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2005 problems

FaultScore report

2005 Mitsubishi Galant problems

Owners have filed 34 complaints about the 2005 Mitsubishi Galant with NHTSA between 2005 and 2024. The largest single group is the brakes. Across this model's run it ranks 14 of 18 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Mitsubishi Galant All 2005 cars

FaultScore 41/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Mitsubishi Galant.

How this is worked out

The numbers

Complaints

Crashes reported

Fires reported

Injuries reported

27,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

65%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

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 — 14: Against the median year of the Mitsubishi Galant. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 46: 8.8% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 100: 65% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2005 compares with every other Mitsubishi Galant

Click any bar to open that year's report.

6 9 7 20 32 78 43 11 284 296 200 110 69 296 183 211 175 167 68 34 37 31 9 23 12 7 11

86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2005 Mitsubishi Galant

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Body & Structure 6 17.6%

Median failure at 40,000 miles

Brakes 6 17.6%

Median failure at 11,334 miles

Lights 3 8.8%

Median failure at 27,000 miles

Tires 2 5.9%

Median failure at 85,297 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 2 5.9%

Median failure at 75,724 miles

Suspension 2 5.9%

Median failure at 150 miles

Steering 2 5.9%

Median failure at 12,000 miles

Airbags 2 5.9%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 139,208 mi

Electrical System 2 5.9%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 39,274 mi

Engine & Cooling 2 5.9%

Median failure at 27,000 miles

Other & Unspecified 1 2.9%

Equipment & Accessories 1 2.9%

Median failure at 27,000 miles

Seat Belts 1 2.9%

Median failure at 6,100 miles

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 1 2.9%

Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 2.9%

Median failure at 3,200 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 1 4.3%

1,000 – 9,999 miles 6 26.1%

10,000 – 24,999 miles 2 8.7%

25,000 – 49,999 miles 8 34.8%

50,000 – 74,999 miles 2 8.7%

75,000 – 99,999 miles 2 8.7%

100,000 – 149,999 miles 2 8.7%

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.

May 2005 peak 6 Dec 2024

Recalls on the 2005 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

08V454000 9 Sep 2008

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING 45,988 MY 2005-2007 ENDEAVOR, GALANT, ECLIPSE COUPE, AND MY 2007 ECLIPSE SPYDER VEHICLES. THE BRACKET THAT IS THE ATTACHMENT POINT FOR THE LEFT REAR FUEL TANK MOUNTING STRAP MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY FORMED DURING A METAL STAMPING PROCESS. THE PROCESS MAY HAVE CAUSED THE METAL TO HAVE A SPLIT IN THE AREA WHERE THE BOLT THAT HOLDS ONE OF THE TWO FUEL TANK STRAPS TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS LOCATED. IN THE EVENT THE FUEL TANK IS FULL AND THE VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO A SEVERE COLLISION, THE BRACKET MAY BREAK AND ALLOW THE FUEL TANK TO DROP DOWN, POSSIBLY CAUSING A FUEL LEAK.

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

08V276000 20 Jun 2008

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING 73,000 MY 2004-2006 GALLANT PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING VEHICLE USE, THE IGNITION KEY INTERLOCK CABLE (WHICH IS A COMPONENT OF THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM) MAY ALLOW THE INTERLOCKING CAM TO FALL FORWARD AND ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN THE GEARSHIFT MECHANISM IS NOT IN THE PARK POSITION.

Risk: IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT SHIFT TO PARK BEFORE REMOVING THE KEY AND FAILS TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

05V409000 15 Sep 2005

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, WHICH CONTROLS THE FLUID PRESSURE TO THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES, MAY ALLOW BRAKE FLUID TO BYPASS INTERNALLY DURING STOPPING.

Risk: THIS MAY RESULT IN A PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING, INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES, AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2008374 10 Oct 2008 2,366 units in Canada

Other

On certain vehicles, the bracket that is the anchor point for the left rear fuel tank mounting strap may have been improperly formed during the manufacturing process. This may have caused the metal to spilt in the area where the bolt holds the fuel strap to the underside of the vehicle. In the event the tank is full of fuel and the vehicle is involved in a serious collision the bracket could break and the tank could drop down. This situation could result in a fuel leak and the possibility of a fire. Correction: Dealers will inspect and if necessary install a reinforcement cap to the fuel tank bracket.

