RoadVitals

1992 Mitsubishi Galant Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
39
Latest May 18, 2009
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
12
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1992 Mitsubishi Galant, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Engine49.5%
  • Electrical37.1%
  • Powertrain (other)24.8%
  • Brakes24.8%
  • Fuel system24.8%
  • Seat belts24.8%
  • Steering12.4%
  • Suspension12.4%
  • Airbags12.4%
  • Interior & seats12.4%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

15
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 750782 · filed Aug 20, 2001

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. *AK

NHTSA ID 865546 · filed Jul 18, 2000
All 15 reports naming transmission

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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!! *TR

NHTSA ID 10269309 · filed May 18, 2009

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. *AK

NHTSA ID 10144334 · filed Dec 2, 2005
All 8 reports naming tires & wheels

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

1992 MITSUBISHI GALANT CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *KB A NEW ENGINE HAD BEEN INSTALL 3000 MILES PRIOR TO THE FIRE. *NM

NHTSA ID 10169101 · filed Sep 21, 2006

BURNS OIL DIED RIGT ON HIGWAY NOW I OWN ANTHE R ONE ND IT DOES HE SAMETHING. *AK

NHTSA ID 756536 · filed Jan 7, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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. *AK

NHTSA ID 10053159 · filed Jan 14, 2004

ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT FAILED

NHTSA ID 535890 · filed May 20, 1998

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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. *AK

NHTSA ID 10044617 · filed Oct 23, 2003

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 ID 9003470 · filed Aug 28, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FRONT BRAKES WORN.

NHTSA ID 504177 · filed Jul 16, 1996

NOISY BRAKES. *SD

NHTSA ID 503340 · filed Apr 9, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

A SEVERE FUEL LEAK DEVELOPED ON THE EXTERNAL SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT ON TOP OF THE TANK. THE METAL COMPONENTS OF THE FUEL LINE CORRODED.

NHTSA ID 532806 · filed Mar 13, 1998

A SEVERE FUEL LEAK DEVELOPED ON THE EXTERNAL SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT ON TOP OF THE TANK. THE METAL COMPONENTS OF THE FUEL LINE CORRODED.

NHTSA ID 532528 · filed Mar 13, 1998

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MOTORIZED SEAT BELT CABLE FELL OFF THE TRACK, AND THE BELT IS DANGLING FROM THE HOOD OF CAR. SEATBELT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. *AK

NHTSA ID 846881 · filed Sep 3, 1999

VEHICLES AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT HOLDER OVER SHOULDER AREA BROKE OFF WHILE IN USE. *AK

NHTSA ID 985402 · filed Jun 10, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 768522 · filed Oct 16, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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!! *TR

NHTSA ID 10269309 · filed May 18, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH AND WAS HIT HEAD ON BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ID 846758 · filed Sep 3, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 8021134 · filed Oct 18, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .