1999 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 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
- Brakes9637.2%
- Suspension2610.1%
- Electrical228.5%
- Transmission176.6%
- Body & structure176.6%
- Steering155.8%
- Airbags145.4%
- Engine135.0%
- Driver assistance93.5%
- Exterior lighting72.7%
- Other / unspecified62.3%
- Tires & wheels62.3%
- Visibility51.9%
- Seat belts31.2%
- Fuel system20.8%
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.
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
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
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
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.
DEFECTIVE LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY. *JB
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
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.
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
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
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.
VEHICLE VIBRATES VIOLENTLY AT SPEEDS 40-50 MPH. *JB
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
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.
1999 MITSUBISHI GALANT ES BLACK PAINT IS DETERIORATING AND GETTING WHITE. *TR
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
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.
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.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
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
WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT HEAD ON, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS INJURED. I OWN A 1999 GALANT. *AK
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
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
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.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
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
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
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
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# 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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 .