The 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer has 5 recalls, the most serious being a passenger-side frontal airbag inflator that can rupture in a crash and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death.
This airbag defect is the subject of multiple recalls, including follow-up campaigns after earlier repair attempts proved insufficient. The core problem is that the passenger airbag inflator is vulnerable to moisture and heat exposure over time, which degrades the propellant inside. When the airbag deploys in a crash, the inflator can burst violently rather than inflate the bag normally, turning the inflator housing into a source of metal shrapnel directed at whoever is sitting in the front passenger seat. Prior repair attempts that replaced the inflator with a like-for-like part under earlier campaigns did not fully resolve the issue, and vehicles that received that interim remedy, as well as those in high-humidity regions, are included in the most recent round of this recall. The remaining recall covers the front lower control arm, which can detach from the vehicle while driving. If that happens, the driver loses the ability to steer and the vehicle becomes uncontrollable, sharply raising the risk of a crash.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger side frontal air bag inflator may allow moisture to enter over time, which could cause it to explode during air bag deployment.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a final replacement passenger side frontal air bag inflator at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator can allow moisture inside over time, which may cause it to rupture.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator with a different inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front cross member can corrode from salt water exposure in certain regions, potentially causing the front lower control arms to detach.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the front cross member and either apply a sealing/anti-corrosion agent or replace it with a new sealed one at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Heat and humidity can break down the gas inside the passenger front airbag over time. If it deploys in a crash, it may inflate with too much force, causing fragments to shoot toward occupants and potentially damaging the airbag.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the airbag inflator.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash. Propellant inside degrades over time from humidity and temperature changes, weakening the inflator.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
