Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
135
Latest Aug 3, 2022
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.
31
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Feb 25, 2002
What this page shows
Our database holds 135 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaints, most recent first
Showing 1–25 of 135 · page 1 of 6
Airbags
Filed Aug 3, 2022
Crash reported1 injury reported
The contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Galant. The contact stated that while his son was being chased by another motorist at 40 MPH, he lost control of the vehicle as he attempted to brake. The vehicle veered off the road and initially hit a garbage can that ricocheted and broke another vehicle's taillight. The vehicle continued to move forward before it hit both an electrical box and a tree which stopped the vehicle's momentum. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. His son was treated at the scene for the soreness to his chest and back and for other minor cuts and bruises. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it remained in their possession. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.
NHTSA ID
11477368
Incident
Jul 30, 2022
Mileage
131,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 22, 2019
I'VE HAD THIS 2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND HAVE ALWAYS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHTS. THEY DON'T SHINE BRIGHT ENOUGH TO CLEARLY SEE THE ROAD AHEAD. IT IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA ID
11233978
Incident
Jan 1, 2014
Mileage
80,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 13, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND THE SIGNAL LAMP FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V147000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
NHTSA ID
10855247
Incident
Oct 16, 2006
Mileage
25,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 26, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WENT AIRBORNE AND LANDED ON ALL FOUR WHEELS. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A NECK INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ID
10721497
Incident
Nov 25, 2014
Electrical
Filed Apr 30, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WITHOUT IT BEING MANUALLY ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000. UPDATED 6/11/15*CN UPDATED 06/16/15*JB
NHTSA ID
10713821
Incident
Apr 16, 2015
Mileage
186,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Oct 30, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL FAILED TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V147000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
NHTSA ID
10651321
Incident
Aug 4, 2014
Mileage
105,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 30, 2013
Crash reported1 injury reported
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THERE WAS A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WITH THE IMPACT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURY TO THE SHOULDER AND SUFFERED FROM MODERATE HEADACHES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. JS
NHTSA ID
10538120
Incident
Aug 18, 2013
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 29, 2012
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A SERVICE BULLETIN? NOT THAT MANY MILES. *TR UPDATED 12/04/12*LJ
NHTSA ID
10486408
Incident
Nov 26, 2012
Mileage
59,980 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 24, 2012
Fire reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. AFTER RETURNING TO THE VEHICLE AN HOUR LATER THERE WAS SMOKE BEING EMITTED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND THE WIRES WERE CUT TO PREVENT FURTHER THERMAL EVENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 129,250. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ID
10482105
Incident
Oct 23, 2012
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Apr 17, 2012
INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS DON'T COME ON. FUSES ALL OK, SWITCHES OK, REOSTAT OK. COULD BE BULBS BEHIND INSTRUMENT PANEL - OR CIRCUIT BOARD. CAN'T DRIVE AT NIGHT -CAN'T SEE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. INTERIOR LIGHTS OK. BLINKER LIGHTS OK BUT WON'T TURN OFF AFTER MAKING TURN. CAN'T GET INFORMATION FROM MITSUBISHI ON WHAT IT MAY BE. *JS
NHTSA ID
10455586
Incident
Feb 1, 2012
Mileage
112,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 29, 2012
Fire reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR CAUGHT ON FIRE AS THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND OPENED THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SEPARATED THE PASSENGER DOOR PANEL AND POURED WATER IN THE PANEL TO STOP THE FIRE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
NHTSA ID
10449742
Incident
Feb 28, 2012
Mileage
136,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 7, 2012
I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR NOT WANTING TO START. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR QUITE SOME TIME. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE CAM SHAFT CENSOR AFTER A MONTH OR TWO THE STARTING PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN. I THEN HAD THE COILS, WIRES AND BATTERY CABLE REPLACE AND STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM. I WANT TO KNOW IF THERE HAS BEEN RECALLS FOR THESE PROBLEMS NO I HAVE NOT BEEN TOLD. I ONLY HAVE 68000 MILES ON THIS CAR AND SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ID
10442783
Incident
Jan 6, 2012
Mileage
68,000 mi
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Sep 6, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE HORN WOULD ENGAGE SPORADICALLY AND WOULD NOT STOP. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 110,218.
