2003 Mitsubishi Galant

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.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE RESTRICTED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN A LEAK IN THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.

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

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP PRESSURE. THOSE VEHICLES EXHIBITING HIGHER THAN NORMAL FUEL PUMP PRESSURE WILL RECEIVE FUEL PUMP MODIFICATIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN DECEMBER 3, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037 OR MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-800-981-0452.

Check engine light suddenly came on and the vehicle lost all engine power and driving capabilities while driving at a low speed, turning a corner. There had been no other issues or indication of a failure of any kind. The car was pulled over on the roadside out of traffic and was able to be restarted with no problem. It was taken to a nearby auto parts store where they performed a free diagnostic check. The result that came back was generally regarding a vacuum issue in fuel system or lines. The gas cap lid and door were checked for proper closure and it was established they had been closed and sealed properly at the time the engine power failure occurred.

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR QUIT ON ME WHEN I WAS DRIVING IT

FREQUENT CLOGGING OF A/C DRAIN AND DRAINAGE INTO DRIVER SIDE FOOT HOLD. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS UNABLE TO CLEAN DRAIN TUBE AT THIS POINT. THE CAR IS NOT PARKED UNDER OR NEAR TREES.

THE HORN WHICH IS PART OF THE AIRBAG STAYED ON WHEN I USED MY KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTE TO LOCK THE CAR. I HAD TO HIT THE HORN BUTTON IN THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE IT STOP. THE HORN ONCE AGAIN BECAME STUCK THE NEXT DAY WHEN I HONKED MY HORN ON THE FREEWAY TO PREVENT A CAR FROM COLLIDING WITH ME AS THEY TRIED TO SWITCH LANES. I COULD NOT GET THE HORN TO SHUT OFF THIS TIME AND HAD TO PULL OVER TO PULL OUT THE FUSE. I PLUGGED IN THE FUSE WHEN I ARRIVED HOME AND THE HORN CAME RIGHT BACK ON. I THEN USED A RUBBER MALLET TO TAP AROUND THE HORN BUTTON AND STEERING WHEEL WHICH FINALLY STOPPED THE HORN. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AS MY HORN WILL NOW NOT SOUND AT ALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE DEFROSTER FAILED TO ACTIVATE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO USE THE TEMPERATURE CONTROLS AND SUDDENLY THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE DEFROSTER, A/C, OR HEATER WAS ACTIVATED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY WAS IMPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

AIR BAGS DIDN'T COME OUT WHEN ACCIDENT OCCURRED, THERE IS SMOKE COMING FROM EXHAUST NOT SOMETHING IS EATING THE GAS UP THERE IS LEAKAGE COMING FROM ENGINE, OIL, AND RADIATOR (UNKNOWN AREAS). *TR

APRIL 11, 2014 I WAS TRAVELING UP 85 NORTH TO ATLANTA BETWEEN 9:30 PM & 10:00PM. JUST OUTSIDE OF MACON COUNTY ON MILE MARKER 45 THERE WAS A CAR SPEEDING IN THE WORK ZONE WHERE SIGNS WERE UP SAYING UNLEVELED ROAD. I EXCHANGED LANES TO THE RIGHT SIDE WHICH WAS THE PAVED SIDE AND CAME NEAR THE BRIDGE AND HIT A HARD BUMP WHICH MADE MY CAR HOP UP AND SLAM DOWN HARD. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND STOP BECAUSE MY TIRES WERE SMOKING. MY STRUT BOTTOMED OUT AND WAS SITTING ON MY TIRE MAKING IT NOT DRIVABLE BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE RUBBING AGAINST THE STRUT. TWO OTHER CARS HIT THE SAME BUMP INCLUDING THE STATE TROOPER THAT CAME TO ASSIST ME. I CALLED MY INSURANCE BUT THE COULDN'T PINPOINT WHERE I WAS. SO I ENDED UP CALLING THE STATE TROOPER AND HAD TO PAY OUT OF THE POCKET FOR TOWING BACK TO MONTGOMERY. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OR CONES IN THE ROAD TO NOTIFY THAT THERE WAS A ROUGH BUMP IN THE ROAD. I NEED HELP WITH THIS CAUSE I SPENT MONEY ON THIS DAMAGE AND FEEL USELESS BECAUSE OF A BUMP THAT DISABLE MY ONLY CAR FOR WORK. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE HEAT CONTROL MODULE WAS ACTIVATED BUT COLD AIR BEGAN TO CIRCULATE OUT OF THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

