Owners filed 215 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › foundation components › disc › rotor. It has been recalled 6 times.
When it fails
08000080,000 milesMedian miles at failure
27 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,000–90,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
24
2
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
21
3
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
18
1
0
0
Suspension › Front
10
0
0
0
Unknown or Other
9
0
0
0
Air Bags › Frontal
9
9
0
10
Vehicle Speed Control
8
7
0
0
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
8
0
0
0
Suspension
6
0
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
6
0
0
0
6 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights09E025000
Filed May 11, 200942,540 vehiclesDope, Inc.
Defect. DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy. DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Defect. CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Risk. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy. MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Cooling Unit and Lines01V011001
Filed Jan 16, 2001277,227 vehiclesMitsubishi America
Defect. 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.
Risk. FLUID LEAKAGE FROM THE COOLER HOSES CAN CAUSE TRANSAXLE DRIVEABILITY PROBLEMS AND SMOKE IF THE OIL CONTACTS THE FRONT EXHAUST PIPE.
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. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.
Steering › Gear Box (other Than Rack and Pinion)00V225001
Filed Aug 10, 2000228,294 vehiclesMitsubishi America
Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A NUT IN THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED, RESULTING IN SYMPTOMS RANGING FROM STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION TO STIFF STEERING, AND IN THE WORST CASE, NO ABILITY TO TURN LEFT.
Risk. A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY IF A LOOSE NUT CONNECTION IS FOUND.
Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery › Cables99V333001
Filed Nov 23, 199919,179 vehiclesMitsubishi America
Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES AND FEDERAL EMISSION EQUIPMENT. THE BATTERY CABLE HARNESS CAN BECOME HEAT DAMAGED BY THE FRONT EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH COULD CAUSE GROUNDED CIRCUITS.
Risk. THIS CIRCUIT FAILURE COULD CAUSE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TO OCCUR: (1) THE ENGINE WILL NOT START BECAUSE THE MAIN FUSE WILL BLOW IF THE POWER LEAD IS GROUNDED; (2) THE LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE IF THE SIGNAL WIRE IS GROUNDED; (3) THE AIRCONDITIONING SYSTEM WILL BECOME INOPERATIVE IF THE LEAD TO THE MAGNETIC CLUTCH IS GROUNDED; AND (4) THE TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD LAMPS WILL BECOME INOPERATIVE IF THE VOLTAGE MONITOR LEAD IS GROUNDED.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND DISCARD A METAL MANIFOLD BRACKET (FROM GALANT MODELS ONLY - ECLIPSE HAS NO SUCH BRACKET). DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE HARNESS. IF THE HARNESS WIRES SHOW NO DAMAGE, THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A HEAT INSULATOR ALONG WITH HEAT RESISTANT HARNESS CLIPS. IF THE HARNESS WIRES DO SHOW DAMAGE, THE DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HARNESS WITH PREINSTALLED INTEGRAL HEAT PROTECTION.
Filed Nov 1, 199998,817 vehiclesMitsubishi America
Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE COLUMN SWITCH LEVERS CAN BECOME LOOSE OR BREAK OVER TIME.
Risk. LOOSENING OR CRACKING OF THE LEVERS CAN CAUSE DIRECTIONAL LAMPS THAT DO NOT SELF-CANCEL OR OPERATE, HEAD LAMPS THAT DO NOT TURN OFF, WINDSHIELD WASHERS THAT OPERATE CONTINUOUSLY AND/OR WINDSHIELD WIPERS THAT DO NOT OPERATE.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED SWITCH.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Steering
Filed May 28, 2019150,000 milesOH
WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A DIRT ROAD GOING ABOUT 5 MPH THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE NOT ANY OF THE RUBBER BOOTS THE CONTROL ARM ITSELF RUSTED AND BROKE.
Service Brakes
Filed Nov 30, 2014196,000 milesCA
CARS SLIPS ALL THE TIME WHEN THE ABS LIGHT IS ON. TODAY IT WAS RAINING AND IT ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP AT A SPEED OF 25 MPH IN TRAFFIC. VERY SCARY. *TR
Electrical System
Filed Jul 25, 20115,100 milesCO
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD LIGHTS FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V333001, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: BATTERY: CABLES RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
Structure › Body
Filed Sep 7, 2010NC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXTERIOR PAINT WAS OXIDIZED WITH CHIPPING ON THE HOOD, ROOF AND TRUNK LID. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THE CONCERN OF WARRANTING A RECALL RELATED TO THE EXTERIOR PAINT DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Electrical SystemFire
Filed Oct 10, 2009134,308 milesCA
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICE A FIRE COMING FROM THE WIRING HARNESS OUT OF THE FUSE BOX. DISCONNECTTED THE BATTERY AND TOWED IT HOME. *TR
Structure
Filed Jun 17, 2008PA
1999 MITSUBISHI GALANT ES BLACK PAINT IS DETERIORATING AND GETTING WHITE. *TR
Structure
Filed Feb 17, 2008NY
THE PAINT ON MY CAR IS FADING, I SEE WHITE SPOTS ON THE HOOD, TRUNK AND ROOF OF CAR. THE CAR IS BLACK. I SEE MANY OTHER, SAME TYPE, CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE BODY SHOP TOLD ME IT IS A DEFECT FROM WHEN IT WAS PAINTED. *TR
Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal › Switch
Filed Dec 21, 2007109,371 milesGA
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH FAILED. AS OF DECEMBER 21, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TURN SIGNAL: SWITCH). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 109,371.
Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/RegulatorFire
Filed Nov 12, 2007141,203 milesTX
ALTERNATOR AND WIRE HARNESS CAUGHT ON FIRE ON MY 1999 MITSUBISHI GALANT. HARNESS AND ALTERNATOR PLUG WERE TOTALLY BURNT. HAD TO REPLACE BOTH AT MY COST. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE RADIATOR WHILE AT THE SHOP. LOST 1 DAY OF WORK DUE TO THIS. *TR
Structure
Filed Aug 9, 200788,000 milesMO
1999 MITSUBISHI PAINT PROBLEM. *TR
Steering › Gear Box (other Than Rack and Pinion)Crash1 injured
Filed Jun 6, 2007OR
I PURCHASED A '99 MITS GALANT FOR MY DAUGHTER FOR HER 16TH B'DAY IN NOVEMBER OF 2004. SHE CONTINUALLY COMPLAINED OF STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION WHICH I DID FEEL ON THE COUPLE OF OCCASIONS I DROVE THE VEHICLE. IN LATE 2005 SHE WENT TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STEER LEFT. SHE SUBSEQUENTLY HIT A RETAINING WALL. I DID NOT TURN IT INTO MY INSURANCE SINCE IT WAS PURELY COSMETIC. SHE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE VERY LITTLE. SHE SAVED HER MONEY UNTIL LAST MONTH WHEN SHE HAD THE FRONT END REPAIRED. WITHIN WEEKS OF GETTING THE VEHICLE BACK SHE AGAIN WENT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN OFF OF OUR STREET AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STEER LEFT AGAIN. SHE HIT A TRAILER AND PUSHED IT INTO A FENCE. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS TIME SHE WAS INJURED AND HAD TO BE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. DUE TO THIS 2ND OCCURRENCE I DECIDED TO CHECK FOR RECALLS THAT DEAL WITH THE STEERING ON THESE VEHICLES. I FOUND RECALL #00V225001 DATED 8/10/2000 THAT DESCRIBES HER PROBLEMS PERFECTLY. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY I WAS NOT MADE AWARE THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE THIS CHECKED WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I THINK THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THE CURRENT REPAIRS ON THE VEHICLE OR REPLACE IT.
Structure › Body
Filed May 18, 200740,000 milesKY
AM WRITING TO YOU BECAUSE MITSUBISHI MOTORS WAS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS PRODUCTS. ON AUGUST 27,1999 I PURCHASED THE BLACK GALANT. THIS WAS MY FIRST NEW CAR PURCHASED,, AND WHILE IT HAS REMAINED MECHANICALLY SOUND, FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS I HAVE WATCHED THE PAINT DISAPPEAR. I HAD SERVICE WORK PERFORMED AT SAM SWOPE MITSUBISHI. IN 2003 I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE PAINT, AND WAS TOLD ONLY IF THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER THE 3 YEAR, 36,000 MILE WARRANT, AND OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS SERVICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES HAVE SEEN THE PAINT DISAPPEAR. I ASKED SEVERAL TIMES IF MITSUBISHI WAS REPAIRING THE PAINT, M AND WAS TOLD ONLY IF THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER THE 3 YEARS, 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. IN OCTOBER 2006 I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AGAIN. THIS TIME PICTURES WERE TAKEN BY THE SERVICE MANAGER AND SENT TO THE MANUFACTURER. AFTER ABOUT TWO WEEKS THE RESPONSE THAT I RECEIVED FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS THAT MITSUBISHI WOULD NOT PAY TO FIX THE PAINT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS TOO OLD, AND THAT NO OTHER COMPLAINTS MADE BY ME WERE FOUND. I COMPLAINED TO MITSUBISHI MOTOR CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT IN MAY OF 2005. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE EMPLOYEE I SPOKE WITH STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THE PAINT WAS PROBABLY ENVIRONMENTAL, AND THAT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS OVER THE 3 YEAR, 36,000 MILE MARK THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. I COMPLAINED AGAIN IN DECEMBER 2006. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE EMPLOYEE STATED,THAT MY CAR WAS TOO OLD, AND THAT NOTHING WOULD BE DONE ABOUT THE PAINT. THE GALANT CAME TO THE DEALER WITH A CHROME PEN
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Jan 6, 200732,500 milesOH
THE GAS PEDAL STICKS CAUSING CAR TO ACCELERATE TO FAST. SEEMS TO BE WHEN I FIRST GET IN THE CAR AFTER IT HAS SET FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS. THIS STICKING PEDAL IS GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL BASED ON THE INFORMATION I HAVE SEEN ON THIS WEB SITE. *JB
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Dec 2, 200633,000 milesOH
EVER SINCE PURCHASE OF 1999 MITSUBISHI GALANT IN 2003 THE HEATER DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. ENGINE TEMP IS NORMAL BUT BLOWS OUT COLD AIR. GIVE IT THE GAS AND IT BLOWS OUT HOT AIR. TAKE FOOT OFF OF GAS AND GOES COLD. REPLACED THERMOSTATS TOLD THAT IT IS A DEFECTIVE HEATER CORE THAT GOES BAD IN ALL OF MITSUBISHI'S. *NM
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Torque Converter
Filed Nov 17, 200640,000 milesNY
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED AND HAD WORSENED OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A POWER FLUSH PERFORMED, ALL RELATED FILTERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER EXPRESSED THAT IF PROBLEMS CONTINUED, THE TORQUE CONVERTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE NECESSARY WORK WAS PERFORMED, BUT THE PROBLEMS WORSENED.
Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 14, 2006NJ
STARTED TO NOTICE THAT THE CLEAR COAT ON MY 1999 BLACK MITSUBISHI GALANT WAS PEELING OFF ON THE HOOD. NOW MY HOOD, ROOF, AND TRUNK ARE TOTALLY PEELING OFF. NOTICED THIS ON A LOT OF OTHER BLACK GALANTS. I KNOW THE CAR WAS ABOUT 5 YEARS OLD WHEN I FIRST NOTICED IT, BUT THE PAINT SHOULDN'T OF GOT SO BAD SO QUICK. ANY RECALLS ON MITSUBISHI PAINT?*JB
Electrical System › Starter Assembly
Filed Oct 18, 2006126,000 milesSC
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE DID NOT START IMMEDIATELY UPON TURNING THE IGNITION. THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED BRIEFLY. PREVIOUSLY, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO 3 DIFFERENT PRIVATE REPAIR SHOPS, WHO ALL DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE STARTER. EACH TIME, THE STARTER WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. ALSO, A PIECE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER SWITCH DETACHED FROM THE SWITCH ITSELF, CAUSING THE WASHER TO NOT FUNCTION. THE WASHER SWITCH WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER, HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 99V305001, WHICH PERTAINS TO THE WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 12/5/2006 - *NM
Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 2, 2006NY
1999 GALANT CLEAR COAT ON PLASTIC BUMPERS, HOOD, ROOF, TRUNK AND WINDOW ARCHES IS ALL PEELING, BLISTERING AND CRACKING. THIS IS MENTIONED BY NUMEROUS PERSONS WITH THE SAME YEAR CAR. I WAS TOLD UPON PURCHASE OF CAR (BEFORE PAINT HAD A PROBLEM) THAT 1999 WAS FIRST YEAR OF USING A "MERCEDES" MANUFACTURED PAINT. MITSUBISHI CLAIMS CONSUMERS ARE AT FAULT FOR VARIOUS CHEMICAL CLEANING PRODUCTS AND SUN/PARKING CONDITIONS. *JB
Structure › BodyCrash
Filed Jul 10, 2006TX
I OWN A GREEN 99 MITSUBISHI GALANT AND THE CLEAR COAT IS COMING OFF CAUSING MY CAR TO LOOK LIKE IT HAS ALLIGATOR SKIN IT STARTED ON THE ROOF AND HAS NOW SPREAD TO THE TRUNK AND HOOD. I CALLED MITSUBISHI TO SEE IF THEY HAD ANY COMPLAINS ABOUT THE PAINT AND I WAS TOLD NO. THE OPERATOR THEN ASKED WHAT STATE I LIVE IN AND WHEN I TOLD HER THAT I LIVE IN TEXAS, SHE TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD HAVE EXPECTED TO HAVE PAINT PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE BECAUSE THE TEXAS SUN IS SO HARSH. I HAVE ALSO BEEN INVOLVED IN 3 ACCIDENTS IN THE VEHICLE AND MY AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER DEPLOYED. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM KEEPING WHEEL COVER ON ALL IT TAKES IS A SLIGHT BUMP IN THE ROAD AND OFF THEY COME. THIS YEAR MODEL ALSO HAS MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE ROTORS WARPING. *JB
Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 30, 2006MO
ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, ABOVE THE REAR WHEEL, THE PAINT BEGAN TO BUBBLE AND EVENTUALLY RUST. THIS BEGAN APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASE. IT IS NOW RUSTING MORE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND THEY TOLD ME IT MUST HAVE HAD A BAD REPAIR JOB. HOWEVER, I RECENTLY SAW ANOTHER GALANT WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM IN THE SAME LOCATION. *JB
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: May 11, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.