RoadVitals

1999 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.
215
Latest May 28, 2019
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
15
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.
40

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1999 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

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

Brakes

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

96
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CARS SLIPS ALL THE TIME WHEN THE ABS LIGHT IS ON. TODAY IT WAS RAINING AND IT ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP AT A SPEED OF 25 MPH IN TRAFFIC. VERY SCARY. *TR

NHTSA ID 10661365 · filed Nov 30, 2014

I OWN A GREEN 99 MITSUBISHI GALANT AND THE CLEAR COAT IS COMING OFF CAUSING MY CAR TO LOOK LIKE IT HAS ALLIGATOR SKIN IT STARTED ON THE ROOF AND HAS NOW SPREAD TO THE TRUNK AND HOOD. I CALLED MITSUBISHI TO SEE IF THEY HAD ANY COMPLAINS ABOUT THE PAINT AND I WAS TOLD NO. THE OPERATOR THEN ASKED WHAT STATE I LIVE IN AND WHEN I TOLD HER THAT I LIVE IN TEXAS, SHE TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD HAVE EXPECTED TO HAVE PAINT PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE BECAUSE THE TEXAS SUN IS SO HARSH. I HAVE ALSO BEEN INVOLVED IN 3 ACCIDENTS IN THE VEHICLE AND MY AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER DEPLOYED. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM KEEPING WHEEL COVER ON ALL IT TAKES IS A SLIGHT BUMP IN THE ROAD AND OFF THEY COME. THIS YEAR MODEL ALSO HAS MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE ROTORS WARPING. *JB

NHTSA ID 10161945 · filed Jul 10, 2006
All 96 reports naming brakes

Suspension

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

26
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A DIRT ROAD GOING ABOUT 5 MPH THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE NOT ANY OF THE RUBBER BOOTS THE CONTROL ARM ITSELF RUSTED AND BROKE.

NHTSA ID 11210429 · filed May 28, 2019

DEFECTIVE LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY. *JB

NHTSA ID 10153701 · filed Mar 25, 2006
All 26 reports naming suspension

Electrical

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

22
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD LIGHTS FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V333001, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: BATTERY: CABLES RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

NHTSA ID 10414980 · filed Jul 25, 2011

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICE A FIRE COMING FROM THE WIRING HARNESS OUT OF THE FUSE BOX. DISCONNECTTED THE BATTERY AND TOWED IT HOME. *TR

NHTSA ID 10286969 · filed Oct 10, 2009
All 22 reports naming electrical

Transmission

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

17
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED AND HAD WORSENED OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A POWER FLUSH PERFORMED, ALL RELATED FILTERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER EXPRESSED THAT IF PROBLEMS CONTINUED, THE TORQUE CONVERTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE NECESSARY WORK WAS PERFORMED, BUT THE PROBLEMS WORSENED.

NHTSA ID 10173721 · filed Nov 17, 2006

VEHICLE VIBRATES VIOLENTLY AT SPEEDS 40-50 MPH. *JB

NHTSA ID 10139043 · filed Oct 7, 2005
All 17 reports naming transmission

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

17
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXTERIOR PAINT WAS OXIDIZED WITH CHIPPING ON THE HOOD, ROOF AND TRUNK LID. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THE CONCERN OF WARRANTING A RECALL RELATED TO THE EXTERIOR PAINT DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID 10354198 · filed Sep 7, 2010

1999 MITSUBISHI GALANT ES BLACK PAINT IS DETERIORATING AND GETTING WHITE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10231288 · filed Jun 17, 2008
All 17 reports naming body & structure

Steering

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

15
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A DIRT ROAD GOING ABOUT 5 MPH THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE NOT ANY OF THE RUBBER BOOTS THE CONTROL ARM ITSELF RUSTED AND BROKE.

