Owners have filed 43 complaints
about the 1992 Mitsubishi Galant with NHTSA between 1996 and 2009.
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
1445.2%
Transfer Case (4-WHEEL Drive)
722.6%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings
26.5%
Gasoline
26.5%
Module
26.5%
Engine
26.5%
Cables
13.2%
ARM
13.2%
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.
Apr 1996peak 8May 2009
NHTSA investigations into the 1992 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
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Deer Park, ILFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1992 MITSUBISHI GALANT CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *KB A NEW ENGINE HAD BEEN INSTALL 3000 MILES PRIOR TO THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10169101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Joesphe, MOCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH AND WAS HIT HEAD ON BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #846758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Germantown, MDFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE BATTERY CABLE, CAUSINGTHE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #808576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 133,582 milesChalmette, LA
SUSPENSION:REAR
I WAS DRIVING MY MOTHER-N-LAWS 1992 MITSUBISHI GALANT AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE CAR JUST STARTED TO SWERVE FROM RIGHT TO LEFT MAKING A WEIRD SCRAPPING SOUND MAKING ME THINK THE BRAKES WERE PROBABLY LOCKED UP. SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. AT FIRST I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE SMOKE KEPT COMING OUT EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS PARKED FOR MORE THAN 10 MINUTES. MY KID'S AND I WERE ALL AFRAID TO GO NEAR THE CAR. BUT THE SMOKE STARTED TO SUBSIDE AND I TOOK A CHANCE TO GO VIEW WHAT MAY BE THE PROBLEM. THE BRAKES WERE OKAY BUT I HAD SEEN SOME THICK OIL WITH SMALL GRAINS OF METAL IN IT PROTRUDING OUT FROM THE CENTER OF THE I GUESS WAS THE HEAD OF THE AXLE. I TOOK THE HUB CAP OFF TO GET A BETTER LOOK. I WAS ONLY FIVE MINUTES OR LESS FROM HOME AND TOOK A CHANCE TO DRIVE IT THERE....BUT WHEN I HAD ARRIVED AND TRIED TO PARK IT. THE WHOLE FRIGGIN TIRE CAME RIGHT OFF. I STARTED TO DO SOME INVESTIGATION AND FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINT SITES. SO NOW I AM HERE WRITING UP ONE AND TRYING TO SEE IF AT ALL ANYONE CAN HELP MY MOTHER-N-LAW GET HER CAR FIXED? PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT WE CAN DO TO SEE WHY THIS OCCURRED? I WAS SO AFRAID FOR THE LIVES OF MY KID'S AND OTHER'S AROUND ME. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT COULD OF HAPPENED TO US IF I NEVER HAD THE FEELING TO GET OFF OF THE INTERSTATE. DEBORAH... PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!!??? THANK YOU!!
NHTSA complaint #10269309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 133,582 milesChalmette, LA
TIRES
I WAS DRIVING MY MOTHER-N-LAWS 1992 MITSUBISHI GALANT AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE CAR JUST STARTED TO SWERVE FROM RIGHT TO LEFT MAKING A WEIRD SCRAPPING SOUND MAKING ME THINK THE BRAKES WERE PROBABLY LOCKED UP. SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. AT FIRST I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE SMOKE KEPT COMING OUT EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS PARKED FOR MORE THAN 10 MINUTES. MY KID'S AND I WERE ALL AFRAID TO GO NEAR THE CAR. BUT THE SMOKE STARTED TO SUBSIDE AND I TOOK A CHANCE TO GO VIEW WHAT MAY BE THE PROBLEM. THE BRAKES WERE OKAY BUT I HAD SEEN SOME THICK OIL WITH SMALL GRAINS OF METAL IN IT PROTRUDING OUT FROM THE CENTER OF THE I GUESS WAS THE HEAD OF THE AXLE. I TOOK THE HUB CAP OFF TO GET A BETTER LOOK. I WAS ONLY FIVE MINUTES OR LESS FROM HOME AND TOOK A CHANCE TO DRIVE IT THERE....BUT WHEN I HAD ARRIVED AND TRIED TO PARK IT. THE WHOLE FRIGGIN TIRE CAME RIGHT OFF. I STARTED TO DO SOME INVESTIGATION AND FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINT SITES. SO NOW I AM HERE WRITING UP ONE AND TRYING TO SEE IF AT ALL ANYONE CAN HELP MY MOTHER-N-LAW GET HER CAR FIXED? PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT WE CAN DO TO SEE WHY THIS OCCURRED? I WAS SO AFRAID FOR THE LIVES OF MY KID'S AND OTHER'S AROUND ME. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT COULD OF HAPPENED TO US IF I NEVER HAD THE FEELING TO GET OFF OF THE INTERSTATE. DEBORAH... PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!!??? THANK YOU!!
