Airbag complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 3 | 50% | — |
| 2016 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2015 | 5 | 22% | 49,000 miles |
| 2014 | 5 | 31% | 103,000 miles |
| 2013 | 1 | 20% | 116,000 miles |
| 2012 | 1 | 5% | 86,000 miles |
| 2011 | 2 | 6% | 90,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 4% | 22,000 miles |
| 2009 | 8 | 8% | 70,000 miles |
| 2008 | 7 | 8% | 36,000 miles |
| 2007 | 1 | 50% | — |
| 2006 | 16 | 43% | 100,000 miles |
| 2005 | 10 | 42% | 80,000 miles |
| 2004 | 21 | 25% | 83,000 miles |
| 2003 | 8 | 4% | 28,000 miles |
| 2002 | 23 | 16% | 49,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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.
I was traveling along 20 miles below the speed limit had a deer jumped out in front of me I swear to miss it my front passenger side tire went off the asphalt and into soft dirt and my car high centered on the raised lip of the road and slid down the hillside landing into trees both going forward and towards the right side of the car stopping because of trees it destroyed the front end the entire undercarriage the entire passenger side of the car popped open the sunroof tried pushing the roof off the back driver side of the car and no airbags went off no safety features other than the seat belt work.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer. While driving approximately 35 MPH and attempting to exit the highway, the contact lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle turned 360 degrees and crashed into a lamp post on the passenger side. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained minor injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
I was involved in a accident and the air bag exploded. My concern is I was 47 and pretty good shape yet I had pain in my chest for over12 mo. I concerned people in less shape than me will never survice the imkpact of that airbag because I felt like I barely survived. Maybe this is the way it works I never had one hit me before but to this day I still feel a little pain.
My car was recently wrecked going around the corner in the snow is it slid off the road into a telephone pole and the fire hydrant the airbags did not go off when we impact we were doing about 40 miles per hour. The car also did not turn itself off like it should have.
I was on the 4th floor of a parking garage in my town and was going up to the top level. As I am about to turn the corner, I realize I am going a bit faster than I thought. So I apply full pressure to the brakes which did not work as fast as they were supposed to. The tow truck man later told me that I was going around 20 to 30 MPH at time of impact. When I hit the pillar in front of me, the airbag didn't deploy and my seatbelt did not tighten as they were supposed to. This meant that my whole body snapped forward and impacted collarbone first into the steering wheel. After this incident, my whole left side felt numb and I was left with a swollen collarbone and contusions from the impact.
Was not aware of this new recall in July 2020 a detached front control arm May make you lose control of the car .my 17 year old daughter lost control of her car because the right side tire started to shake and the steering wheel locked up and she was unable to control car and wrecked on 6/26/2020 her air bags on passenger side came out when she went off the road in a ditch. She was driving in clear conditions at 55 MPH and the right front side started to shake. She was given a ticket for failure to maintain control of her car. And has a court date with reckless driving. I can give you the va court id for the details of this.
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 worst when I am driving slowly and try to come to a stop. I have taken my car to the dealership and was told that my brakes are in good condition and the mechanic didn't understand why the car was having issues stopping.
Related recalls (4)
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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.
Remedy: 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.
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
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…
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA investigations
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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
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…
Electrical overstress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mitsubishi Lancer years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2002 (23), 2004 (21), 2006 (16), 2005 (10) and 2003 (8) model years. Airbag complaints make up 16% of all complaints for the 2002.
Is there a recall for Mitsubishi Lancer airbag problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 18V-220 (inflator module, Apr 5, 2018); 17V-569 (inflator module, Sep 14, 2017); 16V-334 (inflator module, May 23, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mitsubishi Lancer airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles; 48% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (23 mentions), followed by the frontal › sensor/control module (1).
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.