Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Mitsubishi Galant owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Transmission failed suddenly @ 96,498 miles in 1996 Mitsubishi Galant VIN# [redacted].....coleman taylor transmission/memphis tn attempted to rebuild transmission for 3 weeks.....had to remove and get another rebuilt transmission......4 days after picking car up.....gears 1-3 slam severely in and out of gears up and down......gears 4-5 OK an expressway......reported prob to coleman taylor....suggested (on a Saturday) to remove ground from battery to re-set computer and told to test drive....test drove and transmission began slamming in and out of gears 1-3 severely and making a terrible noice, causing driver to run into a ditch.....car is expected to be determined a totaled by progressive ins today...........air bag did not deploy either.........caused a $75.00 towing and fine by memphis police dept for failing to maintain outlook (they felt sorry for us!)...
Car was running in park; my 8 year old daughter got in car; I was standing right outside of car; she climbed into the front of car to retrieve an object, her foot was caught between the drink holder and the gear shifter; car went into reverse with my daughter inside and crashed into a mailbox; the shift lock cable did not work as it should (the brake pedal must be depressed for the car to be put into reverse); manufacturer does not care, and will not fix damages to car; manufacturer just wants to make more money by replacing the shift lock cable for $300.00; does not care about the damage to my car
I was driving about 60 MPH on the highway, when all of a sudden, the transmission shifted three times. The check engine light came on, and when I got home, the car would not go into reverse. The next day, I placed the gear in drive, and pressed the gas; it sounded as if the entire everything would fall out. My transmission has gone out without warning, and I know this is not normal. I now see that there is a transmission problem with these cars. Please make sure that Mitsubishi takes responsibility and compensate us, the consumers. If they don't, they will only lose customers. Thanks.
Transmission fluid dipstick impossible to read, notified dealer, dealer said that's just how it is designed. I'm worried because tranmissions are a common failure on this generation of Mitsubishi Galant. Can this be corrected by a dipstick redesign?
On March 20, 1999 I purchased the Mitsubishi Galant from mark escude Toyota of 955 I-20 s. Frontage rd jackson< ms 39204 [phone]. After leaving the dealership, about 15-20 miles away the transmission went out & had to be towed back. On March 24, 1999 we returned back to the dealership, 2 hours away, to pick up the car. Now, almost 30000 miles later the transmission has gone out once again, making this the third transmission to be placed in the vehicle. After going online & doing checks on the '96 Galant's transmission I discovered that there was cases after cases of the same Galant s series in which I have where the transmission was having to be replaced. Undoubtabley, there is something in this paticular model that is causing the transmission to fail. …
Transmission had trouble shifting for a few days. At certain speeds the transmission would all of a sudden act like it was in neutral and then pop back into gear. One day, while attempting to take off from a stop light, the transmission would not go into gear. After replacing that one, we are starting to experience the same type of problems. Especially early in the morning when you first attempt to take off the car will not move. Even after letting it warm up for 10-15 minutes the same thing happens. Sometimes it will do the same thing when you take off from a stop sign into traffic. We just pray that when we get into the middle of the road it will pop back into gear. I hate this car and I am having trouble getting rid of it. Evidentally everyone is aware of the transmission problem--except Mitsubishi.
My 1996 Mitsubishi Galant had several problems including, brake pads had to be changed more than usual, transmission completely failed while parked. In addition, the windows /windshield were constantly foggy. The start key could only be taking out by pressing the break. I had problems with the power locks, they will not open, leaks from the sunroof. The horn completely stopped working after three years. The Mitsubishi dealer never issued a ball joint recall which I now found out was defective with the car and after returning my vehicle upon my lease termination they are requesting 1000 + dollars for wear and tear etc. The dealer has not properly followed guidelines and are been sued because of these failures and the customers who purchased these cars are been charged more money by the dealer.
Hi, I am writing this because we have had problems with this car for the past 4 years. The transmission only lasted for 1 or if we were lucky 2 years. Now we all ready put three of them in the car in the past 4 years, two were new and one was used. Now I know that May not seem like a lot of money to some people but when you are trying to support three kids that's a lot. Well my complaint is that why are we having these problems. The dealer said that it was a defect that when they built this car that they were test cars .and they said that as long as I own this car I will have this problem over and over. And the dealer who said it was the one in liverpool new york . So please if you can help let me now what I can do. Thank you.
My wife was stopped at a traffic light, tried to take off, but nothing. Transmission was gone. Dealer said things sometimes happen. Manufacturer said warranty was out at 60,000mi. Estimate was at $2600. Shop said it could not be rebuilt. They tried to blame on us and said it was over full on fluid. We've never put one drop in and even if it was over full it would not cause transmission to seize up in a matte of seconds. We had the car five months when this happened. I am very angry at the dealership and the mfg. For not disclosing this transmission problem. When I asked if this was a common problem they said, "oh, no"!
Transmission slams into gear after starting from first to second then from second to first. Got diagnostics test done at cantins in laconia they stated that the park/neutral switch was wet they cleaned it then stated it was fine. Picked car up and they hadn't fixed the problem for the check engine light came back on and remains on with the problem still occuring. Also, had a recall on this car for the lateral control arm boot assembly . Cantins said it was fine on the car but think that there is a problem with it for when I brake it has a grinding sound to it.
Transmission complaints in other Galant years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1996 Mitsubishi Galant?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1996 Mitsubishi Galant, 26% of the model year's 136 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (24 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Mitsubishi Galant transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 1996 Mitsubishi Galant, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1996 Mitsubishi Galant transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 96,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.