1996 Mitsubishi Galant

Routine

Owners filed 136 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train › automatic transmission. It has been recalled 4 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train › Automatic Transmission22
100
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint13
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components9
303
Air Bags › Frontal9
805
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip7
101
Structure › Body › Door6
020
Air Bags5
507
Structure › Frame and Members4
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc4
000
Power Train › Manual Transmission4
100

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump07E055000
Filed Jul 26, 2007222 vehiclesAirtex Products

Defect. CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLIES, P/N E7081H, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WALL OF THE FLARED FITTING OF THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT THICK ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE MATING THREADED FITTINGS FROM BOTTOMING OUT BEFORE AN ADEQUATE SEAL IS ACHIEVED. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION OF THE VEHICLE FUEL LINE AND THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLY.

Risk. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AIRTEX AUTOMOTIVE AT 800-880-3056.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint00V421001
Filed Dec 18, 2000567,432 vehiclesMitsubishi America

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, DIRT AND WATER CAN INTRUDE. ALSO, MMC HAS ADDED THE POTENTIAL OF LEAKING MOISTURE, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE BALL STUD TO CORRODE.

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS CAMPAIGN SUPERCEDES MMC'S PREVIOUS SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN, SEE 99V-066.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT FOR WEAR. BALL JOINTS THAT EXHIBIT WEAR BEYOND THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEWLY DESIGNED LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS. BALL JOINTS THAT ARE WITHIN THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE CLEANED AND A SPECIAL SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED TO PREVENT INTRUSION OF MOISTURE.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly00V237000
Filed Aug 25, 200010,000 vehiclesMitsubishi America

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CRACKS CAN OCCUR IN THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK DUE TO AN IMPROPER SPOT WELD ON THE BAFFLE PLATE TO THE TOP PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK.

Risk. A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK COULD ALLOW FUEL OR FUMES TO ESCAPE. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE UPPER SURFACE OF THE FUEL TANK FOR ANY SIGNS OF CRACKING. IF NO CRACKING OR LEAKING IS FOUND, DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SEALING PROTECTOR PLATE. IF ANY CRACKING OR LEAKAGE IS FOUND, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint99V066001
Filed Apr 5, 1999307,000 vehiclesMitsubishi America

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, DIRT AND WATER CAN INTRUDE.

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RUBBER BOOTS, AND IF THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THEY WILL REPLACE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM AND BALL JOINT ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Structure › Body
Filed Apr 26, 2012179,000 milesKY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS BEING PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE WHEN SHE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE DESTROYED AND WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO OPERATE. THE DAMAGE WAS BEYOND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 179,000.

Suspension › Front
Filed Aug 30, 2010SC

I CURRENTLY BOUGHT THE 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT FOR MY WIFE AND 11 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER. THE DEALER TOLD ME I NEEDED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT TO GET THE PULL AND SHAKE OUT OF MY FRONT END. I TOOK IT TO AN ALIGNMENT SHOP AND THE ASE MASTER TECH. TOLD ME MY CONTROL ARMS WERE BENT DUE TO CORROSION OF THE BALL JOINT, HE THEN TOLD ME THERE WAS A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES AND IF I DON'T GET THE PROBLEM FIXED IT COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING. I DON'T THINK IT WOULD BE SAFE FOR MY WIFE TO LOSE STEERING WITH OUR INFANT DAUGHTER SO NOW I GOT BIGGER PROBLEMS THEN A TWENTY FIVE DOLLAR FRONT END ALIGNMENT. I'M UPSET AT THE DEALER FOR NOT INFORMING ME WITH THESE RECALLS NOT THE MANUFACTURE FOR MAKING THE BAD PART. PLEASE HELP BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed May 13, 2008150,000 milesVT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE, THE JACK WENT STRAIGHT THROUGH THE FRAME WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING LIFTED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A SHOP AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE RUST IN THE REAR SUBFRAME. THE CONTACT SOLD THE VEHICLE RATHER THAN HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 4, 2007130,000 milesVT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY IS ATTACHED TO THE SUBFRAME, WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE BODY. THE ENTIRE PART IS EXTREMELY RUSTED AND PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM JACKING THE VEHICLE AND CHANGING THE TIRE. THE DEALER NOTIFIED THE CONTACT OF THIS FAILURE. THE FAILURE IS NOTICEABLE WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 162,000. UPDATED 01-11-08. *KB UPDATED 12/31/07 *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Nov 17, 2007100,000 milesVT

THE REAR UNDERCARRIAGE OF MY 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT HAS SEVERE RUST DAMAGE TO THE POINT THAT YOU CANNOT EVEN JACK UP THE CAR AS THE JACK PENETRATES THEY SUB FRAME. THE STRUT FROM THE RIGHT REAR ALSO CAME LOOSE FROM THE TOWER. THE REAR WHEELS THAT ARE ATTACHED TO THE SUB FRAME ARE EXTREMELY UNSAFE. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Feb 6, 2007155,000 milesVI

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT. DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE CHECKS THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED RUST ON THE FRAME UNDER THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF EACH REAR WHEEL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 157000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155000. *AK UPDATED 2/27/2007 - *NM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 5, 200584,388 milesWV

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?

