Mitsubishi Lancer Air Bags Problems
Owners have filed 112 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the Mitsubishi Lancer across 16 model years. The 2002 model year has the most (23). The words owners use most often: “air bag” (27% of reports).
- 112air bags complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 58mention a crash
- 39mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- 27%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Air bag: mentioned in 30 of 112 complaints (27%)
- Bags deploy: mentioned in 14 of 112 complaints (13%)
- Upon impact: mentioned in 7 of 112 complaints (6%)
- Side airbags: mentioned in 6 of 112 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do air bags problems happen?
Based on 55 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 112 complaints, 58 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 39 an injury.
Mitsubishi Lancer air bags complaints by model year
| Model year | Air Bags complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Lancer | 3 | 50% | — |
| 2016 Lancer | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2015 Lancer | 5 | 22% | 44,664 |
| 2014 Lancer | 5 | 31% | 71,675 |
| 2013 Lancer | 1 | 20% | 115,600 |
| 2012 Lancer | 1 | 5% | 86,000 |
| 2011 Lancer | 2 | 6% | 68,356 |
| 2010 Lancer | 2 | 4% | 22,000 |
| 2009 Lancer | 8 | 8% | 42,500 |
| 2008 Lancer | 7 | 8% | 36,000 |
| 2007 Lancer | 1 | 50% | — |
| 2006 Lancer | 16 | 43% | 100,000 |
| 2005 Lancer | 10 | 42% | 75,000 |
| 2004 Lancer | 19 | 24% | 45,000 |
| 2003 Lancer | 8 | 4% | 20,500 |
| 2002 Lancer | 23 | 16% | 49,176 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Model years: 2004, 2005, 2006
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
Model years: 2004, 2005, 2006
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.
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Model years: 2006, 2007
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.
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Model years: 2008, 2009
Problem: Mitsubishi is recalling model year 2008-2009 lancer and lancer evolution vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of 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 district of columbia. In areas where heavy road salt is used in the winter, a long term exposure to a mixture of melted snow with salt thrown up by the other vehicles on the road may cause a water-salt mixture to adhere to the front impact sensors.
Risk: This coating over time may cause corrosion of the sensor. In the event of a vehicle crash of the type that would deploy the airbags this type of short-circuit may cause a delay in the deployment of the airbags which could result in driver or passenger injury.
Fix: Dealers will install new front airbag sensors that have improved corrosion resistance. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on november 27, 2009. Owners may contact mitsubishi customer relations department at 1-888-648-7820.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
See attached file:
I was in 2 auto accidents within the same vehicle within the last month and the airbags didn't deploy either time.
The airbags light came on after I bought the car and I am afraid of I get in an accident they will not deploy my mechanic said I would have to go to a car dealership about it... The brakes also fail if I try to stop abruptly they go to the floor and do not stop the vehicle... The brakes are the…
Airbag light came on saying there is something wrong with my car. No recalls for this vehicle even though this is a huge safety concern and is by default a problem with how the manufacturer made the vehicle.
Air bag light turn on and off
Frequently asked questions
Do all Mitsubishi Lancers have air bags problems?
No. NHTSA has 112 owner complaints about air bags for the Mitsubishi Lancer. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Mitsubishi Lancer air bags?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about air bags problems on the Mitsubishi Lancer?
The most frequent phrase is “air bag”, in 30 of 112 complaints, followed by “bags deploy” (14).
Other Mitsubishi Lancer problems
- Power Train problems (159)
- Visibility problems (127)
See all Mitsubishi Lancer problems.