IllustrationCONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET APPROXIMATELY 35MPH WITH FOOT ON GAS PEDAL. GAS PEDAL BECAME STUCK. VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE, DRIVER LOST CONTROL, AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. CONSUMER HAD INTERNAL INJURIES. *AK
1996 Mitsubishi Galant
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Galant years
Owner complaints for the 1996 Mitsubishi Galant are substantially higher than the model-year median of 26.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Galant years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 15 of 136 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
27 crash reports4 fire reports18 injury reports
What owners actually said
136 reportsBRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING AND A NOISE WHICH MAY CAUSE A CRASH. ALSO, ENGINE IDLES AND THE ACCELERATOR SCREECHES WHICH MAY CAUSE A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
THIS CAR HAS HAD 3 TRANSMISSIONS INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL,STILL HAS PROBLEMS.NOW THAT IT IS OVER WARRANTY MITSUBISHI SAYS NOT PROBLEM BUT ACCORDING TO TSB9823014 IT IS., AND OTHER BULLETINS.DEALER IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS!!! *AK
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE JAN 2000 AND DURING TEST DRIVE I HEARD A NOISE IN THE POWER STEERING. I REPORTED IT TO THE SALESMAN AT PHIL HUGHES HONDA. HE HAD HIS USED CAR MECHANIC TAKE A LOOK. THE MECHANIC WAS TO HAVE LUBRICATED IT. SECOND TRIP FOLLOWING WEEK AND MECHANIC LUBED AGAIN AND I WAS TOLD TO SOMETIME DROP BY THEIR MITSUBIS…
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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE JAN 2000 AND DURING TEST DRIVE I HEARD A NOISE IN THE POWER STEERING. I REPORTED IT TO THE SALESMAN AT PHIL HUGHES HONDA. HE HAD HIS USED CAR MECHANIC TAKE A LOOK. THE MECHANIC WAS TO HAVE LUBRICATED IT. SECOND TRIP FOLLOWING WEEK AND MECHANIC LUBED AGAIN AND I WAS TOLD TO SOMETIME DROP BY THEIR MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP DOWN THE ROAD AND HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT. I IMMEDIATELY WENT THERE AND THEY HAD TO TIGHTEN LOOSE BELTS THAT TWICE BEFORE WENT UNNOTICED BY THEIR ASSOCIATE DEALERSHIP USED CAR MECHANIC AT PHIL HUGHES HONDA. THE MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER WAS VERY HELPFUL AND ASSISTED ME BY FINDING THE PROBLEM AND CORRECTING IT. THERE IS AN OCCASIONAL SLIGHT SOUND THAT IS MILD THAT I WILL HAVE CHECKED OUT. *AK
RECALL 99V066001. DEALER IS TRYING TO CHARGE THE CONSUMER FOR RECALL SERVICE. *AK
VEHICLE PASSED MARYLAND STATE INSPECTION EARLIER THAT DAY, ONLY TO NOT BE ABLE TO MOVE IN REVERSE LATER. GEARSHIFT WENT INTO THE REVERSE POSITION EASILY, BUT CAR WOULD NOT MOVE, AND EMITTED A SCRAPING/HISSING SOUND. MITSUBISHI SERVICE CENTER IN ANNAPOLIS, MD SAYS THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR REPAIRS, BECAUSE WE CANNOT PRODUCE RECEIPT…
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VEHICLE PASSED MARYLAND STATE INSPECTION EARLIER THAT DAY, ONLY TO NOT BE ABLE TO MOVE IN REVERSE LATER. GEARSHIFT WENT INTO THE REVERSE POSITION EASILY, BUT CAR WOULD NOT MOVE, AND EMITTED A SCRAPING/HISSING SOUND. MITSUBISHI SERVICE CENTER IN ANNAPOLIS, MD SAYS THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR REPAIRS, BECAUSE WE CANNOT PRODUCE RECEIPTS/PAPERWORK TO SHOW ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN DONE. WE FEEL THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT FOR THIS TO OCCUR AT ONLY 47,000 MILES. *AK
MY WIFE WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, TRIED TO TAKE OFF, BUT NOTHING. TRANSMISSION WAS GONE. DEALER SAID THINGS SOMETIMES HAPPEN. MANUFACTURER SAID WARRANTY WAS OUT AT 60,000MI. ESTIMATE WAS AT $2600. SHOP SAID IT COULD NOT BE REBUILT. THEY TRIED TO BLAME ON US AND SAID IT WAS OVER FULL ON FLUID. WE'VE NEVER PUT ONE DRO…
