RoadVitals

2003 Mitsubishi Galant Brakes Problems

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

Data refreshed

Brakes 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.
14
Latest Dec 28, 2013
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.
11%
of 126 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.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Mitsubishi Galant submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 14 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 brake

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

Brakes
Filed Dec 28, 2013

AFTER REPLACING FRONT/REAR BRAKE PADS, CALIPERS, AND ROTORS PLUS APPLYING THE PROPER LUBRICANT BRAKES NOT ONLY STILL SQUEAL BUT I AM HAVING OCCASIONAL GRINDING MAINLY COMING FROM THE FRONT DISC. HAVE HAD THEM INSPECTED BY MULTIPLE MECHANICS. THEY SAID EVERYTHING LOOKED FINE. DIAGNOSIS HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED NOT ONLY BY MECHANICS BUT APPARENTLY BY MITSUBISHI. THIS IS MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION AFTER JUST HAVING TO LEASE THIS VEHICLE TO FIND OUT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE THAT HAS NOT HAD ATTENTION FROM MITSUBISHI. I HAVE ALWAYS OWNED AMERICAN MADE VEHICLES BECAUSE OF TOO MANY FEARS FROM FOREIGN MANUFACTURES. I CHOSE THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE MITSUBISHI HAS GREAT DESIGNS. AS FOR PRODUCING A RECALL FOR THIS VERY KNOWN PROBLEM. IT SEEMS LIKE PRODUCING THIS RECALL WOULD ONLY PUT MITSUBISHI FURTHER IN DEBT. IF HONOR IS WHAT YOUR CULTURE LIVE BY, THEN HONOR THIS MISTAKE BEFORE MANY LIVES ARE LOST. *TR

NHTSA ID
10557571
Incident
Nov 4, 2013
Mileage
107,000 mi
BrakesSuspension
Filed Aug 6, 2012

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER LEFT /RIGHT FRONT SIDE TIRES ARE DISFUNCTIONAL WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE I HERE THE BEARINGS POPPING AND THE TIRES ALSO DIS FUNCTIONAL AND THE THIS CAR IS BURNING A LOT OF OIL THE DEALER SHIP WHERE I'M BUYING IT FROM SAID EVERYTHING WAS WORKING FINE THE CAR WAS WELL TAKING CARE OF THE BELT ON THE CAR IS CRACKED IT HASN'T HAD A TUNE UP AT ALL THE AIR CONDITIONER ISN'T BLOWING OUT COLD AIR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10469289
Incident
Aug 5, 2012
Mileage
15,229 mi
BrakesElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Aug 19, 2008
Crash reported

IN 2007, HORN WOULD JUST BLOW ON IT'S OWN AT RANDOM TIMES. EVEN THOUGH THE BATTERY WAS ONLY ONE YEAR OLD AT THE TIME, I REPLACED IT AGAIN. LAST WEEK, 8/09/08 THE HORN JUST STARTED BLARING AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. IT NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT DUE TO ANOTHER CAR SWERVING OUT OF THE LANE NEXT TO MY VEHICLE AND INTO MY REAR DRIVER'S SIDE QUARTER-PANEL. SINCE THE FIRST INSTANCE, THERE SEEMS TO BE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, AS THE RADIO AND CLOCK ALWAYS RESET, THE TRIP ODOMETER RESETS TO ZERO, AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. THERE ARE NO BLOWN FUSES, AND NO DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. NO ONE OR BUSINESS CAN SEEM TO FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. IT WILL TAKE OVER $5000 TO REWIRE THE CAR. AS A WORKING CLASS CITIZEN, AND UNEMPLOYED VETERAN, I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY, NOR ACCESS TO IT. I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH WARPING ON THE ROTORS (TWICE). *TR

NHTSA ID
10238826
Incident
Aug 9, 2008
Mileage
45,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 16, 2007

BOUGHT 2003 GALANT NEW. WITH 54,000 JUST REPLACED BRAKE ROTORS FOR THE 2ND TIME. BRAKES STILL GOOD, BUT ROTORS WARPED, CAUSING WHEEL SHIMMY WHEN BRAKING AND TIRE CUPPING. *AK

NHTSA ID
10190966
Incident
May 12, 2007
BrakesEngine
Filed Apr 12, 2007

I PURCHASED A 2003 MITSUBISHI GALANT IN DECEMBER 2002. SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR THE BRAKES AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED EVERY YEAR. ALSO, THERE IS A HUGE LIST OF OTHER PARTS AND REPLACEMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN DONE; THE MOST RECENTLY TIMING BELT, WATER PUMP, VALVE COVER AND GASKET, HEATER HOT WATER CONTROL, VALVE, THERMOSTAT FOR COOLING SYSTEM, ETC. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 44,000 MILES, AND IT WORKS AS IF IT HAS OVER 200,000 MILES.*AK

NHTSA ID
10187647
Incident
Dec 27, 2002
Brakes
Filed Jul 25, 2006

BRAKE ROTOR GETTING WARPED CAUSING VIBRATIONS, MACHINED(LATHE) EACH TIME AND I WANTED NEW ROTORS. IT HAPPENED AT AROUND 18,000 AND 9 MONTHS LATER 24,000 SAME PROBLEM. THE THIRD TIME AT AROUND 32,000 THEY BLAMED ME FOR THE CAUSES FROM POOR DRIVING,NON ROTATION OF TIRES,TORQUE OF WHEELS, ETC. I AM THE DRIVER MOST OF THE TIME OF THIS CAR SINCE IT'S THE NEWEST OF 5 CARS AND I AM THE MOST EXPERIENCED. I NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH MY HONDA,SUBARU,TOYOTA, AND MAZDA. I SPOKE TO MITSUBISHI CUSTOMER RELATIONS OFFICERS TO NO AVAIL. THEY INSIST IT IS WEARABLE ITEM AND IT'S NOT COVERED ALTHOUGH THE FIRST TIME THE OFFICER TOLD ME WHEN I ASKED FOR NEW ROTOR THEY WILL DO IT THE NEXT TIME SINCE IT WAS JUST TURNED(LATHE). BUT THE SECOND TIME THEY DENY TELLING ME THAT AND WANTED ME TO PAY THE DEALER TO HAVE IT OPENED AND HAVE IT INSPECTED. I JUST LEFT, WHY PAY THEM FOR WHAT I FEEL A WARRANTY ISSUE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10163385
Incident
Sep 2, 2004
Brakes
Filed Nov 21, 2005
Crash reported

I PURCHASED MY CAR ON AUGUST 10. 2005, AT APPROXIMATELY 32,000 MILES. ON NOVEMBER 8, 2005 I WAS DRIVING ON I-285. I WENT TO APPLY MY BRAKES, BUT MY CAR FAILED TO STOP, AND SKIDDED FOR UP TO A MINUTE. ON NOVEMBER 11, 2005, I HAD MY CAR SERVICED AT THE MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP. IT WAS STATED THAT MY BACK BRAKES, WERE NOT WORKING AND NEEDED ADJUSTING, CAUSING THE FRONT BRAKES TO HAVE TO DO ALL THE WORK. THIS IS TURN CAUSED THE FRONT ROTORS TO OVERHEAT AND BECOME WARPED. THE DEALERSHIP TURNED THE FRONT ROTORS, AND ADJUSTED THE BACK. ONE WEEK LATER ON NOVEMBER 18, 2005, I WAS DRIVING ON DONALD LEE HOLLOWELL PARKWAY, WHEN A DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON HER BRAKES. I IN TURN PUT ON MINE BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP AND SKIDDED INTO THE BACK OF HER CAR, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *NM

NHTSA ID
10143404
Incident
Nov 18, 2005
Mileage
35,200 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 11, 2005

MY CAR HAD AROUND 11,000 MILES ON IT (2003 MITSUBISHI GALANT ES) WHEN THE BRAKES STARTED TO MAKE A THUMPING NOISE. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE BRAKES ARE STILL FINE, BUT THE BRAKES PUT ON IN THE FACTORY ARE CHEAP BRAKES AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH GALANT'S ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I HAVE 12,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND THE NOISE IS GETTING WORSE. IF MY BRAKES ARE STILL GOOD, WHAT IS GOING ON? *NM

NHTSA ID
10139280
Incident
Oct 10, 2005
Brakes
Filed Mar 30, 2005

WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES SQUEAK VERY BADLY. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP. SHE WAS TOLD THAT THE AIR PRESSURE WAS VERY LOW AND THAT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY MOISTURE. *AK *NM

NHTSA ID
10115042
Incident
Feb 1, 2005
Brakes
Filed Sep 16, 2004

I HAVE A 2003 GALANT THAT I PURCHASED USED AT 16000 MILES. I HAVE HAD IT FOR ONLY 6 MONTHS AND HAVE PUT 5000 MILES ON IT. RIGHT AFTER I BOUGHT IT THE BRAKES STARTED SQUEALING PULSING. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP WHO SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. THEY CONTINUED TO GET WORSE SO I HAD THEM INSPECT THEM AT THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN WITH MY 2ND OIL CHANGE. THEY SAID I NEEDED ALL NEW BRAKES. HOW COULD I NEED ALL NEW BRAKES IN LESS THAN 3000 MILES? THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG HERE. I WON'T PAY THEM THE 300.00 THEY WANT FOR THIS. I WILL TAKE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE AND HAVE IT DONE CHEAPER, BUT I DON'T THINK I SHOULD BE OUT ANY MONEY AT ALL FOR WHAT SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT. *JB

NHTSA ID
10091132
Incident
Sep 16, 2004
Mileage
16,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 23, 2004

THE REAR BRAKE CYLINDERS ON THE 2003 MITSUBISHI GALANT ARE LEAKING. *MR *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10083756
Incident
Jul 1, 2004
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Apr 8, 2004
Crash reported

WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THEY FAILED TO RESPOND WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HIT A GUARDRAIL. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED IN AUG OF 2003 AND THE CONSUMER WA TOLD THE ROTORS WERE BAD. THREE MONTHS LATER THE ROTORS WENT BAD AGAIN AND THE DEALER MACHINED THEM AND TWO DAYS LATER THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB

NHTSA ID
10052236
Incident
Dec 12, 2003
Brakes
Filed Oct 3, 2003

THE VEHICLES BRAKES SQUEAKED WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKES WERE FINE AND THAT IT WAS NORMAL FOR THE BRAKES TO SQUEAK. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10042291
Mileage
7,834 mi
BrakesFuel systemOther / unspecified+1 more
Filed Jul 1, 2003

I HAVE A '03 MITSUBISHI GALANT (AUTOMATIC) WHICH NOW HAS APPROX 8000 MILES. AT APPROX. 4500 MILES THE VEHICLE BEGAN HESITATING UPON HARD ACCELERATION, SUCH AS WHEN ENTERING A FREEWAY. THE VEHICLE ALSO HESITATES WHILE DRIVING IN "STOP AND GO" TRAFFIC, SUCH AS WHAT IS DONE WITH IN-TOWN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. AT FIRST I BELIEVED I HAD FILLED THE GAS TANK WITH BAD GASOLINE. THE VEHICLE ACTED LIKE IT HAD A CLOGGED FUEL FILTER/LINE. I CONTINUED DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHILE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. A WARNING LIGHT FINALLY CAME ON AND I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT ON 6/9/03. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR APPROX 3 WEEKS TO MAKE THE REPAIRS. DIAGNOSIS: INTERNAL TRANS FAILURE UPON INSPECTION FOURND 4TH GEAR CLUTCH PAST CLEARANCE OUT OF SPEC AND CLUTCHES BURNED. REPLACED 4TH GEAR CLUTCHES AND RESET SNAP RING CLEARANCE. INSP 2ND BRAKE PISTON AND REPLACED O-RINGS. REMOVED VALVE BODY. INSP AND FOUND CHECK BALL WEARING THROUGH SEPARATOR PLATE. REPLACED VALVE BODY SEPARATOR PLATE. REPLACE SEAL FROM VALVE BODY TO 2ND BRAKE. I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE 6/27/03. AFTER DRIVING FOR ONE DAY, I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. WHEN TRYING TO GET ONTO A FREEWAY AND/OR MANUEVERING THROUGH IN TOWN TRAFFIC, THIS VEHICLE IS POSING A HAZARD FOR MYSELF AND/OR OTHER DRIVERS. I WILL RETURN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AS SOON AS I DETERMINE WHAT MY OPTIONS ARE. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS OR TO LET ME KNOW IF I NEED TO REPORT THIS TO ANOTHER AGENCY. THANKS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10025249
Incident
Jun 9, 2003
Mileage
8,100 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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .