager of the dealership trying to be reasonable but they wouldn't waive the fee. I've called the Mitsubishi hotline but to no avail, saying that I have to pay the fee for "uninstallation and reinstallation of aftermarket parts". I don't know where else to go to that's why I'm asking for your help. …

63,000 miles · Jul 2015

Tl contact owns a 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle crashed into three deer. The headlights were destroyed, the front fell off of the vehicle, and the passenger side fender was pushed in. The air bags did not deploy but the SRS air bag warning light illuminated upon impact and had remained illuminated. The contact did not report any injuries. The contact had not called the manufacturer when the complaint was filed. The current and failure mileages were approximately 80,000.

80,000 miles · Apr 2010 · crash

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manualFWD24 / 31 / 26
2.0L 4-cyl4-speed automaticFWD22 / 28 / 24
2.4L 4-cyl5-speed manualFWD20 / 27 / 23
2.4L 4-cyl4-speed automaticFWD20 / 26 / 22
2.0L 4-cyl turbo5-speed manual4WD/AWD17 / 24 / 19
2.0L 4-cyl turbo6-speed manual4WD/AWD17 / 23 / 19

EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer a good car?

Based on 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Lancer rates better than average: 53% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Lancer at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

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

The air bags — 10 complaints, 42% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the electrical system (2) and brakes (2).

How many recalls does the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer have?

There are 3 recalls for the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer, the most recent from April 5, 2018 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Mitsubishi Lancer?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2007, 2013 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2003, 2002, 2009, 2008 and 2004. See the full Mitsubishi Lancer years comparison.

At what mileage do 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 70,000 miles; 37% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.