AFTER REPLACING FRONT/REAR BRAKE PADS, CALIPERS, AND ROTORS PLUS APPLYING THE PROPER LUBRICANT BRAKES NOT ONLY STILL SQUEAL BUT I AM HAVING OCCASIONAL GRINDING MAINLY COMING FROM THE FRONT DISC. HAVE HAD THEM INSPECTED BY MULTIPLE MECHANICS. THEY SAID EVERYTHING LOOKED FINE. DIAGNOSIS HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED NOT ONLY BY MECHANICS BUT APPARENTLY BY MITSUBISHI. THIS IS MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION AFTER JUST HAVING TO LEASE THIS VEHICLE TO FIND OUT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE THAT HAS NOT HAD ATTENTION FROM MITSUBISHI. I HAVE ALWAYS OWNED AMERICAN MADE VEHICLES BECAUSE OF TOO MANY FEARS FROM FOREIGN MANUFACTURES. I CHOSE THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE MITSUBISHI HAS GREAT DESIGNS. AS FOR PRODUCING A RECALL FOR THIS VERY KNOWN PROBLEM. IT SEEMS LIKE PRODUCING THIS RECALL WOULD ONLY PUT MITSUBISHI FURTHER IN DEBT. IF HONOR IS WHAT YOUR CULTURE LIVE BY, THEN HONOR THIS MISTAKE BEFORE MANY LIVES ARE LOST. *TR

I STARTED MY CAR IN THE AFTERNOON, THEN I TURNED ON MY RADIO 3 MINUTES LATER. THEN, I SMELLED LIKE SOMETHING BURNT, THAT'S WHEN I SAW SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER SEAT DOOR. I STOPPED IN A RANDOM TIRE SHOP TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON. A FEW MINUTES LATER, I SAW FIRE COMING OUT OF THE LOUDSPEAKER ON THE FRONT RIGHT DOOR. A GUY FROM THE TIRE SHOP HELPED ME TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. AFTER I MADE SURE THAT IT WAS SAFE ENOUGH FOR ME TO DRIVE, I DROVE MY CAR TO MY REGULAR AUTO SHOP TO GET IT CHECKED. THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR WAS MELTED (HALFWAY MELTED, BECAUSE THE FIRE WAS HANDLED EARLY) AND BLEW THE FUSE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING AT 33 MPH ON A MAIN STREET WHEN CAR ON MY RIGHT GOES THROUGH STOP SIGN AND DRIVES INTO MY CAR. HE HIT THE FRONT OF MY CAR NEAR, BUT NOT INCLUDING, THE PASSENGER DOOR. AFTER IMPACT (HE NEVER BRAKE) HE CONTINUED TO MOVE MY CAR WITH HIS THEREBY FOLDING THE FRONT OF MY CAR IN HALF, TAKING OFF FRONT WHEELS, FENDERS AND BUMPER, GAS TANK (SMOKING BUT NOT ON FIRE), AND MOVING MY CAR TWO LANES TO THE LEFT VIA IMPACT AND PUSH. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER'S DOOR, MINE, WOULD NOT OPEN. SEAT BELT PULLED IN VERY TIGHT. IMPACT SLAMMED MY CHEST, KNEE AND ANKLE. FRACTURED STERNUM, CUTS AND BRUISES ON LEG AND FOOT. BACK PAIN AT SITE OF CRASH. COULD NOT WALK UP AMBULANCE STEPS. HOSPITAL STAY 2 DAYS WITH MULTIPLE TESTS. DRS. VISITS REQUIRED THIS WEEK, ONE DAY AFTER RELEASE. CAR TOTALED. PHYSICAL THERAPY AND PAIN MANAGEMENT PUT INTO PLACE UPON HOSPITAL DISCHARGE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VENTS AFTER SWITCHING THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE FROM COLD TO HOT. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE HOT AIR FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000. *TR

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER LEFT /RIGHT FRONT SIDE TIRES ARE DISFUNCTIONAL WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE I HERE THE BEARINGS POPPING AND THE TIRES ALSO DIS FUNCTIONAL AND THE THIS CAR IS BURNING A LOT OF OIL THE DEALER SHIP WHERE I'M BUYING IT FROM SAID EVERYTHING WAS WORKING FINE THE CAR WAS WELL TAKING CARE OF THE BELT ON THE CAR IS CRACKED IT HASN'T HAD A TUNE UP AT ALL THE AIR CONDITIONER ISN'T BLOWING OUT COLD AIR. *TR

ABOUT A YEAR AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE IN 2007, THE PAINT BEGAN TO WEAR OFF. IT STARTED CHALKING AND CHIPPING AND I'VE NOTICED PRETTY MUCH EVERY MITSUBISHI I SEE ON THE ROAD HAS THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS RIDICULOUS THAT THEY ARE ALLOWED TO PUT OUT SUCH CARS AND BE NEGLEGENT ON THE PAINT JOB. WE ALL PAY GOOD MONEY FOR THESE AND MITSUBISHI ONLY RECALLED THE "BLACK PAINT" THEY NEED TO RECALL THEM ALL BECAUSE ALL OF THEM ARE IN HORRIBLE SHAPE. MITSUBISHI NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.!!!!!!! I SHOULDNT HAVE TO PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO GET MY CAR PAINTED...IT SHOULDNT EVEN NEED PAINTED YET. I'LL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER. *TT

