46 of the
167 complaints about the 2003 Mitsubishi Galant are about the
glass, mirrors and wipers — 28% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
71,673 miles.
D
46
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Heater Core
2145.7%
Visibility
919.6%
Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
817.4%
Electrical Heating Element
48.7%
Windshield Wiper/Washer
12.2%
Power Window Devices AND Controls
12.2%
Linkages
12.2%
Visibility/Wiper
12.2%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers across every Mitsubishi Galant year
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.
NHTSA complaint #10618612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesMilford, OH
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10560747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 128,000 milesMilton, FL
VISIBILITY/WIPER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10523697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Slatersville, RI
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10424373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Windsor Mill, MD
VISIBILITY
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.
NHTSA complaint #10369597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,600 milesApple Valley, MN
VISIBILITY
THE HEATER CONTROL VALVE BEGAN MAKING CLICKING NOISES ABOUT A MONTH AGO IN MY 2003 MITSUBISHI GALANT V6 LS. THE CAR HAS ONLY 59,000 MILES ON IT. THEN THIS MORNING WITH OUTSIDE TEMPERATE OF 41 DEGREES HERE IN MINNEAPOLIS THE HEAT WOULD NOT TURN ON. THE HEATER CONTROL VALVE IS NOW STUCK IN THE COLD MODE. I HAD TO DRIVE MY 2 YEAR OLD TO DAY CARE IN A COLD CAR. THE REPLACEMENT COST BY THE DEALER IS $1000. THE INTERNET FINDING SHOWS MOST GALANT OWNERS HAVE HAD FAILED HEATER CONTROL VALVE. THIS CAN PUT DRIVERS IN UNSAFE SITUATIONS BECAUSE WE CAN NOT DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD WHEN ITS COLD OUTSIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10360226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesBoise, ID
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
2003 GALANT ES. V-6 MOTOR. HAD TO REPLACE HEATER CONTROL VALVE DUE TO NO HEAT. CLICKING NOISE FROM TIME TO TIME THEN NOTHING AS WELL AS NO HEAT. NO SOONER DID I REPLACE THAT AND THEN HEAT SELECTOR QUIT WORKING. CAN NOT CHANGE FROM VENTS TO DEFROST. MECHANIC SAID HEATER BOX WARPED AND COST ABOUT 2500.00 TO FIX THIS. NOW PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE RADIATOR BURST OPEN ON THE FRONT SIDE. ABOUT A 4 INCH OPENING JUST TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF CAP IF YOU ARE FACING THE CAR. MECHANIC HAS SAID ALL OF THIS IS VERY COMMON IN THESE CARS AND MITSUBISHI SHOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING TO TAKE CARE OF THESE PROBLEMS AS EVERY GALANT MADE HAS HAD SAME ISSUES..
NHTSA complaint #10356713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milwaukee, WI
VISIBILITY
I HAVE A 2003 GALANT AND MY HEATER HAS FAILED THERE IS AIR BLOWING BUT IT'S NOT HOT. WHEN I TURN THE DIAL FROM COLD TO HOT IT WAS MAKING A RATTLING SOUND WHICH I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE IN THE VENT AREA, THINKING MAYBE IT WAS JUST NOT TURNING. COME TO FIND OUT IT'S THE HEATER CORE AND IT'S OVER $500 TO REPAIR. I THINK THIS IS RIDICULOUS I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE DATING BACK TO 2006 AND I BELIEVE THAT MITSUBISHI SHOULD RECALL THIS PROBLEM AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY.
NHTSA complaint #10287416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
White Mills, PA
VISIBILITY
FOR A WHILE THE AC AND HEATER FAN HAS BEEN MAKING A "RUBBING" SOUND WITHIN THE DASHBOARD IN MY 2003 MITSUBISHI GALANT. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE HEAT IN THE CAR HAD TOTALLY STOPPED WORKING. AS IT GETS COLDER OUTSIDE, THE WINDSHIELD FOGS AND WITHOUT HEAT, THERE IS NO WAY TO DEFROST IT CAUSING INABILITY TO SEE CLEARLY THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THIS PROBLEM CAN OBVIOUSLY LEAD TO CAR ACCIDENTS. THE PART HAS NOT YET BEEN REPLACED BUT IS CURRENTLY BEING LOOKED INTO.
NHTSA complaint #10286264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesGreensboro, NC
VISIBILITY
THE PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT A YEAR AGO. THE CONSTANT RATTLING SOUND BEHIND THE DASHBOARD WHEN YOU FIRST TURN ON THE HEAT. AFTER ABOUT 10-15 SECS IT STOPS. THEN EVENTUALLY THE RATTLING SOUND STOPS COMPLETELY WHEN YOU TURN ON THE HEAT AND SO DOES THE HEAT AND THE DEFROSTER. I LOST HEAT THE FIRST TIME BACK AROUND DECEMBER OF 2008. IT CAME BACK ON WITHIN TWO WEEKS AND STAYED ON DURING THE WINTER. AROUND THE FIRST OF MAY, I LOST HEAT AGAIN AND IT HAS NOT BEEN BACK ON SINCE.
NHTSA complaint #10272409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesCorona, CAFire
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 MITSUBISHI GALANT. IMMEDIATELY, AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE THE POWER WINDOW CONTROL MECHANISM WAS ACTIVATED IN THE DOWNWARD POSITION ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THERE WAS A STRONG BURNING SMELL AND A CRACKLING NOISE. SMOKE AND SMALL FLAMES EXPELLED FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR PANEL. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITHOUT INJURY. HE DID NOT NOTIFY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR PANEL EXHIBITED SEVERE DAMAGE FROM THE FLAMES. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AND THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #10266457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesIndianapolis, IN
VISIBILITY
THE BEGINNING OF THIS WINTER SEASON, NOV 2008 MY CAR BEGAN TO MAKE ODD NOISES FROM THE DASH BOARD WHEN I ENGAGED THE HEATER/DEFROSTER. I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT NUMEROUS OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MAKE/MODEL HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. IN THIS ECONOMY, IF MITSUBISHI WANTS TO CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO SELL CARS, IT SHOULD GAIN THE TRUST AND RESPECT OF IT'S CURRENT OWNERS BY COMPENSATING FOR THE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS THEY HAVE WITH THE MITSUBISHI GALANT.
NHTSA complaint #10258738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesPennsville, NJ
VISIBILITY
MY HEAT DID NOT WORK ONE DAY. AND ONLY WORKS RANDOMLY WHEN IT WANTS TO. THE PROBLEM IS THE HEATER CONTROL VALVE, WHICH IS EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE. THOUSANDS OF MITSUBISHI OWNERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THE CAR IS PRACTICALLY NEW (2003).
NHTSA complaint #10252082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,000 milesDover, NH
VISIBILITY
2003 MITSUBISHI GALANTE HEATER CONTROL MOTOR HAS BROKEN, WITH NO HEAT BEING AVAILABLE TO THE CAR. APPARENTLY THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS HAPPENED TO MANY, MANY PEOPLE, AND I'M ANOTHER OF THESE UNLUCKY FOLKS.
NHTSA complaint #10243314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I JUST BOUGHT A 2003 MITSUBISHI GALANT AND THE HEATER CONTROL MOTOR HAS GONE BAD. IT'S GOING TO COST ABOUT $450.00 TO GET IT FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #10229886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesRichmond, VA
VISIBILITY
HEAT STOPPED WORKING. TURNED THE HEAT ON ONE DAY AND IT THERE WAS A RATTLING SOUND. WHEN YOU TURN THE HEAT ON IT BLOWS OUT COLD AIR. THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO FIX ITSELF THEN IT STARTED AGAIN IN THE BEGINNING OF WINTER 07 AND NOW HAS STOPPED AGAIN (MAY 2008). DEFROSTER ALSO DOES NOT WORK. WHEN I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE HEATER COIL WHICH IS STRANGE B/C USUALLY CARS ARE MUCH OLDER BEFORE THE HEATER COIL GOES OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10229111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 69,000 milesLouisville, KY
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
MY 2003 MITSUBISHI GALANT HAS A FAILED HEATER CONTROL MOTOR. IT STARTED GOING BAD OVER A YEAR AGO (CLICKING NOISES ON ACTUATION) AND HAS FINALLY STOPPED WORKING ALTOGETHER. IT IS STUCK ON 'COLD' AND DOES NOT SWITCH OVER TO HEAT UNDER ANY CONDITIONS. ON RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, IT SEEMS MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. THE VOLUME OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND RELATIVELY HIGH EXPENSE OF FIXING THE PROBLEM ON CARS THAT AREN'T THAT OLD SEEMS TO INDICATE A FAULT IN THE DESIGN OF THIS MECHANISM. A RECALL BY MITSUBISHI WHICH WOULD COVER THE COSTS OF REPAIR SHOULD BE ISSUED.
NHTSA complaint #10227212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesWatkinsville, GA
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
FALL OF 2007 I FLIPPED FROM AC TO HEAT. THERE WAS CLICKING INSIDE THE DASH AND IT FINALLY SWITCHED OVER. HAD TO SWITCH BACK TO AC ON WARM DAY AND THE CLICKING WAS THERE AGAIN AND IT EVENTUALLY WENT FROM HEAT TO COLD. FINALLY I FLIPPED IT BACK A WEEK OR TWO AGO ON A COLD MORNING, NO CLICKING AND NO HEAT AT ALL. I'VE REACHED UNDER THE DASH PUSHING THE WHITE LEVER BACK AND FORTH THINKING MAYBE IT WAS JUST THE CABLE THAT'S STRETCHED BUT THAT'S NOT THE CASE. I TOOK THE WHITE LEVER OFF (JUST 1 SCREW) AND TURNED THE LITTLE GEAR BY HAND. CLOCKWISE IS TO COLD AND WHEN IT GETS ALL THE WAY IT STOPS. COUNTER-CLOCKWISE IS HEAT AND WHEN I GET TO THE END IT CLICKS LIKE THE EARLIER CLICKING LIKE IT'S STRIPPED OUT SOMEWHERE IN THE DASH. THERE'S A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE INTERNET AND I BELIEVE ONE OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINT ON THIS SITE. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A SUBJECT FOR RECALL THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD COMPENSATE ITS CUSTOMERS FOR.
