Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Mitsubishi Galant owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl*- the contact owns 2001 Mitsubishi gallant. The horn would sound without being depressed whether the ignition was on or off. The contact stated that the horn sounded off sporadically without warning. The dealer determined that the airbags needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the airbags. However, the horn continued to beep. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure, and informed the contact they were unable to duplicate the problem. The contact filed a complaint with the manufacturer complaint #1-203-916-392. The vehicle currently had 94000 miles. Dealer stated both horn assembly and air bags needed to be replaced ,the horn shorted out air bags. Customer states was involved in accident on 3/2 when car rolled back into front bumper. The consumer was not able to warn the driver by blowing the horn because the horn short circuited and would not work. …
Me and my wife were driving about 45 miles an hour when the rear end of my car started sliding I try to correct the fish tale but the driver rear tire and rim folded under the car which cause the car to flip several times no airbags deployed the car was so crushed I had to dig down into the ditch to free myself from the car upon taking a closer look I realized the sway bar had pulled apart from both sides of the rear of the car also the main support of the rear suspension had broken in too therefore causing the car to flip we could have easily died in this crash and 2 year old and our 6 month old would have no parents.
I was sitting in an intersection waiting to turn left. As I began to turn a pickup truck ran the light and hit me head on at approx 45 MPH. None of my 4 airbags deployed -- driver front & side airbags nor the passenger front & side airbags. The front end was completely smashed up. My car was towed from the scene and subsequently ruled as a total loss by the insurance company. I don't understand how none of these airbags deployed in this accident!
At just after 48,000 miles on the 2001 Mitsubishi Galant es v6, the ABS and traction control lights came on and stayed on while operating the vehicle. The brakes, which had recently been replaced, made loud echoing crunch noises. Braking distance increased. The brakes had almost always been wobbly, even with newly machined rotors. Also, front and side air bags did not deploy when vehicle rear-ended a tahoe on a different occasion.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Mitsubishi Galant. The contact stated that the driver of the vehicle was traveling approximately 35 MPH and lost control of the vehicle. The driver crashed into a dirt hill, destroying the front end of the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy however, there were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 176,000.
Driver applied brakes at 25-28 MPH and vehicle slid on leave covered road and rear ended another vehicle. Upon impact, neither air bags deployed. Driver sustained cuts and bruises. Vehicle was totaled.
While traveling at 30 MPH, another vehicle traveling at 25 MPH crossed the path of the consumer's vehicle, which forced the consumer to hit the vehicle head on. None of airbags deployed.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Mitsubishi Galant. Two weeks after the dmv inspected the vehicle, the SRS light illuminated. The contact has owned the vehicle since the end of February 2007. According to the mechanic, the computer indicated that there was no driver side air bag in the vehicle. The dealer stated that the owner was responsible for having the air bag replaced. They also stated that if the vehicle failed inspection, they would have given her a refund or made the repair. The SRS light will dim when the air bag is replaced. The contact stated that the horn will not work while the SRS light is illuminated. She received a carfax report prior to purchasing the vehicle, which indicated that the vehicle was not involved in any crashes. She also stated that the trunk does not open from the passenger compartment. The fuel system and powertrain were unavailable. The VIN was invalid. …
I was in a serious accident on March 17 2003. My car was totaled in the accident. The entire front of the car was caved in. The problem was, the air bags did not deploy in the accident like they were supposed to. The type of vehicle was a 2001 Mitsubishi Galant es. I was going approximately 45 miles per hour. The shuttle bus that hit me pulled out in front of me and we collided. I am really upset but thank god I had my seat belt on. I tried contacting the Mitsubishi company but they declined to speak to me and gave the run around. If there is anyway I can get help with this matter I would really appreciate it. Thanks . Chris alexander.
On January 30, 2002, I was in a car accident on interstate 78 express. I was going about 65-70 miles per hour in the right lane. A car merging into traffic crossed over the hazard lines and I swerved to avoid hitting the car. I was driving a 2001 Mitsubishi Galant es. My car begin to spin and I drove into the guardrail, but my airbags did not inflate. My entire front end is damaged. My insurance company, selective insurance, considers my car to be a total loss.
Airbag complaints in other Galant years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2001 Mitsubishi Galant?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the air bags of the 2001 Mitsubishi Galant, 21% of the model year's 151 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Mitsubishi Galant airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2001 Mitsubishi Galant, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Mitsubishi Galant airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 43,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 24 crashes, 0 fires and 14 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.