Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 Lancer Sportback 2.4L.
The 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback 2.4L is a front‑wheel‑drive passenger car built on Mitsubishi’s compact sedan platform, powered by a 2.4‑liter inline‑four that takes 4.5 quarts of 5W‑20 or 10W‑30 API‑certified oil and is paired with a four‑speed automatic transmission delivering EPA‑rated 20/26/22 mpg city/highway/combined. With seven recalls on record and air‑bag system concerns leading the list of owner complaints, the model year logged 37 total complaints—more than both the lowest (3 complaints in 2013) and highest (16 complaints in 2014) points in the 2004‑2014 complaint history, suggesting a relatively troubled reliability profile for this generation. Consequently, the 2006 Sportback occupies a less favorable position in the Lancer’s long‑term dependability trend, indicating that owners should expect a higher likelihood of service visits compared with the better‑scoring years.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 520 CCA battery, OE oil filter MZ690072. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
| Engine oil filter | MZ690072 |
| Engine air filter | MR552951 |
| Fuel filter | MR552781 alt MR571545 |
| Spark plug | MN158596 alt 1822A022 |
| Front wiper blades | 8250A536 alt MZ693015 |
| Serpentine belt | 4451A106 alt 4451A107 |
| Thermostat | MD363571 alt MD315301 |
| Cabin air filter | MR398288 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
| Overall length | 180.7 in |
| Overall width | 66.9 in |
| Overall height | 53.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 102.4 in |
| Curb weight | 2657 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 57.1 / 57.1 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 62/38 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 20 / 26 / 22 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 94 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 25 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-20 / 10W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | Mitsubishi Diamond Queen SP-III |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 8.1 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 · DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 1.3 Pints |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | 5W-20 · API · 10W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4.5 qt |
| Manual Transmission Fluid | 75W-80 · GL-4 |
| Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts | 15-21 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | Bolts: 18 ft-lbs, nuts: 15 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 36 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 29.0 ft-lbs |
| Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs | 12 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 65-80 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Fill Plug | 23.0-25.0 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Drain Plug | 23.0-25.0 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 160-202 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 112-148 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 160-202 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 112-148 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 700 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance | 8,500-11,500 ohms |
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.028-0.035 in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 13.0 ft-lbs |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.06-1.15 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 2.0 L |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 35 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 520 cca |
| Pressure Test | 23 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 14-18 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 187-193 °F |
| Injector Primary Resistance | 28 |
| Engine Compression | 164 |
| Engine Oil Pressure | 4.3 psi @ Idle, 43-100 psi @ 3500 rpm psi |
| Intake Valve Lash | Hydraulic in |
| Exhaust Valve Lash | Hydraulic in |
| Torque to Knuckle | 52-65 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 89-111 ft-lbs |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 25-31 ft-lbs / 28-36 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 74-81 ft-lbs / 42-48 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.080; Rear: 0.080 in |
| Minimum Shoe Thickness | 0.039 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 1.26 in / 0.87 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 1.26 in / 0.87 in |
| 1 | 15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 | 15 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 58 ft. lbs. | 58 ft. lbs |
| 2 | Loosen all bolts completely in reverse order. | |
| 3 | 15 ft. lbs. | 15 ft. lbs |
| 4 | 90 degrees. | 90 degrees |
| 5 | 90 degrees. | 90 degrees |
| 1 | 58 ft. lbs. | 58 ft. lbs |
| 2 | Loosen all bolts completely in reverse order. | |
| 3 | 15 ft. lbs. | 15 ft. lbs |
| 4 | 90 degrees. | 90 degrees |
| 5 | 90 degrees. | 90 degrees |
| 1 | 54 ft. lbs. | 54 ft. lbs |
| 2 | Loosen all bolts completely. | |
| 3 | 15 ft. lbs. | 15 ft. lbs |
| 4 | 90 degrees. | 90 degrees |
| 5 | 90 degrees. | 90 degrees |
| 1 | 30 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 | 30 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs at 105,000 mi.
| Every 15,000 mi | Active Torque Transfer System (inspect fluid level) |
| Every 30,000 mi | Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Drive Belt (replace) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) |
| At 105,000 mi | Spark Plugs (replace) · Timing Belt (replace) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback generated 11 air‑bag complaints, 6 suspension complaints, 3 structure complaints and an additional 2 combined suspension‑structure reports. It recorded five crash‑related complaints and no fire‑related complaints, while the adjacent years show 8 complaints in 2004 and a rise to 16 complaints in 2014, with investigations also appearing in 2013 and 2014. No federal investigations, recalls, or TSBs were issued for the 2006 model, contrasting with the higher complaint volumes and investigative activity in later years. The complaint profile is dominated by air‑bag and suspension issues, yet the absence of fire incidents or safety‑critical recalls keeps the risk profile low. Given the comparatively modest complaint count, zero fire incidents, and lack of recalls, the 2006 model presents a relatively safe and reliable choice for a used‑car purchase.
All 37 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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… 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…
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: 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…
Showing 5 of 69 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| TIN-25-00-013 | 2025-11-10 | Air Bags | This Technical Information Notice informs dealers that with permission from the Puerto… |
| TIN-25-00-011 | 2025-09-08 | Air Bags | This Technical Information Notice informs dealers that with permission from the Texas… |
| TIN-25-00-004 | 2025-04-11 | Air Bags | This Technical Information Notice informs dealers that with permission from the Louisiana… |
| TIN-25-00-005 | 2025-04-11 | Air Bags | This Technical Information Notice informs dealers that with permission from the Ohio… |
| TIN-24-00-011 | 2024-12-09 | Air Bags | This is a Technical Information Notice informing dealers that MMNA is launching a social… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
4.5 qt of BELOW 100 degreesF 5W-20 SM API, ABOVE 0 degreesF 10W-30 SM API, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined mpg.