NHTSA complaint #10222729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A 2003 MITSUBISHI GALANT, AND I HAVE DONE RESEARCH THOROUGHLY ON THE MITSUBISHI AND IT SEEMS THAT THIS CAR WAS MADE TO HAVE A FAILURE IN THE HEAT ASSEMBLY. ACTUALLY, MY HEAT IS NOT WORKING AND EVERYONE SAY IT IS THE MOTOR THAT IS INSIDE THE DASH. THIS SHOULD NOT GO BAD, IS THERE ANYTHING THAT COULD BE DONE SO I WOULD NOT BE SPENDING SO MUCH MONEY FOR THIS REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10219353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,673 milesSolon, OH
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT
HEATER IN CAR STOPPED WORKING DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE CONTROL MOTOR MR958603.
NHTSA complaint #10218742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,000 milesPalm BAY, FL
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT
HEATER MOTOR CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AND FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM IN MITSUBISHI GALANT'S AND I FEEL THEY SHOULD REPLACE THE PART.
NHTSA complaint #10218076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,000 milesArdmore, OK
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
IT STARTED WITH A CLICKING NOISE WHEN I TURNED THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB FROM COLD TO HOT. NOW THE HEATER ONLY BLOWS COLD AIR. THIS HAPPENED IN A MATTER OF 2 DAYS. THE WINDSHIELD FOGGED UP CREATING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I LIVE IN A TOWN WHERE NOBODY WANTS TO WORK ON A MITSUBISHI. LOOKS LIKE I'LL DRIVE 100 MILES TO GET IT FIXED. HOW MANY MORE HAVE TO BREAK BEFORE MITSUBISHI FIXES THEIR PROBLEM?
NHTSA complaint #10213828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A 2003 MITSUBISHI GALANT V6. IN THIS CAR I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE HEATING SYSTEM IN THE CABIN. IT SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE IN ALL 1999-2003 MODELS. PLEASE LET MITSUBISHI MOTORS OF AMERICA KNOW ABOUT IT AS ITS VERY COMMON IN THESE PARTICULAR MODELS. PLEASE REFER TO THE LINK HTTP://WWW.MITSUBISHI-FORUMS.COM/T11076-NO-HEAT.HTM AGAIN OVERALL, MITSUBISHI ARE VERY GOOD CARS.
NHTSA complaint #10213030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HEATER CONTROL VALVE LOCKS UP AND MAKES THE VEHICLE UNABLE TO HEAT UP. THE FACTORY PART IS VERY POORLY DESIGNED AND LEADS TO PREMATURE FAILURE AND A VERY PRICEY REPAIR BILL.
NHTSA complaint #10211527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WE HAVE A 2003 MITSUBISHI GALANT AND AFTER ONLY 3 WINTERS THE HEATING CORE HAS GONE OUT. THIS IS RIDICULOUS!! ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS CAR HAS EXTENDED COOLANT AND NOTHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO THIS CAR FOR AT LEAST 5 YEARS. THE AUTO REPAIR SERVICE I USED REPLACED THE HEATING CORE ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE HEATER CONTROL MOTOR VALVES WERE NOT OPENING UP WHICH CAUSED THE HEATER CORE TO GO BAD. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING THE MITSUBISHI DEALER WHERE THE PARTS CAME FROM KEEP THESE IN STOCK BECAUSE THIS IS HAPPENING QUITE FREQUENTLY IN THESE CARS. THIS IS $1400 WORTH OF PARTS AND LABOR. THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY NOT HAPPEN TO A CAR THAT IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD.
NHTSA complaint #10209528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY WIFE'S 2003 MITSUBISHI GALANT'S HEATER FAILED LAST YEAR. WE HAD THE HEATER CONTROL MOTOR REPLACED. IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN THIS YEAR. I CAN'T SEE SPENDING 400 DOLLARS ONCE A YEAR TO FIX THE HEATER.
NHTSA complaint #10208650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A 2003 MITSUBISHI GALANT WITH PROBLEMS WITH THE HEATER CONTROL MOTOR, FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THERE HAVE BEEN AN EXUBERANT AMOUNT OF THESE HAVING THIS ISSUE AND IT SHOULD BE RECALLED BY MITSUBISHI SEEING THEY CHARGED 22,000 FOR THIS CAR AND IT IS NOW ONLY WORTH 3000.
NHTSA complaint #10207910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.