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FaultScore report

2009 Mitsubishi Galant problems

Owners have filed 23 complaints about the 2009 Mitsubishi Galant with NHTSA between 2008 and 2024. The largest single group is the airbags. Across this model's run it ranks 11 of 18 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Mitsubishi Galant All 2009 cars
C

FaultScore 51/100

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

How this is worked out

The numbers

23

Complaints

3

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries reported

47,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

47%

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.

Complaint volume 9 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 80 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 9
Against the median year of the Mitsubishi Galant. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
26.1% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 80
47% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2009 compares with every other Mitsubishi Galant

Click any bar to open that year's report.

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

What breaks on a 2009 Mitsubishi Galant

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

Airbags 10 43.5%

3 crashes, 0 fires · median 93,461 mi

Body & Structure 4 17.4%

Median failure at 17,281 miles

Wheels 3 13.0%

Median failure at 35,000 miles

Tires 2 8.7%

Median failure at 8,000 miles

Other & Unspecified 1 4.3%

Median failure at 55 miles

Seat Belts 1 4.3%
Brakes 1 4.3%

Median failure at 35,000 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 1 4.3%

Median failure at 35,000 miles

When it fails

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

Under 1,000 miles 3 17.6%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 1 5.9%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 5 29.4%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 2 11.8%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 3 17.6%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 2 11.8%
150,000+ miles 1 5.9%

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.

Dec 2008 peak 3 Jan 2024

Complaints that involved harm

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

at 130,000 miles Charlotte, NC 1 injured

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2009 Mitsubishi Galant. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the front driver's side air bag deployed inadvertently and struck the contact’s face and chest. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact immediately slammed on the brake pedal and then pulled into a parking spot. The contact stated there was no collision before the air bag deployment. The contact stated that she sustained pain in the face and on the chest but did not seek medical assistance. The dealer was contacted and advised the contact to cut the air bag off the steering wheel and to take the vehicle to their location. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive because the seat belt was inoperable after the air bag had been deployed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #11565746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Springfield, MO Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 MITSUBISHI GALANT. WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, HE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS HEAD AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. ADDITIONALLY, ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2017, WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED SOFT TISSUE AND SPLEEN INJURIES, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO OZARK CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 1020 N 18TH ST, OZARK, MO 65721) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUSPENSION AND BODY NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO AN ATTORNEY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #11072397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 68,000 miles Valdosta, GA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

I WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED, WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHEN A CAR BARRELLED UP BEHIND ME AND HIT ME FROM BEHIND. THE IMPACT CAUSED MY CAR TO BE THROWN INTO THE LANE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC, AND ANOTHER CAR HIT ME HEAD-ON. MY CAR WAS BEING TOSSED AROUND LIKE A TIN CAN. WHEN IT FINALLY CAME TO A STOP, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TRYING TO DEPLOY THE AIRBAG, BUT IT NEVER INFLATED. BUT, SMOKE AND FUMES WERE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. I THOUGHT IT WAS ABOUT TO EXPLODE OR CATCH ON FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10653238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 47,000 miles Harrisburg, PA Crash

AIR BAGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAGS. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 47,000.

NHTSA complaint #10360983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

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

at 130,000 miles Charlotte, NC 1 injured

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2009 Mitsubishi Galant. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the front driver's side air bag deployed inadvertently and struck the contact’s face and chest. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact immediately slammed on the brake pedal and then pulled into a parking spot. The contact stated there was no collision before the air bag deployment. The contact stated that she sustained pain in the face and on the chest but did not seek medical assistance. The dealer was contacted and advised the contact to cut the air bag off the steering wheel and to take the vehicle to their location. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive because the seat belt was inoperable after the air bag had been deployed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #11565746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ben Wheeler, TX

SEAT BELTS

Shannon bell private dealer is selling this car with a unrepairable cv axel. I purchased it and di my home work he rolled the miles back. He's falsely advertising it as clean tie and 190 something miles. That's even less then when I had it. Air bag lights are on and he unplugged the wires along with seatbelt so the lights don't show.

NHTSA complaint #11520188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ben Wheeler, TX

AIR BAGS

Shannon bell private dealer is selling this car with a unrepairable cv axel. I purchased it and di my home work he rolled the miles back. He's falsely advertising it as clean tie and 190 something miles. That's even less then when I had it. Air bag lights are on and he unplugged the wires along with seatbelt so the lights don't show.