NHTSA ID 11210429 · filed May 28, 2019

I PURCHASED A '99 MITS GALANT FOR MY DAUGHTER FOR HER 16TH B'DAY IN NOVEMBER OF 2004. SHE CONTINUALLY COMPLAINED OF STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION WHICH I DID FEEL ON THE COUPLE OF OCCASIONS I DROVE THE VEHICLE. IN LATE 2005 SHE WENT TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STEER LEFT. SHE SUBSEQUENTLY HIT A RETAINING WALL. I DID NOT TURN IT INTO MY INSURANCE SINCE IT WAS PURELY COSMETIC. SHE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE VERY LITTLE. SHE SAVED HER MONEY UNTIL LAST MONTH WHEN SHE HAD THE FRONT END REPAIRED. WITHIN WEEKS OF GETTING THE VEHICLE BACK SHE AGAIN WENT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN OFF OF OUR STREET AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STEER LEFT AGAIN. SHE HIT A TRAILER AND PUSHED IT INTO A FENCE. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS TIME SHE WAS INJURED AND HAD TO BE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. DUE TO THIS 2ND OCCURRENCE I DECIDED TO CHECK FOR RECALLS THAT DEAL WITH THE STEERING ON THESE VEHICLES. I FOUND RECALL #00V225001 DATED 8/10/2000 THAT DESCRIBES HER PROBLEMS PERFECTLY. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY I WAS NOT MADE AWARE THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE THIS CHECKED WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I THINK THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THE CURRENT REPAIRS ON THE VEHICLE OR REPLACE IT.

NHTSA ID 10192557 · filed Jun 6, 2007
All 15 reports naming steering

Airbags

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

14
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I OWN A GREEN 99 MITSUBISHI GALANT AND THE CLEAR COAT IS COMING OFF CAUSING MY CAR TO LOOK LIKE IT HAS ALLIGATOR SKIN IT STARTED ON THE ROOF AND HAS NOW SPREAD TO THE TRUNK AND HOOD. I CALLED MITSUBISHI TO SEE IF THEY HAD ANY COMPLAINS ABOUT THE PAINT AND I WAS TOLD NO. THE OPERATOR THEN ASKED WHAT STATE I LIVE IN AND WHEN I TOLD HER THAT I LIVE IN TEXAS, SHE TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD HAVE EXPECTED TO HAVE PAINT PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE BECAUSE THE TEXAS SUN IS SO HARSH. I HAVE ALSO BEEN INVOLVED IN 3 ACCIDENTS IN THE VEHICLE AND MY AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER DEPLOYED. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM KEEPING WHEEL COVER ON ALL IT TAKES IS A SLIGHT BUMP IN THE ROAD AND OFF THEY COME. THIS YEAR MODEL ALSO HAS MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE ROTORS WARPING. *JB

NHTSA ID 10161945 · filed Jul 10, 2006

WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT HEAD ON, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS INJURED. I OWN A 1999 GALANT. *AK

NHTSA ID 10117890 · filed Apr 14, 2005
All 14 reports naming airbags

Engine

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

13
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ALTERNATOR AND WIRE HARNESS CAUGHT ON FIRE ON MY 1999 MITSUBISHI GALANT. HARNESS AND ALTERNATOR PLUG WERE TOTALLY BURNT. HAD TO REPLACE BOTH AT MY COST. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE RADIATOR WHILE AT THE SHOP. LOST 1 DAY OF WORK DUE TO THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10208738 · filed Nov 12, 2007

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED AND HAD WORSENED OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A POWER FLUSH PERFORMED, ALL RELATED FILTERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER EXPRESSED THAT IF PROBLEMS CONTINUED, THE TORQUE CONVERTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE NECESSARY WORK WAS PERFORMED, BUT THE PROBLEMS WORSENED.

NHTSA ID 10173721 · filed Nov 17, 2006
All 13 reports naming engine

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE GAS PEDAL STICKS CAUSING CAR TO ACCELERATE TO FAST. SEEMS TO BE WHEN I FIRST GET IN THE CAR AFTER IT HAS SET FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS. THIS STICKING PEDAL IS GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL BASED ON THE INFORMATION I HAVE SEEN ON THIS WEB SITE. *JB

NHTSA ID 10177962 · filed Jan 6, 2007

I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT WHEN I BARELY LET MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. MY VEHICHLE LEPT FORWARD, HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, WHICH CAUSED THAT CAR TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM.*AK

NHTSA ID 10080496 · filed Jul 7, 2004
All 9 reports naming driver assistance

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH FAILED. AS OF DECEMBER 21, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TURN SIGNAL: SWITCH). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 109,371.

NHTSA ID 10212485 · filed Dec 21, 2007

NHTSA# 99 V 305 001/HEADLAMP WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH: CONSUMEVEHICLE IS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT OPERATING. PROBLEM DID NOT OCCURED UNTIL RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE AT DOBBS BRO'S MITSUBISHI IN MEMPHIS, TN. PHONE# 901/795-3400. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED ,AND STATED THAT ELECTRICAL SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT CONSUMER COST. ASKING NHTSA TO ASSIST IN THIS MATTER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID 8016483 · filed Aug 16, 2002

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.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A DIRT ROAD GOING ABOUT 5 MPH THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE NOT ANY OF THE RUBBER BOOTS THE CONTROL ARM ITSELF RUSTED AND BROKE.

