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 2001 Mitsubishi Galant owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Mitsubishi Galant. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the transmission had malfunctioned and the vehicle would not operate in the drive and reverse position. In addition, there was a leakage and smoke was also present coming from under the vehicle. The contact indicated that the failure would only occur when engine temperature was heated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The contact indicated that the transmission had previously experienced the same failure and was replaced in 2013. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 220,000.
In December 2005 the car started experiencing problems with a drop in power between 10 and 20 miles per hour. The dealer diagnosed is as shift surge and said the transmission had a leak, resulting in low fluid that overheated the transmission and caused internal damage. The surge occurred on and off for just a week. Now they say we have to replace the transmission and quote of $2,000 plus for a rebuilt transmission. They stated that if we had taken the car to them the first sign of shifting, they might have been able to fix it. A recall was issued for this car for transmission fluid leaks. I had taken this car to the same dealer in October no one mentioned any recalls. It is difficult to understand how a transmission needs to be replaced within four years. How can I determine if the previous owner actually had the work done that was necessary per the recall? …
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.
As of appx 8 months ago, vehicle has bucked on startup. It jumps out , and then stops. Car in forward or reverse jolts out but this is an intermittent occurrence. Yesterday, best describes problem, as I approached red light and put foot on accelerator and car jumped out 3 or 4 times before actually moving forward....this happened for the whole length of my trip...necessitating having to put my hazard lights on so I would not be hit from behind. Repeated trips to reputable mechanic and transmission garage are not able to diagnose problem. Transmission oil and filter and cleaning of solenoids has been done.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Mitsubishi Galant. While driving 50 MPH with the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle would not accelerate. The vehicle suddenly came to a violent and immediate stop on the highway.. The contact noticed smoke coming from the wheels. All the warning indicators lights illuminated. The vehicle would not restart and was towed to the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 102,000. Updated 12/12/2007 the consumer believed the problem was due to transmission failure. The consumer stated the wheels should not have locked up without warning at 50 MPH. Updated 12/12/07
Tl contact owns a 2001 Mitsubishi Galant. While the vehicle was idling, the contact heard a humming sound coming from the engine. She attempted to accelerate, but the vehicle stalled and shut off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that a transmission kit was needed. The contact did not notice any differences beforehand. The current mileage was 94,000 and failure mileage was 73,000.
I was traveling rush traffic going over a hill when the car stop and started to reverse, while in drive. I braked and put car in park stop the engine and restart the vehicle and tried moving forward but the car still preceded backward down the hill. I tried all gears included reverse and none worked except park and car engine was kept on running fine all that time.
While driving, vehicle began sputtering, consumer pulled over to see flames and smoke, there was a recall, c0104c, regarding sparking in the engine which could cause a fire, also, transmission cooler line was found defective, the fires cause is unknown. Ohio traffic crash report.
Vehicle was taken to the dealer for a leak. Dealer stated it was coming from transmission. Dealer corrected the problem, and within 15 minutes, consumer pulled over/ got out, and watched vehicle catch on fire. Vehicle was totalled. Please provide any further information.
Dt*: the contact stated the floor shift indicator shows the vehicle is in park, however upon inspection, the vehicle is in reverse. The floor shifter must be checked and rechecked before exiting. The vehicle was taken to the local dealership for inspection and repaired.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. A hose was mis-manufactured and could weaken over time, which could result in leakage of the automatic transmission fluid.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the hose assembly for the automatic transmission oil cooler. Owner notification mailing will be phased over a five-month period starting March 26, through July 23, 2001.
Transmission complaints in other Galant years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2001 Mitsubishi Galant?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2001 Mitsubishi Galant, 13% of the model year's 151 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Mitsubishi Galant transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 01V011001 (cooling unit and lines, Jan 16, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Mitsubishi Galant transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 6 fires and 0 injuries 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.