NHTSA complaint #11520188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ben Wheeler, TX

WHEELS

Shannon bell private dealer is selling this car with a unrepairable cv axel. I purchased it and di my home work he rolled the miles back. He's falsely advertising it as clean tie and 190 something miles. That's even less then when I had it. Air bag lights are on and he unplugged the wires along with seatbelt so the lights don't show.

NHTSA complaint #11520188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 220,000 miles Fort Worth, TX

AIR BAGS

SRS LIGHT LIGHT IS ON AFTER REPLACING AIRBAGS

NHTSA complaint #11362470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Springfield, MO Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 MITSUBISHI GALANT. WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, HE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS HEAD AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. ADDITIONALLY, ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2017, WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED SOFT TISSUE AND SPLEEN INJURIES, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO OZARK CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 1020 N 18TH ST, OZARK, MO 65721) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUSPENSION AND BODY NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO AN ATTORNEY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #11072397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 96,923 miles Dallas, TX

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DON HARRING MITSUBISHI DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,923.

NHTSA complaint #10991790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 96,923 miles Dallas, TX

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DON HARRING MITSUBISHI DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,923.

NHTSA complaint #10991790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Norfolk, VA

AIR BAGS

MY SRS LIGHT IS ON

NHTSA complaint #10898437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 72,000 miles Pensacola, FL

AIR BAGS

MY MITSUBISHI SRA LIGTH CAME ON.

NHTSA complaint #10883783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Springfield, MO

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO COLLISION. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED A FRONT BUMPER DAMAGE THEREFORE THE SENSOR WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10819480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55 miles Corpus Christi, TX

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 60 MILES PER HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY AROUND 3:00 PM ON A WEEKDAY AND MY SUNROOF JUST SHATTERED INTO THOUSANDS OF PIECES, IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT WHEN IT BROKE. I SWERVED INTO THE NEXT LANE, NOTHING HAPPENED BUT THIS INCIDENT COULD OF BEEN A LOT WORSE. AT THE TIME NO ONE ELSE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY SO IT COULDN'T HAVE BEEN A ROCK OR SOMETHING ELSE THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN AND REGARDLESS OF THE TRIPLE DIGIT SUMMER TEXAS WEATHER THE GLASS WAS SUPPOSE TO BE HEAT TEMPERED. I HAD TO PULL OVER BECAUSE CHUNKS OF GLASS STARTED TO FLY OFF AND WAS HITTING THE BACK OF MY TRUNK, SCRATCHING THE PAINT JOB.

NHTSA complaint #10749877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55 miles Corpus Christi, TX

STRUCTURE:BODY

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 60 MILES PER HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY AROUND 3:00 PM ON A WEEKDAY AND MY SUNROOF JUST SHATTERED INTO THOUSANDS OF PIECES, IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT WHEN IT BROKE. I SWERVED INTO THE NEXT LANE, NOTHING HAPPENED BUT THIS INCIDENT COULD OF BEEN A LOT WORSE. AT THE TIME NO ONE ELSE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY SO IT COULDN'T HAVE BEEN A ROCK OR SOMETHING ELSE THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN AND REGARDLESS OF THE TRIPLE DIGIT SUMMER TEXAS WEATHER THE GLASS WAS SUPPOSE TO BE HEAT TEMPERED. I HAD TO PULL OVER BECAUSE CHUNKS OF GLASS STARTED TO FLY OFF AND WAS HITTING THE BACK OF MY TRUNK, SCRATCHING THE PAINT JOB.

NHTSA complaint #10749877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 68,000 miles Valdosta, GA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

I WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED, WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHEN A CAR BARRELLED UP BEHIND ME AND HIT ME FROM BEHIND. THE IMPACT CAUSED MY CAR TO BE THROWN INTO THE LANE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC, AND ANOTHER CAR HIT ME HEAD-ON. MY CAR WAS BEING TOSSED AROUND LIKE A TIN CAN. WHEN IT FINALLY CAME TO A STOP, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TRYING TO DEPLOY THE AIRBAG, BUT IT NEVER INFLATED. BUT, SMOKE AND FUMES WERE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. I THOUGHT IT WAS ABOUT TO EXPLODE OR CATCH ON FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10653238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Norfolk, VA

WHEELS

I PURCHASED MY CAR BRAND NEW BACK IN DEC OF 2008. NOT EVEN THREE YEARS LATER, THREE (3) OF THE FOUR (4) TIRES HAVE SEVERE CRACKING WHERE THE TREAD MEETS THE SIDEWALL. THE ONLY REASON THE FOURTH TIRE WASN'T DAMAGED THE SAME WAY IS I HAD A NAIL STUCK IN THE SIDEWALL PRIOR THE FIRST TIRE FAILURE AND HAD TO REPLACE IT, SO I CAN ONLY ASSUME IT WOULD HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES. I HAD A SLOW LEAK AND NOTICED THE CRACKING ON ONE OF THE TIRES WHEN FILLING WITH AIR. THE MECHANIC WAS THE ONE WHO POINTED OUT THE OTHER TIRE STARTING TO CRACK THE SAME WAY. TONIGHT I NOTICED THE THIRD TIRE (LAST ORIGINAL TIRE) ALSO HAD THE SAME CRACKING.