NHTSA ID 11210429 · filed May 28, 2019

1999 MITSUBISHI GALANT WITH CLEARCOAT FAILURE ON ENTIRE TOP OF HOOD, CAR, AND TRUNK LOCAL DEALER SAID I WAS OUT OF LUCK, CAR WAS 5.5 YEARS OLD WHEN I NOTICED AND THEY SAID THEY COULD DO NOTHING

NHTSA ID 10119852 · filed May 4, 2005

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.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER SWITCH/WIRING IS BROKE. THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL, #99V305001 CONCERNING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER: SWITCH; WIRING HOWEVER THE RECALL DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN. THE HUB CAPS ALSO WILL NOT STAY ON. THE CONTACT HAS REPLACED NUMEROUS HUBCAPS. THE DEALER DOES NOT OFFER A SOLUTION, THEREFORE, THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID 10152129 · filed Mar 7, 2006

THE HOOKS ON THE HUB CAPS DO NOT HOLD PROPERLY THE HUB CAP ON THE RIM OF THE WHEEL PROPERLY. HITTING THE LIGHTEST BUMP IN THE ROAD WOULD CAUSE A LOSS OF ONE OR MORE OF THE CAPS. CONSUMER REPLACED FOUR HUB CAPS. *AK

NHTSA ID 10057925 · filed Feb 11, 2004

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

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

EVER SINCE PURCHASE OF 1999 MITSUBISHI GALANT IN 2003 THE HEATER DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. ENGINE TEMP IS NORMAL BUT BLOWS OUT COLD AIR. GIVE IT THE GAS AND IT BLOWS OUT HOT AIR. TAKE FOOT OFF OF GAS AND GOES COLD. REPLACED THERMOSTATS TOLD THAT IT IS A DEFECTIVE HEATER CORE THAT GOES BAD IN ALL OF MITSUBISHI'S. *NM

NHTSA ID 10174997 · filed Dec 2, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE DID NOT START IMMEDIATELY UPON TURNING THE IGNITION. THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED BRIEFLY. PREVIOUSLY, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO 3 DIFFERENT PRIVATE REPAIR SHOPS, WHO ALL DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE STARTER. EACH TIME, THE STARTER WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. ALSO, A PIECE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER SWITCH DETACHED FROM THE SWITCH ITSELF, CAUSING THE WASHER TO NOT FUNCTION. THE WASHER SWITCH WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER, HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 99V305001, WHICH PERTAINS TO THE WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 12/5/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ID 10171170 · filed Oct 18, 2006

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN 2002. SINCE I HAVE HAD THE CAR MY BRAKES KEEP MAKING THIS CRACKING NOISES. IVE REPLACED THEM SINCE IVE HAD THE CAR ABOUT 7 TIMES INCLUDING REPLACING MY ROTORS AND GETTING THEM TURNED, YET THE PROBLEM STILL EXSIST. I HAVE EVEN BOUGHT THE MOST EXPESSIVE AND SUPPOSE TO BE THE BEST BRAKE PADS . YOU CAN BUY FOR A MITTSUBISHI GALANT. THEY ARE FINE FOR THE FIRST FEW WEEKS AFTER I REPLACE THEM BUT THEY GO BACK TO THE SAME WAY AFTER A FEW WEEKS. ALSO MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT KEEPS GETTING STUCK. I HAVE TRIED TO FIX IT NUMEROUS TIMES BUT IT WONT STOP GETTING STUCK. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME.*AK

NHTSA ID 10112715 · filed Mar 8, 2005

VEHICLE WANDERS OFF INTO ANOTHER LANE. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT RETRACTORS ARE IN BACKWARDS/THERE IS A GASOLINE LEAK FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE, AND VEHICLE SHAKES AND VIBRATES WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. *AK

NHTSA ID 871894 · filed Sep 29, 2000

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

PLASTIC FUEL TANK DOOR HAS CRACKED. DEALER CLAIMED DOOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, DEALER INDICATED DEFECT WAS COMMON AND PART WAS ON BACKORDER.*AK

NHTSA ID 889352 · filed May 30, 2001

VEHICLE WANDERS OFF INTO ANOTHER LANE. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT RETRACTORS ARE IN BACKWARDS/THERE IS A GASOLINE LEAK FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE, AND VEHICLE SHAKES AND VIBRATES WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. *AK

NHTSA ID 871894 · filed Sep 29, 2000

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 .