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Mar 21, 2005129,000 milesOH

THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION OF MY 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT SLIPS OUT OF GEAR AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND REENGAGES. CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS LOST WHEN THIS HAPPENS.*AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Sep 13, 2004107,000 milesGA

AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL 00V421001, AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE NOT DEFECTIVE. CONSUMER LATER PURCHASED TIRES, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BALL JOINT HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY. *AK

Air BagsCrash3 injured
Filed Aug 20, 200478,000 milesWA

A TRUCK DROPPED SOME BOXES ON THE FREEWAY. A CAR STOPPED SUDDENLY TO AVOID THE BOXES, ANOTHER CAR HIT THEM, FINALLY WE HIT THAT CAR. IT WAS A 3 CAR PILEUP. I WAS DRIVING AND MY WIFE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. WE WERE THE LAST CAR IN THE LINE AND HIT AT ABOUT 45+ MPH. WE WERE IN A 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT WITH ONLY 78K MILES AND WE WERE BOTH WEARING OUR SEATBELTS. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED! IT WAS A DIRECT HIT RIGHT IN THE FRONT OF OUR CAR AT OVER 45 MPH. NOW MY WIFE MAY HAVE PERMANENT BACK PAIN. I CAN GET THE VIN NUMBER IF YOU NEED IT. I JUST DONT HAVE ACCESS TO IT TODAY.*AK

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Aug 19, 2004CA

I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH MY SUN ROOF, BRAKES, GAS, ACCELERATION AND OVER HEATING OF MY CAR. MY SUN ROOF ABOUT EVERY OTHER MONTH SOMETHING GOES WRONG WITH IT EVERY TIME I OPEN IT. MY BREAKS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ABOUT 4 OR 5 TIMES BECAUSE THE WEAR OUT QUICK. WHEN I BREAK MY TIERS SKIP THE CAR STOPS BUT THE TIERS KEEP TURNING. MY GAS IS GONE QUICK AND I ONLY DRIVE HERE IN TOWN FROM WORK TO HOME TO DAYCARE. SOMETIMES WHEN I TURN MY CAR ON THE SPEEDOMETER MOVES BY ITS SELF AS IF I WERE PUSHING THE GAS PEDDLE AND MY FOOTS ON THE BREAK WHEN IT DOES IT BY ITS SELF AND IT DOES IT WHEN I'M DRIVING. I CAN DRIVE A BLOCK AND MY CAR GETS REALLY HOT AND THE FAN IS ON RIGHT AWAY. I CAN'T STAND MY CARE ANYMORE ITS NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS FOR A WHILE.*AK

Power Train › Automatic TransmissionCrash
Filed Apr 26, 200496,498 milesTN

TRANSMISSION FAILED SUDDENLY @ 96,498 MILES IN 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT VIN# [XXX].....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!)...*AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash
Filed Apr 16, 200498,600 milesUT

TOOK IN MY 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT ES FOR IT'S YEARLY INSPECTION. VECHICLE FAILED DUE TO OBD READINESS MONITOR SAYING MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THE LIGHT WAS NOTON AND IN FACT WOKRED PERFECTLY AS TESTED BY TURNING ON THE ENGINE, THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON FOR A FEW SECONDS AS PART OF THE START UP THEN TURN OFF. I HAD TWO SHOPS READ THE ECM WITH A SNAP ON TOOLS COMPUTER TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY CODES IN THE COMPUTER. THERE WERE NONE, BUT IT DID SAY THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, EVEN THOUGH IT WASN'T. I TOOK IT INTO THE SALT LAKE COUTNY EMISSION CONTROL AND THEY PERFORMED THE SAME TESTS YIELDING THE SAME RESULTS. EVERYONE WAS BAFFLED. THE SALT LAKE COUNTRY EMISSION CONTROL THINKS THE ENTIRE ECM IS FAULTY AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 5, 200482,000 milesCA

BRAKES FAILED, CAUSED A COLLISION AND AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 5, 200460,000 milesTX

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE HIT A BRICK WALL. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES TO THE BACK. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 10, 200390,450 milesGA

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.*AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed May 19, 200370,524 milesNJ

WHILE DRIVING, THE BALL JOINTS SEPARATED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STEER TO THE LEFT AND DAMAGED THE AXLE. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 28, 2003NY

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. *JB

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Feb 14, 2003PA

PAID FOR REPAIRS ON A 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT ES SUSPENSION FRONT CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Dec 5, 2002MO

I OWNED MY CAR FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS WHEN THE FIRST TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT APPROX. 40000 MILES WARRANTY REPLACEMENT. APPROX. 1 YEAR LATER THAT TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AT THAT TIME AND I HAD TO PAY $1700 TO REPAIR IT. 4 MONTHS AFTER THAT THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT A THIRD TIME, I BOUGHT A USED TRANSMISSION AND HAD IT INSTALLED. THE TRANSMISSION STILL DOES NOT ACT RIGHT, SHIFTING HARD AND THUMPING A LOT. THERE IS DEFINITLY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THESE CARS AND OR TRANSMISSIONS. DT

20 of 136 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20129000Routine
20113000Routine
20109100Routine
200916000Routine
20086000Routine
200724100Routine
200624110Routine
200526310Routine
200461101Fatalities reported
2003126341Fatalities reported
20021353101Fatalities reported
20011518110Routine
20001367160Routine
19992156101Fatalities reported
199853200Routine
199780210Routine
1996 — this page136440Routine
1995209650Above average
1994198452Fatalities reported
19939000Routine
199239120Routine
199163110Routine
199021110Routine

Compare every Galant year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jul 26, 2007. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.