NHTSA complaint #10269309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Deer Park, ILFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1992 MITSUBISHI GALANT CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *KB A NEW ENGINE HAD BEEN INSTALL 3000 MILES PRIOR TO THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10169101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,000 milesHarrisburg, NC
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN 98V168000 CONCERNING THE TRANSFER CASE. RECALL REPAIRS WAS PERFORMED ON 10-20-03. IN NOVEMBER 2005 WITH ONLY 8000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE THE TRANSFER CASE BEGAN TO LEAK FLUID, AND ALL FOUR WHEELS LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOUSE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED, AND THEY TOLD HIM THEY WOULD CALL HIM BACK FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEE CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #10144334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,049 milesChicago, IL
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
DT: THE CONTACT STATES IN AUGUST 04 HE HAD H CAR INSPECTED AND IT PASSED INSPECTION, AND THEY TOLD HIM THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSFER CASE IN TRANSMISSION. HE HEARD THERE WAS A RECALL ON TRANSFER CASE, HE HAD IT CHECKED. ABOUT THREE DAYS AGO THE REAR WHEELS ON 1992 MITSUBISHI GALLANT LOCKED UP. HE HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, AND THEY ARE REFUSED TO DO RECALL REPAIRS BECAUSE THEY TOLD HIM THERE WAS A DRAIN PLUG MISSING FROM THE TRANSFER CASE. NEITHER THE PREVIOUS OWNER NOR THE CURRENT OWNER HAS EVER TOUCHED THE TRANSFER CASE.
NHTSA complaint #10137177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Davenport, IA
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 98V168000 CONCERNING TRANSFER CASE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE , BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10064649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 111,580 milesNEW Berlin, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
MY CAR HAD BEEN STALLING SINCE AUGUST 2003. THE FIRST TIME I BROUGHT IT INTO HAVE IT SERVICED AT FIRESTONE, THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. IN NOVEMBER 2003 MY CAR WAS STALLING AGAIN AND I LOST POWER DRIVING IT, AS THE CAR ENGINE SHUT OFF. I HAD BROUGHT MY CAR IN AGAIN TO A DIFFERENT FIRESTONE. I TRUST THE MECHANIC, I HAVE BEEN BRINGING MY CAR THERE FOR YEARS. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION CONTROL MODULE. I HAVE A MITSUBISHI GALANT 1992. ACCORDING TO FIRESTONE THERE HAS BEEN MANY OTHER MITSUBISHI CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS, BUT THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN RECALLED FOR ECM. A COMPANY IN TEXAS HAS DATA SHOWING OTHER ECM THAT HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THIS COMPANY IS: ECM TO GO AUTOMOTIVE COMPUTER SUPPLY, 2280 EAST MAIN SUITE B-7, LEAGUE CITY TEXAS 77573 1 888-326-8646. WHEN I HAD TO REPLACE THE ECM ON MY CAR IT WAS VERY COSTLY, $755.03 TOTAL. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO PLEASE INVESTIGATE WHY MITSUBISHI HAS NOT RECALLED ECM'S. THANK YOU, SANDRA PELLICORI.
NHTSA complaint #10053159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburg, CA
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS SMOKE CAME FROM THE REAR OF VEHICLE. INITIALLY THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY A DEALER THAT THE REAR TRANS AXLE SHOULD BE REPLACED. CONSUMER WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER TO GET A SECOND OPINION. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT VEHICLE WAS COVERED UNDER RECALL 98V168000 CONCERNING TRANSFER CASE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER, WHO REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10044617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburg, CA
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS SMOKE CAME FROM THE REAR OF VEHICLE. INITIALLY THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY A DEALER THAT THE REAR TRANS AXLE SHOULD BE REPLACED. CONSUMER WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER TO GET A SECOND OPINION. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT VEHICLE WAS COVERED UNDER RECALL 98V168000 CONCERNING TRANSFER CASE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER, WHO REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10044617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waukesha, WI
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED IN JAPAN (JULY 2000) AND IN FEBRUARY (2001) CITING SAFETY REASONS DUE TO THIS AND RELATED PROBLEMS. IT WAS NOT RECALLED IN AMERICA. WAITED ALL THESE MONTHS TO SEE IF IT WILL BE RECALLED. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN JAPAN, I FULLY EXPECTED TO SEE THIS VEHICLE IN MITSUBISHI'S RECALL EFFORT. CONTACTED THEM AT 1-888-648-782002 BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. THEY COULD NOT GIVE ME A NUMBER TO CONTACT AT MITSUBISHI AMERICA ON HOW TO GO ABOUT GETTING THIS SAFETY PROBLEM FIXED. THEREFORE CONTACTING NHTSA AS THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR WHICH VEHICLES HAVE BEEN RECALLED IN JAPAN DUE TO QUALITY CONTROL PROBLEMS. MR
NHTSA complaint #768522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Montgomery, AL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE WILL NOT START. HAD VEHICLE SERVICED THIS WAS A RESULT OFF THE MAIN COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE MALFUNCTIONING. HAD IT REPLACED PROBLEM REACCURED. MR
NHTSA complaint #8021134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warwick, RI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
BURNS OIL DIED RIGT ON HIGWAY NOW I OWN ANTHE R ONE ND IT DOES HE SAMETHING.
