RoadVitals

2002 Mitsubishi Galant Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints 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.
24
Latest Apr 13, 2016
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
18%
of 135 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
7
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 24 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

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
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
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
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 & 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
Electrical
Filed Feb 10, 2009
Fire reported1 injury reported

SON WAS DRIVING HOME FROM COLLEGE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR CAUGHT ON FIRE AS HE WAS LEAVING THE PARKING LOT. HE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND PUT OUT THE FIRE BURNING THE TIPS OF HIS FINGERS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10258161
Incident
Feb 9, 2009
Mileage
98,000 mi
ElectricalOther / unspecified
Filed Jul 7, 2008

18 DEMEITS ? HORN NOT WORKING REPOLLED NO REASON BAD VIN# CAR TURNED OFF LO-JACK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10233403
Incident
Jan 15, 2008
ElectricalVisibility
Filed May 19, 2007

2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT 3.0 V6, HEATER CONTROL MOTOR FAILED AFTER ONLY 5 YEARS OF SERVICE. ALSO, SPEEDOMETER WAS CONSISTANTLY 4 MPH FAS, ALWAYS HAS BEEN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10191227
Incident
May 1, 2007
Mileage
105,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 22, 2007
Fire reported

RESPONDED TO A VEHICLE FIRE IN A 2002 MITSUBISHI, GALANT ON MARCH 22, 2007. THERE IS NO POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THIS FIRE BUT FROM THE OUTSTANDING RECALL FOR THE WIRING UNDER THE HOOD, RECALL NUMBER NHTSA 02V147000. IT HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR THREE HOURS AND THE AREA OF ORIGIN, IS UNDER THE HOOD INVOLVING THE BATTERY AND WIRING.

NHTSA ID
10185881
Incident
Mar 22, 2007
Electrical
Filed Dec 26, 2006

IN DEC OF 2004 FOUND A PROBLEM WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM IS WHEN THE READING LAMP IS ACTIVATED WITH THE VEHICLE DOOR OPEN A SHORT CIRCUIT APPEARS WHICH CAUSES THE FUSE TO BLOW. *JB

NHTSA ID
10176940
Incident
Jan 25, 2004
Mileage
22,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 15, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE' S TAIL LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL STOPPED OPERATING. THESE FAILURES WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (02V147000). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS USING DEDUCTIVE REASONING TO ASSUME THE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE MUST HAVE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. UPDATED 10/3/2006 - THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT EH PROBLEM WAS NOT WITH THE BULBS OR FUSES. THE REPLACEMENT FUSES WOULD BLOW IMMEDIATELY. *NM UPDATED 12/15/2006 - RECALL 02V147000: WIRING HARNESS ABRASION INDICATED THAT ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ROUTING OF THE VEHICLE'S FRONT WIRING HARNESS COULD ALLOW IT TO COME IN CONTACT WITH A ROUGH EDGE, CAUSING ABRASION.

NHTSA ID
10168404
Incident
Sep 15, 2006
Electrical
Filed Jun 7, 2006
Fire reported1 injury reported

2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR CAUGHT ON FIRE LOCKING THE WINDOWS AND DOORS. *KB WHEN THE FIRE ERUPTED IT BURNED THE RIGHT LEG OF THE PASSENGER. THE PASSENGER ALSO SPRAINED HER RIGHT ANKLE TRYING TO BREAK OUT THE WINDOW. *NM

NHTSA ID
10160510
Incident
Jul 11, 2005
Electrical
Filed Dec 14, 2005
Fire reported

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE FRONT RIGHT PANEL. AFTER HE PULLED OVER AND EXITED THE VEHICLE A FIRE ERUPTED FROM THE FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR PANEL. THE CONTACT SAID IT LOOKED LIKE A WIRE SHORTED OUT WHICH CAUSED THE SPEAKER TO CATCH ON FIRE. UPON INSPECTION BY THE DEALER, THEY CONCLUDED THE FIRE WAS CAUSE BY A SHORT IN THE WIRING. *AK

