Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Mitsubishi Galant owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Complaint: repeated problems with front brakes. Rotors have needed to be resurfaced several times and now are unable to be resurfaced again and need to be replaced. Continuous vibration of brake pedal and in steering wheel while braking. At times, entire car feels like it is shaking (passengers notice the vibrations through their feet on the floorboard). Was involved in an accident in November of 2002 where I felt that if the brakes were operating as they should be, I would have been able to stop in time. Dealer has not been contacted, although judging by the sheer number of complaints, I'm sure they are aware of the braking issues with the Galant. Please provide me with more information. …
This car has had a problem with the o2 sensors, fuel line, oil leaks, fuse and electrical shorts from the start. We have tried to fix the problems, but the repairs never lasted long. The brake line recently started leaking. Today we were in a wreck because the brakes went out. We were traveling at 35 MPH and should have had time to stop. The car slid under a truck, and was totaled. We were never contacted about any recalls involving our car.
At just after 48,000 miles on the 2001 Mitsubishi Galant es v6, the ABS and traction control lights came on and stayed on while operating the vehicle. The brakes, which had recently been replaced, made loud echoing crunch noises. Braking distance increased. The brakes had almost always been wobbly, even with newly machined rotors. Also, front and side air bags did not deploy when vehicle rear-ended a tahoe on a different occasion.
Driving at 30 miles an hour on city street. Prepared to stop at stop light. The brakes did not respond, and the vehicle accelerated. The driver lost control of the vehicle within seconds was steered to the curb flipped and crashed on the roof of the vehicle. The vehicle was still racing after the vehicle crashed. The vehicle was totaled. Driver and passeger were taken to the hospital and released with cuts and bumps.
Brakes & rotors constantly have to be replaced. Car was in an accident 3 times hit from the front and airbags never deployed. Engine has stalled on several occasions. Problem with horn fuse. High beams stopped working. When accelerating, sounds like engine is having problems getting gas. Doesn't accelerated to well at all sometimes.
I purchase a Mitsubishi Galant on July 23, 2003. Since then I have had 4 front brake change, rotor cut 2 times,replace caliper, ABS / anti-lock sensor sensor replace once. With that been the manger and on going problems I have had an accident due to brake failure. I also notice that the steering wheel is always vibrating.
Brakes failed. The breaks began squeaking then they failed when trying to stop at a red light. Slid into the intersection and caused an accident. This car saved my wife's life with the side impact airbags but also caused the wreck. The cars fluids are serviced regularly and had all fluids, the car just failed to stop.
Mitsubishi Galant 2001 es has severe brake system failure. Brake pads that were installed by manufacture always worn out within 1-1/2 year or 15000. Mitsubishi Galant 2001 es has a problem with engine gasget. My car engine gasget was leak twice in 2003.
Transmission went out -repaired2-6-08,constantly replace battery,5-31-07 ,two times in 208,reprogram car it would not stay cranked,replaced radiator-208, left head light bulb is melted into socket ,light goes dim whole thing has to be replaced brakes kept making loud noise,still do some time12-14-06, six months later had to replace pads,steering wheel shakes when putting on brake,replace blinker switch-7-27-07,all lights on dash board goes off and on, started happening after first oil change-5-19-05, sensors alternator belt, p/s dolt,replaceradiator hose. Door handles and both mirrors,are discolored,looks like white glue,when I drive for about 30 minutes cut car off ,sometime it will not crank. I am still having problems and still paying for car and transmission repair. I was told by dealership and warranty co. These problems was not under warranty.
I have replaced the pads and turned the rotors on a 2001 Mitsubishi Galant de to correct the problem with the car shimmying and poor braking ability. This corrected the problem for only 5,000 miles. I can see that I am going to have to replace or turn the rotors again and possibly replace the brakes. I have a friend who is having the exact same problem with his 2001 Mitsubishi Galant es. I have also talked to other owners who are experiencing the exact same problem. After I ahve found this web site I will refer them to write a complaint. This has been very frustraiting because there does not seem to be a resolution and the car is recently out of the warranty at only 36,000 miles. I would like to know if there are other people who are experiencing the same problems and if they have found a resolution ?
Brake complaints in other Galant years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2001 Mitsubishi Galant?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the brakes of the 2001 Mitsubishi Galant, 22% of the model year's 151 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Mitsubishi Galant brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2001 Mitsubishi Galant, though it has 7 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 2001 Mitsubishi Galant brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 34,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries to brakes 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.