Owners have filed 78 complaints
about the 1991 Mitsubishi Galant with NHTSA between 1995 and 2007.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Column Shift
1531.9%
Automatic Transmission
1225.5%
Axle Assembly
48.5%
Engine
48.5%
Transfer Case (4-WHEEL Drive)
36.4%
Pads
36.4%
Gasoline
36.4%
Module
36.4%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
116.7%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
466.7%
150,000+ miles
116.7%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 1995peak 10Nov 2007
NHTSA investigations into the 1991 Mitsubishi Galant
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
RQ98007Opened 11 May 1998Closed 28 Aug 1998POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSFER CASE LEAKAGE
THE TRANSFER CASE OF THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD), MITSUBISHI GALANT, ALLEGEDLY LEAKS OIL CAUSING ONE OR MORE WHEELS TO LOCKUP; OR THE INABILITY TO TRANSMIT ENGINE POWER TO THE DRIVE WHEELS.THE VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME TRANSFER CASE DESIGN AS THE ECLIPSE VEHICLES WHICH HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME ALLEGED DEFECT.
EA98002Opened 30 Jan 1998Closed 30 Apr 1998WHEELS
TRANSFER CASE LOCKUP
EA95004Opened 10 Mar 1995Closed 1 Aug 1995SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
Recalls on the 1991 Mitsubishi Galant
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
98V168000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ALL WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Chesapeake, VACrash
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
FRONT AXLES FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #485812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canastota, NYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE STALLED AND DRIVER COASTED TO SIDE/PARKING LOT. WENT TO MAKE CALL CAME BACK AND VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
NHTSA complaint #961881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Margate, NJ
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM OFF AND ON SINCE 1997 HAVE PUT IN THREE ECM COMPUTERS WHY WAS THIS PROBLEM NEVER ADDRESSED BY MANUFACTURER CHECK OUT THIS SITE -HTTP://WWW.90GSX.COM/ECLIPSE/CAP/CAPS.HTM ALONG WITH OIL LEAKAGE RECALL OF 97-98 WHICH I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF & JUST FOUND OUT WITH MY CAR LEAKING OIL EVERY WARE & NOW POWER STEERING LEAKAGE FROM STEERING KNUCKLE SPINDLE ARM THAT WAS RECALLED IN JAPAN 2001 BUT NOT HERE ! HELP
NHTSA complaint #10210185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 199,000 milesAustin, TX
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILURE TO SHIFT TO THIRD GEAR AFTER REPLACING TRANSMISSION WITH OTHER UNIT LESS THAN A YEAR AGO. ( APRIL 2005) MAKES A LOUD BANG WHEN DOWNSHIFTING TO 1ST GEAR UPON STOPPING.
NHTSA complaint #10151227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eastaboga AL., AL
POWER TRAIN
PURCHASED A VEHICLE AT EASTABOGA AUTO SALES. DROVE THE CAR FOR 1 DAY THE TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING UP I TOOK IT BACK TO WHERE I BOUGHT IT HE TOLD ME TO DRIVE IT A COUPLE OF DAYS BECAUSE HE HAD JUST PUT A NEW MOTOR IN IT AND IT HAD BEEN SITTING UP FOR ABOUT 8 MONTHS TO DRIVE IT AND LET EVERYTHING GET BROKEN IN.SO THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO DRIVE IT AND IT WOULDNT MOVE . SO IT SIT IN MY YARD FOR ANOTHER DAY. FINALLY IHAD TO HAVE MY HUSBAND PUSH ME TO GET IT BACK TO WHERE I BOUGHT IT .HE SAID HE'D FIND A TRANSMISSION SO NOW HE WANTS ME TO PY $900.00 TO FIX IT AND ALL I WANT HIM TO DO IS GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK BECAUSE HE HAS THE CAR. BUT HE REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING. WHAT AM I SUPPOSE TO DO?
NHTSA complaint #10070552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesSilver Spring, MD
POWER TRAIN
RIGHT BOOT HAS SELF DESTRUCTED FOR THE THIRD TIME (THE FIRST TIME WAS AROUND 35000 & I WAS TOLD THEY SHOULD BE GOOD FOR AT LEAST 60000 - THE LEFT ONE WAS). LEFT BOOT HAS ONLY HAD TO BE REPLACED 1 TIME (AROUND 65000)& WAS NOT AS BADLY DAMAGED AS THE RIGHT HAS BEEN EVERY TIME. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM & WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT. COMPUTER CHIP DIED AROUND 95000 EVEN THOUGH I WAS TOLD IT WOULD LAST LONGER. FRIEND'S MITSUBISHI CHIP DIED ALSO BUT IT WAS AT 120000. REPAIR SHOP STATED THEY HAVE HAD MANY MITSUBISHI COMPUTER CHIP PROBLEM CARS BROUGHT IN - MOST PEOPLE JUNK THE CAR BECAUSE IT'S SO EXPENSIVE TO FIX. I HAD TO REPLACE A WORN BELT ("GOOD FOR 60000") AT 25000. GEAR SHIFT CABLE BROKE A FEW MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR (NEW). ARE THESE PROBLEMS OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD?
