Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (air conditioning, heater, defroster, HVAC controls).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Mitsubishi Galant owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I purchased my 2002 Galant in August 05. When I first turned the dial to heat, it made a "clicking" sound and then started blowing warm air. I noticed that every time I turned the heating/cooling dial it made the "clicking" sound. In April 2006, the "clicking" sound quit and so did the heat. I took the car to a mechanic and was told it was the heater core. I purchased a heater core from the nearest Mitsubishi dealer approximately 50 miles away only for the clicking sound to come back once and to find out the heater core is not the problem. The dealer will not take the $200. Part back saying Mitsubishi will not accept it. I have talked to several others that own 2002 galants who have the same "clicking" sound. Corporate Mitsubishi was not any help in this situation.
About three years ago I got this clicking noise behind my dash and my heat quit working. Well if it would click again it would work. Well it finally quit working all together and after doing some research Mitsubishi seems to be putting bad heat control motors in their cars. My car 2002 and it started this in 2004. As much as I've paid for this car this is unacceptable. This is not a cheap part to have fixed as I have found from my research. It would be one thing if I was the only one it happened to but it seems to be a problem with mitsubishis and I believe they should have to replace their faulty part. Thank you!
No heat. Went to niagara falls in the end of April 2005 and was stuck with no heat on a frigid rainy night. Due to the lack of heat, the windows could not be properly defogged and passenger compartment was dangerously cold. One occupant became ill (minor). While openning the windows a crack helped, the windshield still fogged. The windows could not be openned much due to the rain and cold. Luckily a napkin was available to wipe the windshield , otherwise we May have been unable to drive and stranded on a remote stretch of highway. The mileage was about 35,000 mi.
I bought the car, an 02 Mitsubishi Galant from a private owner who pointed out to me the knocking sound in the dash when switching from cold to hot air. A friend of mine has the same car and the same problem. Yesterday mine stopped knocking and blowing any hot air at all. It sounds online like many people has been mistreated by the dealership in regard to this matter. Now I don't know what to do, because I have to have at least defrost in my commuter car! Please review this chronic problem with this model.
Clicking noise when turning the air from hot to cold or cold to hot. Clicking noise stopped and heat no longer works. I have no defrost/defog which causes problems with visibility. I am taking the car in for repairs this week. Paint faded and corroded on the hood, trunk, roof, quarter panels, and door panels in 2004. I took it to the dealership and was told they couldn't do anything about it. I have recently taken it to a body shop and had it repainted.
On my 2002 Mitsubishi Galant with the 3.0 liter engine, the heat occasionally fails to provide warm air. The fan works, the car is at a normal running temperature, and all hoses are warm. The heater control motor is failing. The part is cheap but you have to remove most of the dash board to replace it. The dealer charges an unusually large amount to fix it, anywhere from $300 - $600.
Mitsubishi Galant es, has a problem with the heat/ac control, makes a grinding noise, it also locks into a position which only allows cold air to be vented...bad if it's cold outside. Mitsubishi won't replace the defected parts, they ask the customer to pay for parts and labor. The problem began while under warranty but was never replaced.
As seen several times on this complaint page my Mitsubishi Galant 2002 models heater has gone out do to what I do not know. I also had a clicking noise when I would turn the dial from cold to hot. Then finally about 6 months ago it just stopped and since have not heat to come back on!
2002 mitshubishi Galant- heat stopped working at 75,000 miles. When turning on heat car began making a "gargling" noise and then eventually stopped working all together. A/C works fine just the heat will not come on!
Two weeks ago our cars? Passenger front panel started to smoke within a few minutes the engine was started. At the time it happened we did not know where the smoke was coming from. When I went to get closer to the smoke it was the panel where the window and door buttons are. The security guard in our building had a flashlight and saw the top part of the panel was melting, he was able to lift the melting plastic and inside the door the smoke and flames were. The fire extinguished and we pulled the fuse. Now we have no power windows on all so we are driving without the ability of opening the windows. Thank god we were not on the highway when it started. I called Mitsubishi and they told me there were no recalls for this problem yet on your site there were two others with the same problem. Since it?s passed the warranty time they are not responsible to pay for the damages. …
AC & Heater complaints in other Galant years
Frequently asked questions
How common are ac & heater problems on the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the a/c & heater of the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant, 15% of the model year's 135 complaints. The component named most often is defroster/defogger/hvac system › heater core (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Mitsubishi Galant ac & heater problems?
No. NHTSA lists no a/c & heater recall for the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant, though it has 2 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 2002 Mitsubishi Galant ac & heater problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to a/c & heater 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.