NHTSA complaint #756536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ortley Beach, NJ
POWER TRAIN
DEALER SAID THE RECALL WAS DONE, A LEAK CAN OCCUR AND POTENTIALLY LOCK UP ALL WHEELS AT ANY GIVEN SPEED. DUE TO INADEQUATE REPAIRS THIS PROBLEM STILL IS OCCURING.
NHTSA complaint #9003470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ortley Beach, NJ
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
THE DEALERS ARE NOT FIXING THE RECALL PROPERLY AND REFUSING YOU WHEN YOU GO BACK. THIS AFFECTS ALL AWD MITSUBISHI 1990'-1999. I AM IN NEED OF A NEW TRANSFER CASE (MITSU$1800) AND SUPPORTING YOKES AND SEALS AS DAMAGE RESULTS FROM LEAKING WHEN NOT PROPERLY FIXED AND CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE REAR WHEEL LOCKUP.*AK (TIRESIZE: 15)
NHTSA complaint #750782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wayne, PA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
RECALL 98V168001/TRANSFER CASE: WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY AT SPEED OF 55 MPH REAR WHEELS COMMENCED TO LOCK UP AND CAUSED STEERING TO BE UNCONTROLLABLE. LATER ON RECEIVING A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING TRANSFER CASE, DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #865546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Parker Heights, TX
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER IN REFERNCE TO RECALL NUMBER 98V168001, DEALER MADE, RECALL REPAIRS TO VEHICLE. CONSUMER IS CURRENTLY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSFER CASE, NEARLY LOCKING UP WHEN DRIVING. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED BOTH DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. BOTH REFUSED TO CORRECT RECALL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #851760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Antonio, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
OIL SEALS NEED REPLACING ABOUT EVERY TWO YEARS ST 75,000 MILES THEN AT 130,000 THEN AT 160,000. REPAIR IS $400-$500
NHTSA complaint #713094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Joesphe, MOCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH AND WAS HIT HEAD ON BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #846758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albany, OR
SEAT BELTS
MOTORIZED SEAT BELT CABLE FELL OFF THE TRACK, AND THE BELT IS DANGLING FROM THE HOOD OF CAR. SEATBELT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL.
NHTSA complaint #846881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kennewick, WA
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
OWNER BELIEVES VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE TRANSFER CASE LOCK UP RECALL FOR SIMILAR MODELS LIKE TALON AND ECLIPSE (98V069003).
NHTSA complaint #537675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, OH
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
TRANSFER CASE LEAKS.
NHTSA complaint #534823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hanover PA, IL
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR AND SOMETIMES FIRST GEAR. REVERSE WOULD ENGAGE ONLY AFTER GRINDING THE GEARS.
NHTSA complaint #540354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cape Coral, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT FAILED
NHTSA complaint #535890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boulder, CO
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
DEFECTIVE YOKE SEAL LOCATED WITHIN TRANSFER CASE WAS LEAKING, CAUSING WHEELS TO LOCK UP, WILL NOT TURN PRIOR TO RECALL 98V-069000.
NHTSA complaint #823243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toledo, OH
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
I FOUND THE CAR HAS A LEAKING TRANSFER CASE/YOKE ASSY. I BROUGHT THIS TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS ATTENTION. THEY INFORMED ME THEY ALL DO AND ALL YOU CAN DO IS REFILL IT AS IT GETS LOW. BUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE CLUB DSM I KNEW THIS TO BE FALSE, IN THAT IT IS POSSABLE TO SEAL THE LEAK SOME WHAT WITH RTV. AND I DID THIS MY SELF WITH SOME SUCCES ASS THE YOKE/TRANSFER CASE DID NOT LEAK AGAIN FOR ALMOST A YEAR, I HAVE TALKED TO THE SERVICE EPT. ABOUT HAVEING THE RECALL ON THIS THAT WAS ISSUED ON THE ECLIPSE MODELS AND WAS THEN INFORMED BY THE SAME SAID SERVICE DEPT THAT THE AWD GALANTS HAVE A DIFFERENT TRANSFERCASE/YOKE ASSY AND DO NOT LEAK. I THEN ASKED WHY I WAS TOLD PREVIOUSLY THAT THEY ALL HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND SHOULD JUST LIVE WITH IT.
NHTSA complaint #535087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.