NHTSA complaint #10070668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesSilver Spring, MD
SUSPENSION
RIGHT BOOT HAS SELF DESTRUCTED FOR THE THIRD TIME (THE FIRST TIME WAS AROUND 35000 & I WAS TOLD THEY SHOULD BE GOOD FOR AT LEAST 60000 - THE LEFT ONE WAS). LEFT BOOT HAS ONLY HAD TO BE REPLACED 1 TIME (AROUND 65000)& WAS NOT AS BADLY DAMAGED AS THE RIGHT HAS BEEN EVERY TIME. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM & WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT. COMPUTER CHIP DIED AROUND 95000 EVEN THOUGH I WAS TOLD IT WOULD LAST LONGER. FRIEND'S MITSUBISHI CHIP DIED ALSO BUT IT WAS AT 120000. REPAIR SHOP STATED THEY HAVE HAD MANY MITSUBISHI COMPUTER CHIP PROBLEM CARS BROUGHT IN - MOST PEOPLE JUNK THE CAR BECAUSE IT'S SO EXPENSIVE TO FIX. I HAD TO REPLACE A WORN BELT ("GOOD FOR 60000") AT 25000. GEAR SHIFT CABLE BROKE A FEW MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR (NEW). ARE THESE PROBLEMS OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD?
NHTSA complaint #10070668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesSilver Spring, MD
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
RIGHT BOOT HAS SELF DESTRUCTED FOR THE THIRD TIME (THE FIRST TIME WAS AROUND 35000 & I WAS TOLD THEY SHOULD BE GOOD FOR AT LEAST 60000 - THE LEFT ONE WAS). LEFT BOOT HAS ONLY HAD TO BE REPLACED 1 TIME (AROUND 65000)& WAS NOT AS BADLY DAMAGED AS THE RIGHT HAS BEEN EVERY TIME. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM & WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT. COMPUTER CHIP DIED AROUND 95000 EVEN THOUGH I WAS TOLD IT WOULD LAST LONGER. FRIEND'S MITSUBISHI CHIP DIED ALSO BUT IT WAS AT 120000. REPAIR SHOP STATED THEY HAVE HAD MANY MITSUBISHI COMPUTER CHIP PROBLEM CARS BROUGHT IN - MOST PEOPLE JUNK THE CAR BECAUSE IT'S SO EXPENSIVE TO FIX. I HAD TO REPLACE A WORN BELT ("GOOD FOR 60000") AT 25000. GEAR SHIFT CABLE BROKE A FEW MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR (NEW). ARE THESE PROBLEMS OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD?
NHTSA complaint #10070668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,500 milesCarriere, MS
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL
REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF BOTH FRONT AXLES IN 1991 MITSUBISHI GALANT AFTER ONLY 55,577 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10037239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,090 milesDavis, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
I WANT TO FILE A COMPLAIN ABOUT THE ECU FAILURE OF MY 91 MITSUBISHI GALANT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED THREE YEARS AGO. RECENTLY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE ERROR CODE SHOWED A BAD BAROMETRIC PRESSURE SENSOR. I REPLACED IT AND COULDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. A SHOP REPLACED IT AGAIN AND THE ERROR CODE WAS STILL THERE. THEY FINALLY DIAGNOZED A BAD ECU. I HAVE HEARD A LOT OF COMPLAINS ABOUT THE EARLY 90S MITSUBISHI GALANT ECU AND HAVE KNOWN AT LEAST TWO OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. ONE OF MY FRIENDS HAD THE SAME CAR BEFORE, AND THE CAR WAS TOTALLY DEAD ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE OF THE ECU FAILURE. FORTUNATELY HE WAS NOT INJURED. HOWEVER, IT'S DEFINITELY A SEVERE ISSUE. I KNOW ANOTHER GUY HAS THE SAME CAR WHEN I AM DOING THE REPAIR. HE HAD A BAD ECU TOO. I AM WONDERING IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED SIMILAR COMPLAINS REGARDING THE ECU.
NHTSA complaint #10020629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eden, NC
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE HAD A RECALL DONE ON VEHICLE REGARDING TRANSFER CASE A FEW YEARS AGO. CURRENTLY, PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED AGAIN. TRANSFER CASE WILL LOCK UP WHILE CONSUMER IS DRIVING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.AK
NHTSA complaint #8019181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
York, PA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
OVERDRIVE FLUID IS LEAKING, ABOUT A YEAR AGO THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER TO GET RECALL REPAIRS DONE, BUT ALL DEALER DID WAS TAKE A LOOK AT VEHICLE. THEN, DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT LEAKING. THEY DID NOT REPLACE ANYTHING. CURRENTLY, THEY DO NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.*AK RECALL CAMPAIGN 98V16800.
NHTSA complaint #8009700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manteca, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THERE WAS FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER 98V16800 FOR TRASNFER CASE. HE IS STILL HAVING PROBLEM SINCE RECALL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE.
NHTSA complaint #8009154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Asheville, NC
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION ALL FOUR WHEELS LOCKED UP. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER, TECHNICIAN STATED TRANSFER CASE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #896428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warwick, RI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CAR WHILE DRIVING STARTS IDLING AND THEN STARTS CLICKING INSIDE AND THE SHUTS OFF THEN STARTS RIGHT BACK UP AGAIN ALSO BURNS OIL.
NHTSA complaint #752067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
York, ME
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION IS COLD AND CONSUMER STEPS ON BRAKES, TRANSMISSION WON'T DOWNSHIFT FROM A HIGH SPEED. VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING STRAIGHT THROUGH A LIGHT. SOMETIMES, THERE'S A LOUD BANG WHEN STOPPING.*AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #889777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
MY 1991 MITSUBISHI GALANT STALLED WHILE DRIVING 3 TIMES OVER 3 MONTHS. ONE DAY, THE CAR WOULDN'T START AFTER DRIVING IT TO WORK. THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT WAS REPLACED IN A SHOP. THE CAR THEN HAD SEVERE HARD IDLING PROBLEMS. THE SERVO WAS THEN REPLACED. THE IDLING PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED AND IS STILL PRESENT. NOW THE CAR HAS TROUBLE STARTING WITH A BRAND NEW COMPUTER.
NHTSA complaint #741881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
MY 1991 MITSUBISHI GALANT STALLED WHILE DRIVING 3 TIMES OVER 3 MONTHS. ONE DAY, THE CAR WOULDN'T START AFTER DRIVING IT TO WORK. THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT WAS REPLACED IN A SHOP. THE CAR THEN HAD SEVERE HARD IDLING PROBLEMS. THE SERVO WAS THEN REPLACED. THE IDLING PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED AND IS STILL PRESENT. NOW THE CAR HAS TROUBLE STARTING WITH A BRAND NEW COMPUTER.
NHTSA complaint #741881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
River Dale, IL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN IT IS VERY SLUGGISH AND DOES NOT PICK UP SPEED, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #882465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Knoxville, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A NO START CONDITION ABOUT EVERY 4 DAYS. DEALER HAS REPLACED BATTERIES 4 TIMES, AND TOOK COMPUTER OUT, AND WAS SENT TO HOUSTON, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE, AND WAS NOT WILLING TO HELP CONSUMER.
NHTSA complaint #881099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Knoxville, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A NO START CONDITION ABOUT EVERY 4 DAYS. DEALER HAS REPLACED BATTERIES 4 TIMES, AND TOOK COMPUTER OUT, AND WAS SENT TO HOUSTON, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE, AND WAS NOT WILLING TO HELP CONSUMER.
NHTSA complaint #881099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alexandria, LA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER IS REQUESTING THAT RECALL 98V168 BE COMPLETED ON VEHICLE, THE DEALER IS CHARGING FOR PARTS THAT THE CONSUMER FEELS ARE NOT NEEDED AND ONLY WANTS THE RECALL REPAIR DONE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #553848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richmond, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
THE VEHICLES MAIN COMPUTER HAS BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE IS ALSO EXPERIENCING CRONIC ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHTS, RADIO AND ALARM. NLM
NHTSA complaint #553769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alexandria, LA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE RECALL REPAIR (98V-168) COULD NOT BE COMPLETED UNTIL THEY FIXED A TRANSMISSION LEAK WHICH WOULD COST $500. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #553607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alexandria, LA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TIMING BELT FAILED. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #553607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Live OAK, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
EXCESSIVE BRAKE FLUID LEAK. DEALER HAS REPLACED BRAKES THREE TIMES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #868379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kansas City, KS
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #724437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.