TURNED HEAT ON AND HEARD A RATTELING NOISE UNDER DASH, WHEN HEAT CAME ON NOISE STOPPED. TURNED HEAT ON A WEEK LATER, NOTHING, ONLY COLD AIR. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SAYS HEATER CORE, AFTER REPLACING THERMOSTAT AND COOLANT SENSOR. DEALERSHIP SAYS HEATER CONTROL VALVE, EITHER WAY, WITH SEEING HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME THING, THERE IS CLEARLY A PROBLEM AT THE MANUFACTURING LEVEL. MAYBE MITSUBISHI SHOULD LOOK AT DOING SOMETHING LIKE ACCEPTING FULL RESPONSIBILITY AND REPAIRING THESE CARS. WITH THE ECONOMY WHAT IT IS THERE ARE FEW PEOPLE WHO ARE ABLE TO AFFORD THIS EXPENSE, MYSELF INCLUDED. SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP US! WHY SHOULD THE CONSUMER ALWAYS GET THE SHORT END OF THE STICK? *TR

I PURCHASED MY 2003, MITSUBSHI, GALANT 1 1/2 YEARS AGO AND I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE PAINT FADING ON THE DOORS AND THE HOOD OF THE CAR. AFTER 1 YEAR OF HAVING THE CAR IT STARTED TO FADE. MY CAR IS A BLACK MITSUBSHI AND WITH THIS BEING A BLACK CAR THE FADING REALLY STANDS OUT. *KB

IN THE LATE WINTER OF 2011 MY CAR HEATER BEGAN TO MAKE STRANGE NOISES THEN WOULD WORK FINE. SOON AFTER THAT HAPPENED, THE HEAT STOPPED WORKING. ONLY COLD AIR WOULD PUSH THROUGH THE SYSTEM. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE AC IS NOT CONSIDERED A NECESSITY, BUT I BEG TO DIFFER ON HEAT, CONSIDERING OUR TECHNOLOGICAL STATE. A HEATER KEEPS WINDOWS DEFROSTED AND CLEAR OF HUMIDITY THAT WOULD OTHERWISE CLOUD VISION OR WORSE, COMPLETELY HINDER TOTAL VISIBILITY. THE IDEA OF HAVING HEAT IN A CAR SEEMS LIKE A LUXURY BUT, IN REALITY IT IS REALLY A BASIC DRIVING NEED. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE AS TO WHY A CONSUMER SHOULD PAY $20,000, BRAND NEW, FOR A CAR THAT'S HEATER IS ALL TOO OFTEN BROKE BEFORE 60,000 MILES. THE COST OF REPAIR CAN EASILY COST $1000, DUE TO THE LABOR. THERE HAVE BEEN ACCOUNTS OF THEM BREAKING AGAIN, ONE YEAR LATER. THE HEATER SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE RESEARCHED AND ADDRESSED IN THE 03' GALANTS. IT KEEPS THE WINDOWS CLEAR SO CONSUMERS CAN SAFELY DRIVE THEIR CAR. *TR

HEATER CORE IN 2003 GALANT HAS GONE OUT, WHICH MEANS NO HEAT IN VEHICLE. QUOTES FOR REPAIR ARE BETWEEN 900-1300, LABOR BEING 5-6 HOURS. I WAS TOLD THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON DEFECT IN THE GALANT. THERE WAS AN IDENTICAL VEHICLE AT THE REPAIR SHOP WITH EXACT SAME PROBLEM. FURTHER SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET REVEALS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM & SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A DEFECT THAT MITSUBISHI MOTORS SHOULD CONSIDER INVESTIGATING. *LN

HEAT STOPPED WORKING DUE TO A FAULTY HEAT CONTROL VALVE. FIRST IT STARTED MAKING A CLICKING NOISE AND NOW I HAVE NO HEAT AT ALL. *TR

I WAS WITH MY SON LEAVING A STORE, WHILE IT WAS 38 DEGREES OUTSIDE. AFTER WE GOT IN THE CAR AND I TURNED ON THE HEATER, IT BEGAN MAKING A FLUTTERING SOUND UNDER THE DASH AS IF THE VENTS WERE OPENING UP. WITH THE KNOB ALL THE WAY TO THE RED POSITION AND THE OTHER KNOB IN THE WINDOW DEFROST POSITION, I WAITED FOR THE WINDOWS TO DEFROST AND THE HEAT TO MAKE THE CAR WARM. THE WINDOWS NEVER DEFROSTED AND THE HEAT NEVER CAME ON. I HAD TO DRIVE HOME WITH THE WINDOW DOWN IN THE COLD, AND MY SON FREEZING IN THE BACK SEAT. I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS IS A VERY POPULAR PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR.