Owners have filed 69 complaints
about the 1998 Mitsubishi Galant with NHTSA between 1998 and 2013.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 18 of 18 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 28
Against the median year of the Mitsubishi Galant. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 45
8.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1998 compares with every other Mitsubishi Galant
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.
Automatic Transmission
1132.4%
Pads
514.7%
Lower Ball Joint
411.8%
Rotor
411.8%
Disc
411.8%
Rotor
25.9%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator
25.9%
Body
25.9%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
17.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
428.6%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
214.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
642.9%
150,000+ miles
17.1%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA
rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that
ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do
not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
1998 Mitsubishi Galant 4-DR.
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—
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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.
Mar 1998peak 5Jan 2013
Recalls on the 1998 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
07E055000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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.
00V421001
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 135,000 milesFsoter City, CACrash1 injured
SUSPENSION:FRONT
LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT BROKE CAUSED MY CAR TO CRASH INTO A PARKED VEHICLE AS I WAS DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #10228904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,238 milesEvergreen, NCCrash1 injured
SUSPENSION
THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER HAD DIFFICULTY WITH THE STEERING WHICH ENDED UP ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD CRASHING INTO AN EMBANKMENT. 3 YEARS AFTER ACCIDENT, CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON LOWER BALL JOINTS THAT COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF STEERING. *LA THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WAS INJURED AND FEELS THAT THE DEALER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES. RECALL#00V421001.
NHTSA complaint #10060994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oceano, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WAS DRIVING 40MPH WHEN SMALL TRUCK IN FRONT STOPPED. NO REAR LIGHTS WERE SHOWING WHILE DRIVING. APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN. AFTER NOTICING THE RED TAIL LIGHTS, REARENDED SMALL TRUCK. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER WAS INJURED. VEHICLE IS REPAIRABLE ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #854097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 119,955 milesIssaquah, WA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON JAN. 9, 2013, WHILE I WAS BACKING UP MY MITSUBISHI GALANT 1998 (VIN # [XXX]) IN MY DRIVEWAY, I NOTICED THAT THE CAR STARTED MOVING ON ITS OWN AND I HAD TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. AFTER BACKING UP, WHEN I DROVE FORWARD, MY CAR SEEMED TO BE QUITE JUMPY AND WANTED TO LURCH FORWARDS. AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ABOUT HALF A MILE FROM HOME, WHILE I WAS STOPPED, I NOTICED THAT THE CAR STARTED MOVING FORWARDS. I IMMEDIATELY SLAMMED HARD ON THE BRAKE. THIS WAS EXTREMELY UNUSUAL AND SCARY. LATER WHILE GOING DOWN A HILL, I COULD SENSE THAT THE CAR WAS AGAIN QUITE JUMPY AND WANTED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. I STOPPED AT A SHOP FOR SOMETHING AND THEN WHEN I GOT BACK TO THE CAR AND TURNED ON THE ENGINE AGAIN, I NOTICED THAT THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT HAD JUST COME ON. I FELT THAT THE CAR WAS NOT SAFE AND HAD IT TOWED TO KLAHANIE CHEVRON IN ISSAQUAH, WA, VERY CLOSE TO MY HOUSE. I WAS LATER INFORMED BY THEM THAT THE ??IDLE CONTROL MOTOR?? FOR MY CAR WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND DUE TO THIS I WAS EXPERIENCING ALL THESE CAR ??JUMPINESS?? ISSUES. THE ??IDLE CONTROL MOTOR?? WAS REPLACED AND NOW THE CAR APPEARS TO BE RUNNING FINE. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN MORE THAN UP TO DATE WITH MY CAR MAINTENANCE. THE BEHAVIOR OF THIS CAR IN WHICH THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN IS DANGEROUS AND MITSUBISHI ENGINEERS SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS FOR POSSIBLE RECALL\REMEDIATION, SINCE THIS CAN GREATLY ENDANGER THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IN THE CAR AND ANYBODY ELSE SHARING THE ROAD AT THAT TIME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10493837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesEllensburg, WA
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NUT THAT HELD THE LOWER BALL JOINT BECAME LOOSE AND DETACHED, CAUSING THE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED THREE TIMES PRIOR FOR THE SAME EXACT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THE PART FOR A LIFETIME HOWEVER, THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE PART WOULD BECOME LOOSE VERY EASILY. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #10427210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 135,000 milesFsoter City, CACrash1 injured
SUSPENSION:FRONT
LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT BROKE CAUSED MY CAR TO CRASH INTO A PARKED VEHICLE AS I WAS DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #10228904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,200 milesWichita, KS
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS FOUND TO HAVE A PROBLEM UPON INSPECTION BY A MECHANIC.
NHTSA complaint #10166554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelpja, PA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE BLACK PAINT ON MY 1998 MITSUBISHI GALANT ES HAS WORN OFF IN AN A TYPICAL PATTERN. THE PAINT HAS COME OFF IN A GRID-LIKE FASHION - AS THOUGH A GIANT ACIDIC TIRE HAS ROLLED OVER IT. IT IS EFFECTING THE ROOF, HOOD AND TRUNK AREA OF THE CAR. I HAVE NOTICED OTHER MITSUBISHI GALANTS (AND ECLIPSES) OF THE SAME YEAR WITH SIMILAR PAINT PEELING PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10163181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,600 milesDurham, NC
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN YOU START THE CAR IT MAKES A LOAD NOISE UNTIL FULLY HEATED, AND THE TRANSMISSION IS PULLING AND MAKING NOISE, IT GETS STUCK IN GEAR AND WILL NOT MOVE TO NEXT GEAR, JUST STALLS AND THEN KICKS IN. FIRST IT WAS JUST SKIPPING GEARS FOR THE LAST FIVE DAYS SO I CHECKED THE FLUID IT ONLY COULD USE NOT EVEN A HALF OF COURT, I HAD NO WARNING LIGHT AT ALL UNTIL THE SIXTH NIGHT WHEN IT GOT STUCK IN GEAR AND STEERING TO CHANGE.
NHTSA complaint #10145140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lousiville, KY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE BLACK PAINT ON MY 1998 MISTUBISHI GALANT ES HAS WORN OFF IN AN A TYPICAL PATTERN. THE PAINT HAS COME OFF IN A GRID-LIKE FASHION - AS THOUGH A GIANT ACIDIC TIRE HAS ROLLED OVER IT. IT IS EFFECTING THE ROOF, HOOD AND TRUNK AREA OF THE CAR. I HAVE NOTICED OTHER MISTUBISHI GALANTS (AND ECLIPSES) OF THE SAME YEAR WITH SIMILAR PAINT PEELING PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10135749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 133,770 milesMemphis, TN
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED PRIOR TO CONSUMER RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE. *PH THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #10065311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,000 milesKenosha, WI
SEAT BELTS
NAR 05/21/2003 *MR THE CONSUMER SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT RETRACT PROPERLY. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10020365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,810 milesBaltimore, MD
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
IN NOVEMBER 2003, WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20 TO 25 MPH, FRONT PASSENGER TIRE FELL OFF, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT BALL JOINTS FAILED. IN APRIL 2004 CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER NOTICE CONCERNING BALL JOINT PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10067260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,810 milesBaltimore, MD
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
IN NOVEMBER 2003, WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20 TO 25 MPH, FRONT PASSENGER TIRE FELL OFF, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT BALL JOINTS FAILED. IN APRIL 2004 CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER NOTICE CONCERNING BALL JOINT PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10067260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,238 milesEvergreen, NCCrash1 injured
SUSPENSION
THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER HAD DIFFICULTY WITH THE STEERING WHICH ENDED UP ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD CRASHING INTO AN EMBANKMENT. 3 YEARS AFTER ACCIDENT, CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON LOWER BALL JOINTS THAT COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF STEERING. *LA THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WAS INJURED AND FEELS THAT THE DEALER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES. RECALL#00V421001.
NHTSA complaint #10060994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,987 milesLake Charles, LA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAR STARTED STALLING AT LOW SPEEDS, HAD TRANSMISSION FILTER CHANGED, FOUND A LOT OF METAL IN FLUID. DROVE CAR 500 MORE MILES BEFORE LOSING REVERSE AND OVERDRIVE. TRANSMISSION UNABLE TO RUN AT 71,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10051088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,000 milesBurnt Hills, NY
AIR BAGS
THE BEDDING ON THE DASH IS COMING OFF, INCLUDING THE BEDDING ON THE AIR BAG. I HAVE CALLED MITSUBISHI, THEY SAY A SERVICE PERSON WILL CALL ME BACK IN 72 HOURS AND THEY NEVER DO. MITSUBISHI MOTORS 1998 GALLANT.
NHTSA complaint #10037165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,000 milesBurnt Hills, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE BEDDING ON THE DASH IS COMING OFF, INCLUDING THE BEDDING ON THE AIR BAG. I HAVE CALLED MITSUBISHI, THEY SAY A SERVICE PERSON WILL CALL ME BACK IN 72 HOURS AND THEY NEVER DO. MITSUBISHI MOTORS 1998 GALLANT.
NHTSA complaint #10037165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burnt Hills, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY
MITSUBISHI GALANT 1998 - PADDED COVER OVER CONSOLE AND AIR BAG IS COMMING LOOSE, PROBABLY DUE TO POOR GLUE.IT MAY NOT BE SAFE, BUT I CANNOT GET MITSUBISHI TO FIX IT OR EVEN TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM. I DON'T THINK THEY WANT TO HEAR CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS.
NHTSA complaint #10033494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jamaica, NY
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE STRUT MOUNTS POPPED OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT WELDED PROPERLY BECAUSE THE FRAME SHOULD NOT BE TEARING EASILY.
NHTSA complaint #10030115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jamaica, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE STRUT MOUNTS POPPED OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT WELDED PROPERLY BECAUSE THE FRAME SHOULD NOT BE TEARING EASILY.
NHTSA complaint #10030115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,000 milesAcworth, GA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. WITH UNDER 20000 MILES ON THE CAR TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY MADE AN ADJUSTMENT AND IT WAS FINE. THEN, AT 76000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP IN TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint #10021483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fresno, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
IN JUNE OF 2002, AUTO TRANSMISSION SOLENOID PACK FAILED AT 74,000 MILES. WAS REPLACED BY AUTHORIZED REPAIR SHOP (NOT UNDER WARRANTY). SHOP FLUSHED TRANSMISSION AND FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN THE FLUID. LESS THAN ONE MONTH LATER (AUGUST 15, 2002) TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY AT 78,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION REPLACED COMPLETELY AT 78,000 MILES. DT
NHTSA complaint #768721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Little Rock, AR
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE FIRST DAY OF PURCHASE I NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. I ASKED THE SALESMAN WHAT THAT WAS HE TOLD ME THAT'S JUST THE WAY THE CAR RUNS. A FEW MONTHS LATER I WAS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I CALLED THE DEALER AND MADE A BIG STINK ABOUT IT AND THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN. I DID, THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY TRANSMISSION. I WAS STILL HAVING PROBLEMS AND TOOK IT TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. WHO DROPPED THE PAN AND FOUND METAL SHAVINGS, NOT A LOT. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, SO I TOOK IT BACK TO MY MECHANIC TO HAVE IT SERVICED AGAIN AND THIS TIME WHEN HE DROPPED THE PAN THERE WERE LARGE CHUNKS OF METAL. ONE LOOKED LIKE A GEAR HEAD. I THEN CALLED MY DEALER TO SEE WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT. THEY THEN TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD NO INFORMATION PROVING THAT I HAD A WARRANTY AND ALL THE TIME I DID. THEY TOLD ME TO CONTACT MITSUBISHI MOTORS TO GET MY WARRANTY INFORMATION, THE LADY THERE TOLD ME I DID HAVE A WARRANTY AND THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN DISPOSED OF AS A DEFECTIVE AUTOMOBILE. I AM NOW PERSUING LEGAL ACTION.
NHTSA complaint #763534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Charles, LA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THIS PART WAS NOT COVERED BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. I FOUND OUT TODAY THAT THIS WAS COVERED AT THE TIME THE DEALER TOLD ME IT COULDN'T BE REPAIRED UNDER THE WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #763402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indianapolis, IN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD, AND SUDDENLY VEHICLE STARTED TO STALL. MECHANIC STATED RADIATOR CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #8011321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indianapolis, IN
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE HAVING VEHICLE SERVICED MECHANIC NOTICED THEAT ENGINE WAS MALFUNCTIONING DUE TO DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS IN ENGINE. THIS CAUSED TRANSMISSION TO FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #8011323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indianapolis, IN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE HAVING VEHICLE SERVICED AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE, AND HAVING IT FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS MECHANIC NOTICED THAT OIL FILTER/BRACKETS WERE DAMAGED AND RIGGED FOR SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES. UNTIL VEHICLE WAS SOLD CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEM. DEALER STATED MALFUNCTION WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #8011322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.