Of the 13 airbags complaints filed for the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer,
here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
0 (0%)
25-50k
1 (20%)
50-75k
0 (0%)
75-100k
1 (20%)
100-125k
3 (60%)
125-150k
0 (0%)
150k+
0 (0%)
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted.
Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits
and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 7 model years of Mitsubishi Lancer we track for airbags problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 13.
All 2 active airbags recalls on this vehicle are classified critical — based on documented crash, fire, or fatality outcomes in NHTSA's record.
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.
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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented
repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall
(it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Service BulletinTIN-25-00-013Nov 2025
This Technical Information Notice informs dealers that with permission from the Puerto Rico Traffic Safety Commission, notification letters are being sent to vehicle owners with Puerto Rico addresses to inform them of open Takata recalls.
This Technical Information Notice informs dealers that with permission from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), notification letters are being sent to vehicle owners with Texas addresses to inform them of open Takata recalls.
This Technical Information Notice informs dealers that with permission from the Louisiana Motor Vehicle Division, notification letters are being sent to vehicle owners with Louisiana addresses to inform them of open Takata recalls.
This Technical Information Notice informs dealers that with permission from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicle, notification letters are being sent to vehicle owners with Ohio addresses to inform them of open Takata recalls.
This is a Technical Information Notice informing dealers that MMNA is launching a social media campaign targeting vehicle owners with open Takata recalls.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Thirteen complaints on the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer center on a systemic Takata airbag problem. Multiple owners received recall notices (campaigns 16V334000, 16V344000) but dealerships could not source replacement parts, leaving vehicles in a hazardous, unrepaired state for months or years. One owner, living five hours from the nearest dealer, was offered only $100 gas money despite having mobility restrictions; Mitsubishi declined further assistance.
Some owners with illuminated airbag warning lights were told no recall applied, and dealerships refused diagnostic testing or reschedule attempts. An independent shop also could not diagnose the warning light.
One catastrophic failure stands out: a 2006 Lancer Evolution in a severe rollover crash—curb strike, telephone pole impact, three-foot side hit—deployed no airbags, leaving the driver with a broken pelvis and multiple injuries.
The underlying hazard is the Takata inflator itself: nondesiccated ammonium nitrate with degraded propellant can rupture on deployment, spraying metal fragments through the airbag at high speed into the cabin—a known defect behind multiple Takata recalls that killed at least 23 people.
Same Mitsubishi Lancer airbags reports on nearby years: 2005
Failure modes owners describe
Takata Airbag Recall — Parts Unavailability
Multiple owners received Takata airbag recall notices (NHTSA campaigns 16V334000, 16V344000) but dealerships could not obtain replacement parts, leaving vehicles unrepaired for extended periods despite recall notification.
When: 85,000–122,000 miles; some at unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminated; Recall notice received but repair delayed indefinitely
Codes mentioned:16V334000, 16V344000
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement airbag parts not available from manufacturer/distributor; dealer appointment cancelled due to parts shortage
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Takata airbag recalls 16V334000 and 16V344000; Mitsubishi offered $100 gas reimbursement in one case; one owner's vehicle (production date 8/1/06) fell within recall range (8/4/03–8/28/06) but no states above South Carolina were affected per regional criteria
Airbag Warning Light Without Diagnosis
Owners reported airbag warning indicator illumination but dealerships either declined service or stated no recall applied. No diagnostic codes were obtained and vehicles remained unrepaired.
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning indicator illuminated while driving; Light remained on continuously
Repairs/costs cited: One owner took vehicle to independent mechanic who could not diagnose cause; no repairs completed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer (Ron Marhofer Mitsubishi) stated no recall applied; vehicle not included in NHTSA campaigns 16V334000 or 17V569000; manufacturer notified in some cases but took no action
Airbag Failure to Deploy in Crash
One owner reported severe rollover accident with three-foot side impact where airbags did not deploy. Vehicle struck curb, split telephone pole, knocked down streetlight; occupants sustained multiple injuries including broken pelvis.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment in high-impact rollover accident; Driver sustained broken pelvis and other injuries
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented; accident involved severe impact with curb, pole, and utility structures
Vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators containing nondesiccated ammonium nitrate and degraded propellant, which may rupture under activation and eject metal fragments into the vehicle interior at high speed, risking serious injury or death.
When: Production date range 8/4/03–8/28/06 for affected units
Symptoms owners cite: Inflator rupture risk; potential metal fragment ejection through airbag
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting
9 most recent
airbags · 120,000 mi
· filed 11/06/2017
Activation of a nondesiccated ammonium nitrate inflator with degraded propellant may result in an inflator rupture. An inflator rupture may cause metal fragments to pass through the air bag and into the vehicle interior at high speed, which may result in injury or death to vehicle occupants.
airbags · 85,000 mi
· filed 11/05/2015
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 mitshubishi lancer. The contact stated that the air bag light remained illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer notified the contact that the vehicle's production date, 8/1/06, fell into the range of vehicle's being recalled for takata air bags 8/4/03- 8/28/06; however, there were no states…
airbags
· filed 10/27/2017
I attempted to have the Mitsubishi dealer repair the recalled airbags. They cancelled the appointment I had scheduled (without calling me). I asked them if I could reschedule - they advised they didn't have the parts necessary to complete the work, so they were unwilling to reschedule. I gave them my phone number to call me back. They never did. I tried multiple times to rectify this issue,…
airbags · 100,000 mi
· filed 10/27/2017
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 Mitsubishi lancer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called bay cars Mitsubishi at (850) 785-1591 (615 w 15th st, panama city, fl 32401). The contact…
airbags · 25,900 mi
· filed 10/06/2014
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mitsubishi lancer. While driving 30 MPH, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the technician was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 25,900. Updated 12/01/14*lj
airbags
· filed 09/23/2018
Takata recall: I received a recall notice for my mother's car. The car was totaled more than 5 years ago, and my mother has been dead for a year and a half. Is there any way to have this VIN: [xxx], removed from databases? It is annoying and painful to receive mail concerning a wrecked car that belonged to my late mother.; thank you.; information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information…
airbags
· filed 09/09/2016
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 Mitsubishi lancer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v334000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.…
airbags · 122,000 mi
· filed 08/01/2016
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mitsubishi lancer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v344000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The air bag warning light illuminated. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000. The manufacturer was not made…
airbags
· filed 07/05/2016
Takata recall
Had airbags trouble with your 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 13 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 97,033 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
Yes — 2 active recall(s) cover airbags issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Mitsubishi/Lancer.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.