1996 Mitsubishi Galant Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1996 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
- Transmission3117.6%
- Brakes3017.0%
- Airbags2011.4%
- Suspension1910.8%
- Engine169.1%
- Body & structure137.4%
- Visibility84.5%
- Driver assistance74.0%
- Seat belts52.8%
- Electrical52.8%
- Powertrain (other)52.8%
- Heating & air conditioning42.3%
- Steering42.3%
- Interior & seats31.7%
- Other / unspecified21.1%
- Tires & wheels21.1%
- Fuel system21.1%
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION FLUID DIPSTICK IMPOSSIBLE TO READ, NOTIFIED DEALER, DEALER SAID THAT'S JUST HOW IT IS DESIGNED. I'M WORRIED BECAUSE TRANMISSIONS ARE A COMMON FAILURE ON THIS GENERATION OF MITSUBISHI GALANT. CAN THIS BE CORRECTED BY A DIPSTICK REDESIGN?
THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION OF MY 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT SLIPS OUT OF GEAR AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND REENGAGES. CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS LOST WHEN THIS HAPPENS.*AK
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH MY SUN ROOF, BRAKES, GAS, ACCELERATION AND OVER HEATING OF MY CAR. MY SUN ROOF ABOUT EVERY OTHER MONTH SOMETHING GOES WRONG WITH IT EVERY TIME I OPEN IT. MY BREAKS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ABOUT 4 OR 5 TIMES BECAUSE THE WEAR OUT QUICK. WHEN I BREAK MY TIERS SKIP THE CAR STOPS BUT THE TIERS KEEP TURNING. MY GAS IS GONE QUICK AND I ONLY DRIVE HERE IN TOWN FROM WORK TO HOME TO DAYCARE. SOMETIMES WHEN I TURN MY CAR ON THE SPEEDOMETER MOVES BY ITS SELF AS IF I WERE PUSHING THE GAS PEDDLE AND MY FOOTS ON THE BREAK WHEN IT DOES IT BY ITS SELF AND IT DOES IT WHEN I'M DRIVING. I CAN DRIVE A BLOCK AND MY CAR GETS REALLY HOT AND THE FAN IS ON RIGHT AWAY. I CAN'T STAND MY CARE ANYMORE ITS NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS FOR A WHILE.*AK
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE HIT A BRICK WALL. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES TO THE BACK. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
A TRUCK DROPPED SOME BOXES ON THE FREEWAY. A CAR STOPPED SUDDENLY TO AVOID THE BOXES, ANOTHER CAR HIT THEM, FINALLY WE HIT THAT CAR. IT WAS A 3 CAR PILEUP. I WAS DRIVING AND MY WIFE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. WE WERE THE LAST CAR IN THE LINE AND HIT AT ABOUT 45+ MPH. WE WERE IN A 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT WITH ONLY 78K MILES AND WE WERE BOTH WEARING OUR SEATBELTS. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED! IT WAS A DIRECT HIT RIGHT IN THE FRONT OF OUR CAR AT OVER 45 MPH. NOW MY WIFE MAY HAVE PERMANENT BACK PAIN. I CAN GET THE VIN NUMBER IF YOU NEED IT. I JUST DONT HAVE ACCESS TO IT TODAY.*AK
BRAKES FAILED, CAUSED A COLLISION AND AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I CURRENTLY BOUGHT THE 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT FOR MY WIFE AND 11 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER. THE DEALER TOLD ME I NEEDED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT TO GET THE PULL AND SHAKE OUT OF MY FRONT END. I TOOK IT TO AN ALIGNMENT SHOP AND THE ASE MASTER TECH. TOLD ME MY CONTROL ARMS WERE BENT DUE TO CORROSION OF THE BALL JOINT, HE THEN TOLD ME THERE WAS A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES AND IF I DON'T GET THE PROBLEM FIXED IT COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING. I DON'T THINK IT WOULD BE SAFE FOR MY WIFE TO LOSE STEERING WITH OUR INFANT DAUGHTER SO NOW I GOT BIGGER PROBLEMS THEN A TWENTY FIVE DOLLAR FRONT END ALIGNMENT. I'M UPSET AT THE DEALER FOR NOT INFORMING ME WITH THESE RECALLS NOT THE MANUFACTURE FOR MAKING THE BAD PART. PLEASE HELP BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. *TR
AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL 00V421001, AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE NOT DEFECTIVE. CONSUMER LATER PURCHASED TIRES, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BALL JOINT HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY. *AK