Recall 2008264 28 Jul 2008 1,907 units in Canada

Other

On certain vehicles, the ignition key interlock cable may allow the interlocking cam to fall forward and allow the ignition key to be removed from the ignition when the gearshift mechanism is not in the PARK position. If the driver does not shift to PARK before removing the key, and fails to engage the parking brake, the vehicle could roll and a crash could occur. This could result in property damage, personal injury or death. Correction: Dealers will affect repairs.

Recall 2005268 16 Sep 2005 122 units in Canada

Brakes

On certain vehicles, the brake master cylinder was improperly assembled which can result in reduced braking pressure and increase brake pedal stroke. Should this condition occur, the braking distance required to stop the vehicle will increase and may lead to a vehicle crash. Correction: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Filed 27 Sep 2016 Seffner, FL Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 MITSUBISHI GALANT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CHEST, BACK, AND NECK. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TOWING FACILITY. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10909971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 22 Dec 2007 at 72,150 miles Manchester, NH Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

MY CAR WOULD NOT START AT ALL. AFTER IT BEING TOWED TO A GARAGE, THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM TO BE THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS. IT WAS CHAFING AGAINST THE ENGINE AND CAUSING A SHORT. WHEN THEY REPLACED ALL THE FUSES THE CAR SPARKED AND SMELLED OF SMOKE WITH SMALL FLAMES BY THE FUSE BOX. THE MECHANIC ENDED HAVING TO REPLACE THE HARNESS. BUT SAID THAT THIS MAYBE A UNIVERSAL PROBLEM AS MY CAR IS ONLY A 2005 MITSUBISHI GALANT. OF COURSE IT HAS 72,000 MILES SO IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY.

NHTSA complaint #10212548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Filed 21 Dec 2024 Long Beach, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Seems struts, shocks, cadallytic converter are bad

NHTSA complaint #11631948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 21 Dec 2024 Long Beach, CA

SUSPENSION

Seems struts, shocks, cadallytic converter are bad

NHTSA complaint #11631948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 2 Oct 2018 at 115,000 miles Woodlyn, PA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI GALANT. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, AN ODOR OF FUEL WAS DETECTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, A LEAK WAS DETECTED UNDER THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRACKET UNDER THE FUEL TANK. SPRINGFIELD MITSUBISHI (313 BALTIMORE PIKE, SPRINGFIELD, PA 19064, (484) 574-8434) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V454000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA complaint #11132862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 21 Mar 2018 at 94,594 miles Davisburg, MI

TIRES

LAST WEEK FRI MAR. 16, 2018, I DROVE MY 2005 MITSUBISHI GALLANT ES CAR INTO WORK. ON MY WAY, I HEARD A POP SOUND FROM THE CAR. THEN A VERY LOUD CAR NOISE AND FELT RATTLING, AND THE CAR DRIVE WAS NOT A SMOOTH ONE. I FIGURED IT WAS A FLAT TIRE. I WAS ENTERING THE I75 HIGHWAY. ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY, I PULLED ACROSS 3 LANES TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. THIS WAS 7 AM AND DARK, AND ALSO DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC SO LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY. I DROVE ABOUT A FEW SECONDS ON THE SHOULDER, STOPPED THE CAR, AND PARKED THERE. I COULD SMELL BURNING METAL. I THEN CALLED AAA AND THE SERVICE DRIVER CAME AND CHANGED THE FLAT TIRE. THIS WAS NOT A SIMPLE PUNCTURED CAR TIRE. THE MICHELIN CAR TIRE HAD EXPLODED - THE CAR TIRE HAD COME OFF THE RIM. AFTER THIS EXPLODING CAR TIRE INCIDENT, I AM EMOTIONALLY SHAKEN AND SCARED. TO THINK THAT I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED, AND NOT BE HERE TODAY BECAUSE OF A POSSIBLE DEFECTIVE TIRE. OR I COULD HAVE SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES, OR CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY. NOTE: 1.I PURCHASED THE 4 SETS OF TIRES FROM COSTCO ON DEC. 20, 2016, AND THE ODOMETER READING WAS 125,597 KM; AND RIGHT NOW, THE ODOMETER READING IS ABOUT 151,350 KM, THEREFORE THESE 4 SETS OF TIRES HAD ONLY BEEN DRIVEN 25,753 KM OR 25,753 KM / 1.60934 KM/MILE = 16,002 MILES OVER IN ABOUT 15 MONTHS. 2.THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY FROM CANADA, THEREFORE IT READS IN KM INSTEAD OF MILE. 3.I HAVE TAKEN PHOTOS OF THE EXPLODED TIRE WHICH COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE RIM. I CAN SEND THOSE PHOTOS TO YOU ANYTIME. 4.I WILL BE GOING TO COSTCO TO REPLACE THE TIRE THIS WEEK, I THINK COSTCO WILL WANT TO KEEP THE EXPLODED TIRE, SHOULD I GIVE IT TO COSTCO?

