Mitsubishi Galant Problems by Year

We compared every Mitsubishi Galant model year from 1995–2012 using 1,416 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 22 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 1999, 2001, 2000, 2002 and 2003, which drew far more complaints than other Galant years at the same age. The best years are 2008, 2010 and 2012.

17model years
1,416complaints
22recalls
1999, 2001worst years
2008, 2010best years

Complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’1220913680532151361511351266126242461699
Owner complaints per model year, Mitsubishi Galant. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20129−85%—Wheel & TireGood
20109−85%1AirbagGood
200916−75%—AirbagGood
20086−90%—BodyGood
200724−66%1AirbagGood
200624−62%1ElectricalGood
200526−61%3BodyGood
200461−26%1BodyAverage
20031262.4×2AC & HeaterAvoid
20021352.5×2BrakeAvoid
20011512.8×7BrakeAvoid
20001362.6×6BodyAvoid
19992154.4×5BrakeAvoid
199853typical1BrakeAverage
1997801.4×1SuspensionCaution
19961362.7×3TransmissionAvoid
19952094.0×5SuspensionAvoid

* Complaints compared with the median Galant year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Mitsubishi Galant problems

Latest Mitsubishi Galant recalls

Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe

NHTSA recall 10V-066 · Feb 25, 2010 · 2,307 vehicles

Mitsubishi is recalling certain model year 2010 galant vehicles. The automatic transmission oil cooler pipe assembly on some vehicles May have insufficient plating to prevent corrosion, if the pipe should develop a hole due to corrosion, automatic transmission fluid leakage May occur.

Remedy: Dealers will have the aft oil cooler pipe assembly inspected. If insufficient plating is found during inspection, the dealer will replace the aft oil cooler pipe assembly with new parts containing appropriate…

Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly

NHTSA recall 08V-454 · Sep 9, 2008 · 45,988 vehicles

Mitsubishi is recalling 45,988 my 2005-2007 endeavor, galant, eclipse coupe, and my 2007 eclipse spyder vehicles. The bracket that is the attachment point for the left rear fuel tank mounting strap May have been improperly formed during a metal stamping process.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect to see if the left rear fuel tank strap mounting bracket has splitting beyond a specific limit. Vehicles with moderate to severe splitting will be repaired using a reinforcement cap, a special…

Electrical system › Ignition

NHTSA recall 08V-276 · Jun 20, 2008 · 73,000 vehicles

Mitsubishi is recalling 73,000 my 2004-2006 gallant passenger vehicles. During vehicle use, the ignition key interlock cable (which is a component of the interlock system) May allow the interlocking cam to fall forward and allow the ignition key to be removed from the ignition switch when the gearshift mechanism is not in the…

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and correct these vehicles for the reported condition. The recall began on September 2, 2008. Owners May contact Mitsubishi at 1-888-648-7820.

Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder

NHTSA recall 05V-409 · Sep 15, 2005 · 2,901 vehicles

On certain passenger vehicles equipped with anti-lock brakes, the brake master cylinder, which controls the fluid pressure to the vehicle's brakes, May allow brake fluid to bypass internally during stopping.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. The recall began on October 3, 2005. Owners May contact Mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037.

Equipment › Other › Labels

NHTSA recall 04V-428 · Sep 1, 2004 · 100,432 vehicles

Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, 'occupant crash protection.' the bilingual english/spanish removable air bag warning labels affixed to the dash and to the sunvisor do not meet the size requirements of the standard.

Remedy: Mitsubishi caribbean will mail a customer notification letter containing a written description and a graphic of the bi-lingual dashboard air bag warning label.

All 22 Mitsubishi Galant recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Mitsubishi Galant should you avoid?

1999, 2001, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 1997 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Galant years at the same age, led by brakes problems in the 1999.

What is the best year for the Mitsubishi Galant?

2008 has the fewest complaints compared with other Galant years at the same age, followed by 2010 and 2012. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Mitsubishi Galant problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the brakes (299), air bags (178) and suspension (169). Brake complaints peak in the 1999 model year.

How many recalls has the Mitsubishi Galant had?

22 recalls across 1995–2012. The model year with the most is 2001. See all Mitsubishi Galant recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.