NHTSA ID
10423979
Incident
Sep 1, 2011
Mileage
100,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 28, 2011
Crash reported2 injuries reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO HIS PASSENGER SIDE AT A HIGH SPEED. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE CRASH. THE DRIVER SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE KNEE AND CHEST, AND THE PASSENGER SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE CHEST. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.
NHTSA ID
10415522
Incident
Jul 27, 2011
Mileage
120,000 mi
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Nov 15, 2010
1. PURCHASED "AS IS" IN DAYLIGHT HOURS, DID NOT NOTICE INTERIOR LIGHTS DID NOT FUNCTION. 2. INTERIOR LIGHTS AND TRUNK LIGHT DO NOT FUNCTION. THIS IS A PERMANENT CONDITION. 3. USING OHMMETER, INTERIOR LIGHT FILAMENTS CHECKED, TRUNK LIGHT FILAMENT CHECKED. ALL OK. NO VOLTAGES MEASURED AT INPUTS TO ALL. FUSES ALL OK. DOOR SWITCH OK. LIFTED FUSES 16 & 17 IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, NO VOLTAGE TO CONTACTS THAT SHOULD HAVE 12 VOLTS ALWAYS ON, PER SCHEMATIC. LOOKED UP RECALL # 29924 FOR THIS MODEL, YEAR, MAKE, AND WOULD APPEAR TO BE UNDER COLOR OF GROUNDING OF WIRES. *TR
NHTSA ID
10365801
Incident
Jun 1, 2010
Mileage
97,500 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 16, 2010
THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR IS CONSTANTLY WET IN MY 2001 GALANT. IT STARTED HAPPENING IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS. I CHECKED THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR AND DO NOT SEE ANY HOLES; THE UNDERCARRIAGE COATING LOOKS FINE. THERE IS A LITTLE SUPPORT BEAM UNDER THE FLOOR BOARD OF THE CAR THAT I CAN NOT PEER INTO. THE FLUID DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE COOLANT. IT DOES NOT LOOK OR SMELL LIKE COOLANT. *TR
NHTSA ID
10349710
Incident
May 1, 2010
Mileage
132,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 27, 2010
PAINT TURNING WHITE A PEELING OVER ENTIRE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10327769
Incident
Sep 1, 2009
Mileage
96,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Oct 12, 2009
I HAVE 2 COMPLAINTS. I HAVE A 2002 BLACK MITSUBISHI GALANT ES AND LIKE MANY OTHERS I SEE ON THE ROAD AND HAVE READ ABOUT ON THE INTERNET. OXYDIZATION HAS OCCURRED ALL OVER MY CAR, IT STARTED ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO AND BUFFING AND WAXING DOES NOT HELP. ALSO, ANOTHER PROBLEM THAT STARTED ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO: WHEN TURNING FROM AIR TO HEAT OR VICE VERSA, THERE IS A LOUD CLICKING NOISE AND THEN IT WILL TURN OVER WHEN IT FEELS LIKE. I THINK RECENTLY IT HAS JUST GIVEN OUT AND COMPLETELY BROKE. I JUST PAID THIS CAR OFF AND AM EMBARRASSED TO DRIVE IT. *TR
NHTSA ID
10287141
Incident
Jun 1, 2007
Mileage
70,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 5, 2009
PAINT DEFECT LEADS T RAPID OXIDATION AND RUSTING OF CAR. *TR
NHTSA ID
10286326
Incident
Aug 1, 2008
Mileage
60,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 3, 2009
2002 BLACK MITSUBISHI GALANT, IT SEEMS THAT ALL THE GALANTS FOR SEVERAL YEARS HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE PAINT..THE PAINT ITS LIKE DISAPPEARING IF YOU LOOK AROUND AND PAY ATTENTION YOU WILL FIND A WHITE COATING COMING FROM THE PRIMER USED... I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY A RECALL HAVE NOT BEEN ISSUE YET. *TR