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MY WIFE WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, TRIED TO TAKE OFF, BUT NOTHING. TRANSMISSION WAS GONE. DEALER SAID THINGS SOMETIMES HAPPEN. MANUFACTURER SAID WARRANTY WAS OUT AT 60,000MI. ESTIMATE WAS AT $2600. SHOP SAID IT COULD NOT BE REBUILT. THEY TRIED TO BLAME ON US AND SAID IT WAS OVER FULL ON FLUID. WE'VE NEVER PUT ONE DROP IN AND EVEN IF IT WAS OVER FULL IT WOULD NOT CAUSE TRANSMISSION TO SEIZE UP IN A MATTE OF SECONDS. WE HAD THE CAR FIVE MONTHS WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I AM VERY ANGRY AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MFG. FOR NOT DISCLOSING THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. WHEN I ASKED IF THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM THEY SAID, "OH, NO"! *AK
PURCHASED VEHICLE 10/16/199, IT HAD APPROX. 52,000 MILES, SINCE PURCHASE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN INSTALLED, AIR CONDITION REPAIRED AND NOW THERE IS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE HARMONIC BALANCE. *AK
ABS BRAKES WOULD MAING GRINDING,/QUEAKING NOISE WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & THE VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN. MECHANIC REPLACED ENTIRE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM. SIX MONTHS LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM REAPPEARED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH THE BALL JOINT CAME OUT OF JOINT, CAUSING THE AXLE TO BREAK. A RECALL WAS RECEIVED ON THE BALL JOINTS AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER PASSED THE VEHICLE OFF, STATING THAT THE SUSPENSION AND BALL JOINTS WERE OK. NOW WE ARE HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING BOTH MITSUBISHI AND/OR THE DEA…
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WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH THE BALL JOINT CAME OUT OF JOINT, CAUSING THE AXLE TO BREAK. A RECALL WAS RECEIVED ON THE BALL JOINTS AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER PASSED THE VEHICLE OFF, STATING THAT THE SUSPENSION AND BALL JOINTS WERE OK. NOW WE ARE HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING BOTH MITSUBISHI AND/OR THE DEALER THAT PASSED IT OFF TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY AFTER ANOTHER MECHANIC HAS SINCE CHECKED SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY BALL JOINT. *AK
Official recalls
300V421001 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
Dec 18, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, DIRT AND WATER CAN INTRUDE. ALSO, MMC HAS ADDED THE POTENTIAL OF LEAKING MOISTURE, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE BALL STUD TO CORRODE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS CAMPAIGN SUPERCEDES MMC'S PREVIOUS SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN, SEE 99V-066.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT FOR WEAR. BALL JOINTS THAT EXHIBIT WEAR BEYOND THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEWLY DESIGNED LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS. BALL JOINTS THAT ARE WITHIN THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE CLEANED AND A SPECIAL SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED TO PREVENT INTRUSION OF MOISTURE.
00V237000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
Aug 25, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CRACKS CAN OCCUR IN THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK DUE TO AN IMPROPER SPOT WELD ON THE BAFFLE PLATE TO THE TOP PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK COULD ALLOW FUEL OR FUMES TO ESCAPE. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE UPPER SURFACE OF THE FUEL TANK FOR ANY SIGNS OF CRACKING. IF NO CRACKING OR LEAKING IS FOUND, DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SEALING PROTECTOR PLATE. IF ANY CRACKING OR LEAKAGE IS FOUND, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY.
99V066001 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
Apr 5, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, DIRT AND WATER CAN INTRUDE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RUBBER BOOTS, AND IF THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THEY WILL REPLACE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM AND BALL JOINT ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1RQ00015 · Lower Contrtol Arm Ball Joint
Opened Aug 2, 2000 · Closed Apr 20, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (3)
Suspension
There is no summary currently available
Suspension
There is no summary currently available
Suspension
There is no summary currently available