NHTSA complaint #11080785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 27 Sep 2016 Seffner, FL Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

NHTSA complaint #10909971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 14 Jan 2014 Fontana,, CA

STRUCTURE:BODY

ABOUT 1YR. AGO PAINT STARTED FADING DEALER DID NOT HELP ME, WHAT CAN I DO.

NHTSA complaint #10559984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 11 Sep 2013 at 139,208 miles Miami, FL

AIR BAGS

GOOD MORNING, I PURCHASED MY 2005 MITSUBISHI GALANT ES IN JUNE OR JULY OF 2005 WITH APPROXIMATELY 1,400 MILES AND FOR THE PASTED FEW WEEKS I'VE NOTICE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS RISING/SEPARATING MORE AND MORE OF THE DASHBOARD EXACTLY ABOVE THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT SILVER TRIMMING. I CONTACT THE MITSUBISHI DEALER (866-346-0796) ON SEPT. 10, 2013 WHERE I MY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND EXPLAINED TO THEM IN DETAIL THE PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. THE SERVICE WRITER ASKED FOR THE LAST EIGHT DIGIT OF THE VEHICLE VIN # WHICH I PROVIDED. THE SERVICE WRITER PULLED UP THE HISTORY IN HIS COMPUTER AND ADVISED ME THAT THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT. I WAS VERY SURPRISED BY HIS ANSWER AND TOLD HIM I WILL CONTACT MITSUBISHI CORP. OFFICE TO FIND A RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM BEFORE IT GET WORST. AND FOR THE RECORD I'VE PREVIOUSLY OWNED TWO MONTERO MITSUBISHI SUV.

NHTSA complaint #10543014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 13 Feb 2012 Danvers, IL

STRUCTURE:BODY

PAINT IS COMING OFF EVEN THOUGH IT IS PROPERLY CARED FOR, GARAGED ETC. THIS IS A KNOWN PAINT ISSUE AND I'M WANTING IT FIXED.. NO ONE WILL BUY THIS VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION. OWNED SINCE NEW IN 2005.

NHTSA complaint #10447816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 18 Jan 2012 Peblo, CO

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHEN BEING DRIVEN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND HAD IT TEST DRIVEN. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE TORQUE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AXLE WAS TOO TIGHT AND CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

NHTSA complaint #10444408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 16 Jun 2011 at 60,000 miles Derry, NH

STRUCTURE

I HAVE A 2006 MITSUBISHI GALANT THAT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND ONLY HAS 65K MILES ON THE ODOMETER. IT A BLACK GALANT AND THE PAINT IS FADING IN SPOTS, IT LOOKS LIKE OXYDATION IS SETTING IN, I'VE TRIED OVER THE COUNTER POLISHES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM TO NO AVAIL. THIS IMHO, IS A PAINT DEFECT AND I FEEL THAT MITSUBISHI SHOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE CAR LOOKS LIKE LIKE CRAP NOW AND I AM NOT LIKELY TO PURCHASE ANOTHER GALANT IF THIS IS NOT REMEDIED.