NHTSA ID
10286204
Incident
Oct 2, 2009
Mileage
104,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Sep 14, 2009
Crash reported1 injury reported
WHILE THE 2002 GALANT WAS IN PARK AND ENGINE OFF , VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN STEEP DRIVEWAY I WAS FASTENING BABY INTO CARSEAT ON REAR PASSENGER SIDE OTHER CHILD BUMPED GEAR SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND CAR ENGAGED . I WAS DRAGGED WITH VEHICLE DOWN DRIVEWAY ACROSS STREET INTO A YARD AND INTO A TREE WHERE VEHICLE CAME TO REST AFTER CRASHING INTO TREE. THE GALANTS SHIFT LOCK DOES NOT WORK THE BRAKE SHOULD HAVE TO BE DEPRESSED TO SHIFT AND NOT AT ALL IF ENGINE IS OFF. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AS THIS COULD WELL HAVE BEEN FATAL. LUCKILY I RECEIVED ONLY A BROKEN FOOT AND CUTS. *TR
NHTSA ID
10283905
Incident
Sep 11, 2009
Body & structureOther / unspecified
Filed Jul 26, 2009
2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT HAS A PAINT DEFECT THAT IS SEEN IN EVERY BLACK GALANT THAT IS SEEN ON THE ROAD. THE MANUFACTURER DENIES ANY RESPONSIBILITY. IN ADDITION THE VEHICLE LOSES HUB CAPS CONSTANTLY. THIS CAN ALSO BE SEEN IN ALMOST EVERY GALANT ON THE ROAD MANUFACTURED AROUND THOSE YEARS. *TR
NHTSA ID
10278325
Incident
Jul 1, 2009
Mileage
60,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 13, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. HE TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED EIGHT MONTHS LATER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AGAIN. THIS TIME THE REPAIRS ONLY LASTED TWO MONTHS BEFORE FAILING AGAIN. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS PRONE TO CRACKING WHERE IT IS CONNECTED TO THE THROTTLE BODY. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND THIS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED DUE TO THE MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 147,000. UPDATED 08/04/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS PRONE TO CRACKING SINCE IT IS CONNECTED TO THE THROTTLE BODY. UPDATED 08/06/09*JB
NHTSA ID
10276501
Incident
Jul 1, 2009
Mileage
126,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 7, 2009
OUR 2002 BLACK MITSUBISHI GALANT HAS PAINT FADING ON THE TRUNK AND TOP. TWO BODYSHOPS HAVE TOLD US THIS IS COMMON WITH MITSUBISHI DUE TO THE CLEAR COAT USED. THIS IS A WELL MAINTAINED CAR WITH ONLY 70,000 MILES AND LOOKS TERRIBLE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10275969
Incident
Apr 9, 2009
Body & structure
Filed Jun 29, 2009
MY 2002 SILVER MITSUBISHI GALANT GTZ LOOKS HORRIBLE. NOTICING AFTER THE CAR WAS PURCHASED THAT THE CAR DID NOT HAVE ANY REAL SHINE TO IT. TRIED WAXING AND STILL LOOKED BAD. EVEN RUNNING YOU HANDS OVER IT DOES NOT FEEL SMOOTH. WELL IN 2007 I NOTICED BLOTCHY SPOTS ALL OVER IT NO LOOKS LIKE THE PAINT IS GONE COMPLETELY. I ACTUALLY PAID EXTRA FOR THE CLEAR COAT PROTECTION AND UNDERCOATING INNERCOATING WHEN PURCHASED NEW. IT'S AS IF IT SHOWED UP AS SOON AS THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. NO ONE CAN GIVE ME ANY INFORMATION AND I THINK I MAY GET A LAWYER TOO. AS I READ MORE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, THE MORE AND MORE TICKED I AM! *TR
NHTSA ID
10275221
Incident
Oct 7, 2007
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.
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