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED THREE TIMES. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND WHEN I GOT HOME, THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. THE NEXT DAY, I PLACED THE GEAR IN DRIVE, AND PRESSED THE GAS; IT SOUNDED AS IF THE ENTIRE EVERYTHING WOULD FALL OUT. MY TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT WITHOUT WARNING, AND I KNOW THIS IS NOT NORMAL. I NOW SEE THAT THERE IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT MITSUBISHI TAKES RESPONSIBILITY AND COMPENSATE US, THE CONSUMERS. IF THEY DON'T, THEY WILL ONLY LOSE CUSTOMERS. THANKS.*AK
AIR CONDITIONER BELT HAS BUSTED 3 TIMES. IF ENGINE PULLEY SITS STILL TOO LONG IT WEARS BELT OUT IF NOT REPAIRED IN TIME. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE ADD MORE INFORMATION.*AK
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS BEING PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE WHEN SHE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE DESTROYED AND WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO OPERATE. THE DAMAGE WAS BEYOND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 179,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE, THE JACK WENT STRAIGHT THROUGH THE FRAME WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING LIFTED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A SHOP AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE RUST IN THE REAR SUBFRAME. THE CONTACT SOLD THE VEHICLE RATHER THAN HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH MY SUN ROOF, BRAKES, GAS, ACCELERATION AND OVER HEATING OF MY CAR. MY SUN ROOF ABOUT EVERY OTHER MONTH SOMETHING GOES WRONG WITH IT EVERY TIME I OPEN IT. MY BREAKS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ABOUT 4 OR 5 TIMES BECAUSE THE WEAR OUT QUICK. WHEN I BREAK MY TIERS SKIP THE CAR STOPS BUT THE TIERS KEEP TURNING. MY GAS IS GONE QUICK AND I ONLY DRIVE HERE IN TOWN FROM WORK TO HOME TO DAYCARE. SOMETIMES WHEN I TURN MY CAR ON THE SPEEDOMETER MOVES BY ITS SELF AS IF I WERE PUSHING THE GAS PEDDLE AND MY FOOTS ON THE BREAK WHEN IT DOES IT BY ITS SELF AND IT DOES IT WHEN I'M DRIVING. I CAN DRIVE A BLOCK AND MY CAR GETS REALLY HOT AND THE FAN IS ON RIGHT AWAY. I CAN'T STAND MY CARE ANYMORE ITS NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS FOR A WHILE.*AK
THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH WILL NOT ROLL WINDOWS UP OR DOWN. AT FIRST THE DRIVER SIDE CONTROL WOULD NOT OPERATE ANY WINDOWS IN VEHICLE. THEN THE DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW QUIT WORKING ALSO. IT SEEMS AS IF THE MOTOR IS DEFECTIVE. DT
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH MY SUN ROOF, BRAKES, GAS, ACCELERATION AND OVER HEATING OF MY CAR. MY SUN ROOF ABOUT EVERY OTHER MONTH SOMETHING GOES WRONG WITH IT EVERY TIME I OPEN IT. MY BREAKS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ABOUT 4 OR 5 TIMES BECAUSE THE WEAR OUT QUICK. WHEN I BREAK MY TIERS SKIP THE CAR STOPS BUT THE TIERS KEEP TURNING. MY GAS IS GONE QUICK AND I ONLY DRIVE HERE IN TOWN FROM WORK TO HOME TO DAYCARE. SOMETIMES WHEN I TURN MY CAR ON THE SPEEDOMETER MOVES BY ITS SELF AS IF I WERE PUSHING THE GAS PEDDLE AND MY FOOTS ON THE BREAK WHEN IT DOES IT BY ITS SELF AND IT DOES IT WHEN I'M DRIVING. I CAN DRIVE A BLOCK AND MY CAR GETS REALLY HOT AND THE FAN IS ON RIGHT AWAY. I CAN'T STAND MY CARE ANYMORE ITS NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS FOR A WHILE.*AK
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 50MPH ACCELERATOR STUCK AND COULD NOT BE PULLED UP OR JIGGLED LOOSE. THE ENGINE AS A RESULT WAS REVVING IN THE RED ZONE FOR ABOUT A MINUTE WHILE IT WAS DECIDED TO PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, BRAKE, PULL OVER & TURN THE CAR OFF. THE CAR WAS STOPPED A MERE 100 YARDS FROM A TRAFFIC JAM DUE TO CONSTRUCTION. THIS COULD HAVE LED T O A FATAL ACCIDENT HAD NATHAN NOT HAD THE PRESENCE OF MIND TO DO WHAT HE DID. THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT FOR THE SAFETY OF MY WIFE AND CHILDREN; LUCKILY THEY WERE NOT IN THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED AS MY WIFE STATED SHE WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, AND WOULD HAVE PROBABLY ENDED UP CRASHING. THE SHOP WHERE THE CAR WAS TAKEN STATED THAT THE CABLES WERE FROZEN AND IT WAS DUE TO MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. *AK