NHTSA ID
10145184
Incident
Dec 12, 2005
Mileage
60,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 14, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 02V147000 CONCERNING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10145168
Incident
Nov 15, 2005
Mileage
40,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 12, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATED CAR HAS BEEN STALLING FOR SEVERAL YEARS. WHEN SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY TOLD HER THE PROBLEM EMERGED BECAUSE OF LOW MAINTENANCE ON THE CAR. SHE TOOL VEHICLE FOR SERVICE, BUT NOT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT WAS TOO EXPENSIVE. SINCE 3-2003 WATER LEAKED INTO THE CAR. WATER BUILD UP INSIDE OF THE CAR FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER. ALSO, HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. WHEN THE WATER ACCUMULATED IN THE CAR IT WILL LOCK ON ITS OWN. THE AIR CONDITIONER WILL NOT COME ON SOMETIMES. THERE WAS MOLD IN THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE WATER. THE CAR SEAT WAS SOAKED FROM THE WATER. ON 9-3-05, AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, SHE PICKED IT UP AND THE WATER BUILT UP IN THE CAR AGAIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10136179
Incident
Sep 3, 2005
Electrical
Filed Aug 12, 2005
Fire reported1 injury reported

DT: ON 7-11-05 THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. DRIVER AND PASSENGER DROVE ON AND OFF ALL DAY. THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR BURST INTO FLAMES. THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED, AND THE WINDOWS ROLLED UP AND DOWN ON THEIR OWN. DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO KICK THE DOOR OPEN. BOTH PASSENGERS EXITED THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE. AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE THE PASSENGER GOT A GALLON OF WATER TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. WHEN SHE POURED WATER ONTO THE PASSENGER'S DOOR THE FIRE WENT OUT, BUT THERE WAS STILL SMOKE COMING FROM THE DOOR. THE FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AREA AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE HEATING VENTS. PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED WITH THE HEATER OFF. ON THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT WHEN SHE GOT A CD OUT OF THE STEREO IT WAS TOO HOT TO HOLD. AFTER THE INCIDENT THE CD IN THE STEREO WAS WET. THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. THE PASSENGER HAD TO BE HOSPITALIZED, AND WAS UNDER TREATMENT FOR DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY. THERE WAS A COURT PETITION TO HAVE HER HOSPITALIZED IN THE FORENSIC WARD. POLICE TRANSPORTED HER TO ANOTHER HOSPITAL AND HAD SECURITY GUARDS ESCORT HER. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED SECOND DEGREE BURNS ON HER LEG. SHE CONTACTED MITSUBISHI AND THE INSURANCE AGENCY. *AK *JB

NHTSA ID
10130143
Incident
Jul 11, 2005
Mileage
64,895 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 8, 2005

THE FLASHERS OF MY 2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT FAIL TO WORK. I HAVE CHANGED OUT THE FUSE SEVERAL TIMES ONLY FOR THE FLASHERS TO FAIL IN LESS THAN A MONTH. THE PROBLEM IN ITSELF IS NOT ABSOLUTE. I HAVE RAN OVER A ROUGH AREA ON THE ROAD AND THE FLASHERS HAVE STARTED WORKING AGAIN, BUT ONLY FOR ONE WEEK. I CALLED MITSUBISHI (800-222-0037) ON 8 AUG 2005 @1:30PM AT WHICH TIME I GAVE THEM MY NAME, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER AND VIN [XXX]. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL IN THEIR DATA BASE FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. I FOUND INFORMATION ON THE NHTSA SITE (RECALL ID: 02V147000) AT WHICH TIME I CALLED TO GET MORE INFORMATION AND WAS ADVISED TO SUBMIT A COMPLAINT.*JB UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
10131974
Incident
Aug 8, 2005
Mileage
100,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 7, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THEN THE ENGINE COMMENCED TO MAKE A POPPING NOISE. VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY, AND THEN PULLED TO CONSUMER'S HOME. CONSUMER STATED ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS BLEW OUT. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10103227
Incident
Dec 3, 2004
Mileage
77,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 21, 2004

TWO WEEKS AGO AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK, MY GALANT SIMPLY STOPPED MOVING. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. AFTER TURNING IT OFF AND RESTARTING IT SEVERAL TIMES, I DID GET TO WORK AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT. THEY KEPT IT FOR 24 HOURS, DROVE IT, RAN SOME TESTS AND TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE SAME THING HAPPENED YESTERDAY, BUT IT STOPPED MOVING FIVE TIMES BEFORE I COULD FINALLY GET TO WORK. AGAIN I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY HAD IT FOR 30 HOURS; SAME RESULTS. I FEEL LIKE I'M DRIVING A TICKING BOMB--I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR-ENDED ANY OF THE TIMES WHEN THE CAR JUST STOPPED MOVING. I NEED SOMEONE TO FIND OUT WHAT'S WRONG AND FIX MY CAR. *JB

NHTSA ID
10058622
Incident
Feb 19, 2004
Mileage
15,200 mi

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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