Mitsubishi has recalled five different models as a part of the largest automotive recall in U.S. history.
This page discusses the Takata airbag recall and what your next steps should be if you determine your vehicle has been affected.
Mitsubishi Recall List
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Mitsubishi vehicles equipped with defective Takata airbags (as of March 2018) include:
- 2012, 2014, 2016-2017 Mitsubishi i-MiEV
- 2004-2007 Mitsubishi Lancer
- 2004-2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
- 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
- 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider
Mitsubishi used 150,000 defective airbags in several of their models. It is important to know if your vehicle has one of these dangerous and defective airbags.
According to the Mitsubishi website, it has installed these defective airbags in both the driver- and passenger-side of its vehicles. The i-MiEV and Lancer models only contain defective airbags on the passenger side. The Raider trucks recall involves defective airbags on both the driver and passenger sides.
If the make and model of your Mitsubishi is on the recall list above, you should check to see if there is an open recall on your vehicle. You can search by your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) using our Takata Recall Search Tool.
The Issue with Takata Airbags
The danger with Takata airbags lies with the type of propellant used to inflate the airbags. Takata used an ammonium nitrate compound without a drying agent. When the airbag deploys, the propellant can ignite too quickly causing the inflator housing to rupture and send shrapnel flying through the airbag at occupants.
While the inflators may rupture in any climate or region, the recall gives priority to certain vehicles in areas of high temperature and high humidity. This is because the ammonium nitrate compound degrades with long-term exposure to heat and humidity.
Take Action to Repair or Replace Your Defective Airbags
If there is an open recall on your Mitsubishi, act as soon as possible to obtain a replacement. These airbags have been connected to almost two dozen deaths worldwide, and hundreds of injuries.
The injuries sustained when metal shrapnel shoots from an airbag at deployment speeds are often catastrophic. Not only is the person facing the airbag in danger, but any occupant inside the vehicle at the time could also become a victim. Some first responders report injuries that look like stabbings or shootings, often to the victim’s face or neck.
If you own a Mitsubishi with an open recall, you can contact your local dealership or authorized Mitsubishi service center for a free repair. According to the Mitsubishi website, the automaker notified registered owners about the recall and their options via First Class mail in 2016 and 2017. Dealers should have the parts available and be able to schedule a time to get your airbag repaired or replaced; however, we recommend you call your local dealer first.
Mitsubishi Recall and Repair Rates
According to the NHTSA, only about 40,200 of the 150,000 defective airbags in Mitsubishi vehicles have been replaced as of March 2018. This means approximately 110,000 defective airbags in Mitsubishi vehicles could still be on the road. The overwhelming majority of these airbags are passenger-side airbags (96,000). This leaves approximately 12,500 driver-side airbags that must be replaced.
Holding Mitsubishi Accountable for Defective Airbag Injuries
Contact a Mitsubishi Airbag Recall Lawsuit Lawyer About Your Crash
The defective airbags lawyers from Newsome Melton are currently accepting personal injury and wrongful death products liability cases related to the Takata recall. If you suffered injuries in a crash where a defective or recalled Takata airbag deployed in a Mitsubishi vehicle, you may have a case. Call us today to discuss your case for free with a member of our team: 888-261-5614.
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