NHTSA complaint #10449510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Norfolk, VA

TIRES

I PURCHASED MY CAR BRAND NEW BACK IN DEC OF 2008. NOT EVEN THREE YEARS LATER, THREE (3) OF THE FOUR (4) TIRES HAVE SEVERE CRACKING WHERE THE TREAD MEETS THE SIDEWALL. THE ONLY REASON THE FOURTH TIRE WASN'T DAMAGED THE SAME WAY IS I HAD A NAIL STUCK IN THE SIDEWALL PRIOR THE FIRST TIRE FAILURE AND HAD TO REPLACE IT, SO I CAN ONLY ASSUME IT WOULD HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES. I HAD A SLOW LEAK AND NOTICED THE CRACKING ON ONE OF THE TIRES WHEN FILLING WITH AIR. THE MECHANIC WAS THE ONE WHO POINTED OUT THE OTHER TIRE STARTING TO CRACK THE SAME WAY. TONIGHT I NOTICED THE THIRD TIRE (LAST ORIGINAL TIRE) ALSO HAD THE SAME CRACKING.

NHTSA complaint #10449510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,000 miles Oklahoma City, OK

POWER TRAIN

WHEN GOING IN REVERSE THE CAR MAKES A HORRIBLE LOUD NOISE. THE CAR IS STILL IN FACTORY CONDITION AND NOT USING ANY AFTERMARKET PARTS. DEALER STATES THEY HAVE TORE DOWN THE REAR END OF ANOTHER CAR AND LUBED AND OILED AND SAT FOR OVERNIGHT AND DID THE SAME NOISE. SEEMS TO BE A VERY BIG DEFECT IN SOMETHING USED. CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW A BRAND NEW CAR WITH VERY LOW MILES WILL MAKE SUCH A NOISE.

NHTSA complaint #10438206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,000 miles Oklahoma City, OK

WHEELS

WHEN GOING IN REVERSE THE CAR MAKES A HORRIBLE LOUD NOISE. THE CAR IS STILL IN FACTORY CONDITION AND NOT USING ANY AFTERMARKET PARTS. DEALER STATES THEY HAVE TORE DOWN THE REAR END OF ANOTHER CAR AND LUBED AND OILED AND SAT FOR OVERNIGHT AND DID THE SAME NOISE. SEEMS TO BE A VERY BIG DEFECT IN SOMETHING USED. CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW A BRAND NEW CAR WITH VERY LOW MILES WILL MAKE SUCH A NOISE.

NHTSA complaint #10438206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,000 miles Oklahoma City, OK

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

WHEN GOING IN REVERSE THE CAR MAKES A HORRIBLE LOUD NOISE. THE CAR IS STILL IN FACTORY CONDITION AND NOT USING ANY AFTERMARKET PARTS. DEALER STATES THEY HAVE TORE DOWN THE REAR END OF ANOTHER CAR AND LUBED AND OILED AND SAT FOR OVERNIGHT AND DID THE SAME NOISE. SEEMS TO BE A VERY BIG DEFECT IN SOMETHING USED. CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW A BRAND NEW CAR WITH VERY LOW MILES WILL MAKE SUCH A NOISE.

NHTSA complaint #10438206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 34,500 miles Oklahoma City, OK

STRUCTURE:BODY

UNDERCARRIAGE OF CAR IS RUSTED.

NHTSA complaint #10433597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 47,000 miles Harrisburg, PA Crash

AIR BAGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAGS. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 47,000.

NHTSA complaint #10360983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 63 miles LOS Angeles, CA

STRUCTURE

RUST UNDER CARRIAGE.

NHTSA complaint #10308601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 8,000 miles Mentor, OH

TIRES

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE TIRES ARE YOKOHAMA, MODEL NAME RADIAL ALL SEASON TUBELESS, AND THE TIRE SIZE IS P/215/60/R16. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE THE TIRES CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SLIDE ABNORMALLY. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE FOR $600.00. THE TECHNICIAN DID NOT STATE WHY THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE TIRES HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 8,000. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10252715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.