1996 Mitsubishi Galant Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 15%of 136 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 Mitsubishi Galant, 15% of the 136 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles. 18 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“A truck dropped some boxes on the freeway. A car stopped suddenly to avoid the boxes, another car hit them, finally we hit that car. It was a 3 car pileup. I was driving and my wife was in the passenger seat. We were the last car in the line and hit at about 45+ MPH. We were in a 1996 Mitsubishi Galant with only 78k miles and we were both wearing our seatbelts. Neither airbag deployed! It was a direct hit right in the front of our car at over 45 MPH. Now my wife may have permanent back pain. I can get the VIN number if you need it. I just dont have access to it today.”
NHTSA complaint #10088286, filed 2004-08, 78,000 miles“While driving at 65 MPH consumer suddenly lost control of vehicle, causing it to hit a telephone pole head-on. Upon impact, driver's side and passenger's side air bags failed to deploy. Two people were injured in accident.”
NHTSA complaint #890870, filed 2001-06“Consumer has experienced problems with driver's and passenger's side airbags. During a head-on collision in which the consumer was driving 20 MPH, and other vehicle was going 60 MPH, airbags failed to deploy. The manufacturer has been contacted.”
NHTSA complaint #833269, filed 1999-01“The driver's head hit the windshield after running into a ditch while trying to miss hitting a deer on the road because the front seat belts did not lock upon impact, and the airbags did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #818118, filed 1997-11“The new vehicle srs light (air bag system) comes on; took it to the dealer 7 times and they didn't fix it, can cause a serious accident. Replaced both air bags but srs light still come on.”
NHTSA complaint #810342, filed 1997-03Related service bulletins
- 10170086Nov 1, 2012This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 | 11% |
| 2010 | 3 | 33% |
| 2009 | 10 | 63% |
| 2008 | 1 | 17% |
| 2007 | 8 | 33% |
| 2006 | 5 | 21% |
| 2005 | 2 | 8% |
| 2004 | 6 | 10% |
| 2003 | 11 | 9% |
| 2002 | 17 | 13% |
| 2001 | 31 | 21% |
| 2000 | 11 | 8% |
| 1999 | 12 | 6% |
| 1998 | 2 | 4% |
| 1997 | 8 | 10% |
| 1996 | 20 | 15% |
| 1995 | 30 | 14% |
| 1994 | 35 | 18% |
| 1993 | 2 | 22% |
| 1992 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1996 Mitsubishi Galant
36 complaintsBrakes
30 complaintsSuspension
19 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsEquipment
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsFuel system
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Mitsubishi Galant
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology