The 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer has 5 recalls, the most serious being a defective passenger-side frontal airbag inflator that can rupture in a crash and send metal fragments into the cabin, potentially causing serious injury or death.
The airbag issue spans multiple recalls, including one noting that earlier replacement inflators installed as part of a prior repair did not fully resolve the problem, and another specific to vehicles in high-humidity climates where moisture intrusion accelerates inflator degradation. Owners who had the inflator replaced under a previous recall may still be affected. The fifth recall covers a front lower control arm that can detach from the vehicle, causing sudden loss of steering control and 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.