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DRIVER'S HEAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD AFTER RUNNING INTO A DITCH WHILE TRYING TO MISS HITTING A DEER ON THE ROAD BECAUSE THE FRONT SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK UPON IMPACT, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
SPEED ODOMETER WENT OUT.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, OIL DIPSTICK REGISTERED EMPTY, DEALER REPLACED WATER PUMP, REAR MAIN SEAL, CRANKSHAFT AND A/C P/S BELTS AND VALVES, OIL ALSO LEAKING AT THE DISTRIBTOR AROUND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *TT
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, OIL DIPSTICK REGISTERED EMPTY, DEALER REPLACED WATER PUMP, REAR MAIN SEAL, CRANKSHAFT AND A/C P/S BELTS AND VALVES, OIL ALSO LEAKING AT THE DISTRIBTOR AROUND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *TT
ODOMETER HAD BEEN REPLACED DUE TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR CONDITIONER BELT HAS BUSTED 3 TIMES. IF ENGINE PULLEY SITS STILL TOO LONG IT WEARS BELT OUT IF NOT REPAIRED IN TIME. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE ADD MORE INFORMATION.*AK
THE CONSUMER HAS HAD 3 TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED IN ONLY FOUR YEARS, THE MANUFACTURER KNOWS THE TRANSMISSION WAS RECALLED BUT REFUSED REIMBURSEMENT. NLM
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
RECALL 99V066001. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WANTED TO CHARGE OWNER TO REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM.*AK THE DEALER FOUND OUT THE PROBLEM TO BE STRUTS (SHOCKS) AND INNER TIE ROD FAILURES. *YH
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE JAN 2000 AND DURING TEST DRIVE I HEARD A NOISE IN THE POWER STEERING. I REPORTED IT TO THE SALESMAN AT PHIL HUGHES HONDA. HE HAD HIS USED CAR MECHANIC TAKE A LOOK. THE MECHANIC WAS TO HAVE LUBRICATED IT. SECOND TRIP FOLLOWING WEEK AND MECHANIC LUBED AGAIN AND I WAS TOLD TO SOMETIME DROP BY THEIR MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP DOWN THE ROAD AND HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT. I IMMEDIATELY WENT THERE AND THEY HAD TO TIGHTEN LOOSE BELTS THAT TWICE BEFORE WENT UNNOTICED BY THEIR ASSOCIATE DEALERSHIP USED CAR MECHANIC AT PHIL HUGHES HONDA. THE MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER WAS VERY HELPFUL AND ASSISTED ME BY FINDING THE PROBLEM AND CORRECTING IT. THERE IS AN OCCASIONAL SLIGHT SOUND THAT IS MILD THAT I WILL HAVE CHECKED OUT. *AK
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
TOOK IN MY 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT ES FOR IT'S YEARLY INSPECTION. VECHICLE FAILED DUE TO OBD READINESS MONITOR SAYING MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THE LIGHT WAS NOTON AND IN FACT WOKRED PERFECTLY AS TESTED BY TURNING ON THE ENGINE, THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON FOR A FEW SECONDS AS PART OF THE START UP THEN TURN OFF. I HAD TWO SHOPS READ THE ECM WITH A SNAP ON TOOLS COMPUTER TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY CODES IN THE COMPUTER. THERE WERE NONE, BUT IT DID SAY THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, EVEN THOUGH IT WASN'T. I TOOK IT INTO THE SALT LAKE COUTNY EMISSION CONTROL AND THEY PERFORMED THE SAME TESTS YIELDING THE SAME RESULTS. EVERYONE WAS BAFFLED. THE SALT LAKE COUNTRY EMISSION CONTROL THINKS THE ENTIRE ECM IS FAULTY AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED.*AK
DRIVER'S SEAT WILL MOVE WHEN APPLYING THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CONSUMER HAS HAD 3 TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED IN ONLY FOUR YEARS, THE MANUFACTURER KNOWS THE TRANSMISSION WAS RECALLED BUT REFUSED REIMBURSEMENT. NLM
BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT WHEELS CAME OFF ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE TRAVELING HEARD A LOUD NOISE WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL, AND THEN NOTICED TIRE WAS BENT . PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK TIRES, TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, OIL DIPSTICK REGISTERED EMPTY, DEALER REPLACED WATER PUMP, REAR MAIN SEAL, CRANKSHAFT AND A/C P/S BELTS AND VALVES, OIL ALSO LEAKING AT THE DISTRIBTOR AROUND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *TT
ODOMETER HAD BEEN REPLACED DUE TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *YH
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .