Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
Dt: on 7-11-05 the vehicle caught on fire. Driver and passenger drove on and off all day. The front passenger door burst into flames. The doors automatically locked, and the windows rolled up and down on their own. Doors would not open. The driver was able to kick the door open. Both passengers exited through the driver's side. After exiting the vehicle the passenger got a gallon of water to put the fire out. When she poured water onto the passenger's door the fire went out, but there was still smoke coming from the door. The fire was coming from the front passenger's side area and smoke was coming from the heating vents. Prior to the fire, the vehicle overheated with the heater off. On the day of the incident when she got a cd out of the stereo it was too hot to hold. After the incident the cd in the stereo was wet. The driver was not injured. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Galant. While driving at various speeds, the low beam headlights and the signal lamp failed to operate when activated. The failure recurred constantly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuse failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 02V147000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 25,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Galant. The contact stated that the front passenger door caught on fire as the contact started the vehicle and opened the front passenger window. The fire department was notified of the failure. The contact separated the passenger door panel and poured water in the panel to stop the fire. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 136,000.
Dt: the contact stated while driving noticed smoke coming from underneath the front right panel. After he pulled over and exited the vehicle a fire erupted from the front right passenger door panel. The contact said it looked like a wire shorted out which caused the speaker to catch on fire. Upon inspection by the dealer, they concluded the fire was cause by a short in the wiring.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Galant. The contact stated that the cruise control light illuminated on the instrument panel without it being manually activated. The vehicle was not diagnosed and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 186,000. Updated 6/11/15 updated 06/16/15
The flashers of my 2002 Mitsubishi Galant fail to work. I have changed out the fuse several times only for the flashers to fail in less than a month. The problem in itself is not absolute. I have ran over a rough area on the road and the flashers have started working again, but only for one week. I called Mitsubishi [phone]) on 8 aug 2005 @1:30 pm at which time I gave them my name, address, telephone number and VIN [redacted]. I was informed that there is no recall in their data base for this particular problem. I found information on the NHTSA site (recall id: 02V147000) at which time I called to get more information and was advised to submit a complaint. Updated 07/19/2012
Two weeks ago as I was driving to work, my Galant simply stopped moving. The engine was still running, all the warning lights came on, but the car would not move. After turning it off and restarting it several times, I did get to work and had it towed to the dealership where I bought it. They kept it for 24 hours, drove it, ran some tests and told me they couldn't find anything wrong. The same thing happened yesterday, but it stopped moving five times before I could finally get to work. Again I had it towed to the dealership where they had it for 30 hours; same results. I feel like I'm driving a ticking bomb--I could have been rear-ended any of the times when the car just stopped moving. I need someone to find out what's wrong and fix my car.
1. Purchased "as is" in daylight hours, did not notice interior lights did not function. 2. Interior lights and trunk light do not function. This is a permanent condition. 3. Using ohmmeter, interior light filaments checked, trunk light filament checked. All OK. No voltages measured at inputs to all. Fuses all OK. Door switch OK. Lifted fuses 16 & 17 in engine compartment, no voltage to contacts that should have 12 volts always on, per schematic. Looked up recall # 29924 for this model, year, make, and would appear to be under color of grounding of wires.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Galant. The contact stated that while exiting the vehicle she noticed a burning smell. After returning to the vehicle an hour later there was smoke being emitted from the passenger side front door. The fire was extinguished and the wires were cut to prevent further thermal events. The vehicle was able to be driven to the contact's residence and was not taken to a mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the issue. The failure and current mileages were 129,250. The VIN was not available.
I have 2 complaints. I have a 2002 black Mitsubishi Galant es and like many others I see on the road and have read about on the internet. Oxydization has occurred all over my car, it started about 2 years ago and buffing and waxing does not help. Also, another problem that started about 2 years ago: when turning from air to heat or vice versa, there is a loud clicking noise and then it will turn over when it feels like. I think recently it has just given out and completely broke. I just paid this car off and am embarrassed to drive it.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
On certain passenger vehicles, routing of the vehicle's front harness can allow it to come in contact with a rough edge, allowing abrasion. This could result in grounded circuits.
Remedy: Dealers will install a protector, eliminating any harness contact. Owner notification began July 8, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free…
NHTSA investigations
Passenger door fire
Complaints allege that a fire erupted in the front passenger door.in Mitsubishi's response to odi's March 12, 2008 information request, Mitsubishi asserts that the alleged defect May occur when large amounts of liquids, more than 100cc (3.4 oz), like a soft drink were spilled directly over the power window switch area, all at once and at one time.Mitsubishi found that as the liquid dries off, electrolytes and…
Passenger door fire
In response to this investigation, Mitsubishi motors north America (mmna) initiated a special program on July 31, 2009, to extend the warranty coverage on model year (my) 2001-2003 galant vehicle passenger side window switches to 10 years or 120,000 miles, whichever comes first.notification of this special coverage program to all registered vehicle owners is scheduled to begin in late-September 2009.owners who have…
Electrical complaints in other Galant years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant, 19% of the model year's 135 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › front underhood (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Mitsubishi Galant electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-147 (front underhood, May 29, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Mitsubishi Galant electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 8 fires and 3 injuries to electrical system 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.