Photo: Calreyn88 / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution: common problems and reliability
One of the weaker Lancer Evolution years.
16 owner complaints, most about suspension. 2 recalls.
Should I buy one?The 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has 16 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are suspension and power train.
Safety record for the 2005 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Lancer Evolution years only. How we score it
Is 2005 a good year for the Lancer Evolution?
Across the 10 Lancer Evolution model years we track, complaint volume runs from 2 (2009) to 79 (2010). With 16 complaints, the 2005 Lancer Evolution sits below the model's median of 22.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2005 Lancer Evolution
suspension:front:control arm:lower arm
Campaign 16V458000Mitsubishi 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.
engine and engine cooling:cooling system:hoses/lines/piping/fittings
Campaign 05V335000ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE TURBO CHARGER COOLANT HOSE WAS INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED, AND MAY ALLOW COOLANT LEAKAGE.
What owners say across generations
Insufficient owner data available to determine a clear overall sentiment. The provided data consists almost entirely of image posts, video game tuning guides, and isolated historical references.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Lancer Evolution. See the full Lancer Evolution owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Lancer Evolution listings typically run $25,995–$33,151 across 1998 to 2015 model years.
Other Lancer Evolution model years
Compare every Lancer Evolution year side by side to see how 2005 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Lancer Evolution against its rivals
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