2002 Mitsubishi Lancer Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 16%of 148 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 49,176miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer, 16% of the 148 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 49,176 miles. 23 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.
“I went into a ditch (was run off the road) passenger door hit a pole, air bag did not deploy and passenger fractured her collar bone. This happened in 2005. Also the blow motor has rusted and needs to be replaced, I found out through the internet that water flows into the motor through the wipers. It cost over $400. To replace the motor.”
NHTSA complaint #10149693, filed 2006-02, 38,003 miles“1) I was driving south down the road at 25-30 MPH, and another car was waiting to pull out of a parking lot on my right, he was going to turn left (north). - he says he didn't see me and pulled out in front of me and I t-boned him. 2)his airbags deployed, but mine did not. The accident was significant enough that they should have deployed. 3) nothing has been done to correct the failure, the car is going to the body shop today.”
NHTSA complaint #10198266, filed 2007-08, 75,000 miles“I was traveling at 30-34 MPH and a intrepid pulled out in front of me and I slammed head on to her driver's side front tire. My seat belts didn't lock resulting in me hitting my chest on the steering wheel and my son in the back seat to hit his head on the back of the passenger front seat. My airbags didn't deploy resulting in my pelvic bone to shift and me to receive whiplash and a buldge in my lower back. The impact of the crash resulted in my car being totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #10159737, filed 2006-06, 49,176 miles“I was in the left turning lane, as I proceeded to turn, a car at high speed ran the red light hit the front driver side of the bumper causing the car to spin,the car was totaled during the accident the air bags didn't deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #10165365, filed 2006-08, 38,200 miles“I was in my 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer and was driving about 35-40 miles an hour and hit a yukon head on. My car is completely crumpled and the air bag did not deploy. This is the second major front end accident I have had with this vehicle (the previous one in 2002) and both times, the air bag did not deploy. Nothing was done by Mitsubishi either time to correct the situation. I was fortunate enough to be able to walk away from both but I worry that others may not be so lucky if this were to happen to them.”
NHTSA complaint #10229237, filed 2008-05, 120,000 milesRelated 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 3 | 50% |
| 2016 | 1 | 3% |
| 2015 | 5 | 22% |
| 2014 | 5 | 31% |
| 2013 | 1 | 20% |
| 2012 | 1 | 5% |
| 2011 | 2 | 6% |
| 2010 | 2 | 4% |
| 2009 | 8 | 8% |
| 2008 | 7 | 8% |
| 2006 | 16 | 43% |
| 2005 | 10 | 42% |
| 2004 | 19 | 24% |
| 2003 | 8 | 4% |
| 2002 | 23 | 16% |
Other parts of the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer
26 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
22 complaintsEngine cooling
19 complaintsBrakes
18 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsEquipment
6 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer
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