NHTSA complaint #10407186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 11 Dec 2009 Rosenberg, TX

STRUCTURE

I HAVE A BLACK 2005 MITSUBISHI GALANT. WITHIN THE PAST YEAR THE PAINT HAS BEEN FADING BY TURNING A OFF WHITE IN SOME AREAS AND IT IS SPREADING LIKE CANCER. I EVEN HAVE A SPOT THAT IS GETTING RUSTED. I AM NOT SURE WHAT TO DO BUT THERE NEEDS TO BE A PAINT RECALL. I NEED MY PAINT FIXED PLEASE BEFORE IT SPREADS EVERYWHERE. I HAVE THREE CHILDREN AND AM NOT ABLE TO PURCHASE A NEW CAR AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10295399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 26 Sep 2009 at 40,000 miles Monrovia, CA

STRUCTURE:BODY

BLACK PAINT ON CAR IS COMING OFF DESPITE PROPER CARE AND GARAGE.

NHTSA complaint #10285305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 7 Oct 2008 at 76,000 miles Pittsield, MA

TIRES

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE VEHICLE HAS MASTERCRAFT A/S IV STEEL BELTED RADIAL TIRES, SIZE P225/70R15. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DROP DOWN. HE MANEUVERED ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND DISCOVERED THAT THE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE ALL THE WAY AROUND. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

NHTSA complaint #10244603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 16 Sep 2008 Santa Paula, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MY 2005 GALANT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING BRAKE PROBLEMS I REPORTED IT TO MITSUBISHI DEALER BEFORE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG JUST A GLAZE. I FINALLY TOOK IT SOMEWHERE ELSE TO GET THE BRAKES DONE THEY REPLACED THE PADS 2 WEEKS LATER THE BRAKES STARTED MAKING NOISE SINCE THEN I HAVE TAKEN THEM BACK FOR THE SAME PROBLEM OVER AND OVER AGAIN ALL THEY TELL ME, ITS A GLAZE BUT THE NOISE GETS LOUDER. THE ENGINE ALSO MAKES A CLICKING NOISE THAT DOESN'T SOUND RIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #10242437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 16 Sep 2008 Santa Paula, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

NHTSA complaint #10242437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 27 Aug 2008 Fort Howard, MD

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

THERE IS A RECALL ON CERTAIN 2005 GALANTS BUT I WAS TOLD NOT MINE. I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKES AS THE RECALL STATES. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER AND TOLD THE FIRST TIME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. THE SECOND TIME THEY ORDERED A TIMING PART BUT I FEEL THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM. I GO TOMORROW TO HAVE THE PART PUT ON. I FEAR FOR MY SAFETY WITH THESE MALFUNCTIONING BRAKES. THEY MAKE A TERRIBLE GRINDING NOISE AND MY CAR LURCHES FORWARD ABOUT 4 INCHES AND IS ONLY GETTING WORSE. I ASKED JUST BECAUSE MY CAR ISN'T IN THE RECALL IT DOESN'T MEAN I AM NOT HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. HOW LONG DO I NEED TO RIDE AROUND IN A CAR WITH DAMAGED BRAKES BEFORE THE PROBLEM IS CORRECTED. I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT YET AND WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED SO I DON'T END UP IN ONE.

NHTSA complaint #10240000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 21 Jan 2008 at 27,000 miles Miami, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

BRAKE FAILURE WHEN YOU STOP THE BRAKES SCRUB I HAVE RECEIPTS SHOWING THAT THE I HAVE TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THE BRAKE INSPECTED AND ALSO HAVE TO SLAM VERY HARD WHEN TRYING TO STOP THE CAR. THE NOISE WHEN YOU ARE STOPPING THE CAR IS VERY LOUD AND CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD NOTHING THEY CAN DO DUE TO NO WARRANTY. ALSO, THERE IS NO SIGNAL INDICATING WHEN THE CAR NEEDS OIL, NO CHECK ENGINE COMES ON, FRONT LIGHTS BLEW A WEEK AFTER BUYING THE CAR AND REPLACE IT SEVERAL TIMES AND CONTINUE TO BLOW, THE SAME BRAKE LIGHT BLEW AGAIN AND CONTACT MITSUBISHI AND ASK THEM ABOUT IT AND THEY TOLD THEY WILL CHARGE ME TO FIX IT. WHEN PULLING UP THE BRAKE IN THE CAR NO LIGHT INDICATING THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT IS ON. MY FAN FOR THE AC STOP WORKING AND NOW WHEN I DRIVE I CAN HEAR THE AC SOUNDS LIKE IT IS GOING TO BLOW WHEN YOU TURN IT ON.