NHTSA vehicle safety data

1996 Mitsubishi Galant Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 1996 Mitsubishi Galant has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 135 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mitsubishi dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Mitsubishi Galant, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1996 Mitsubishi Galant owner complaints

Owners have filed 135 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Mitsubishi Galant, describing incidents dated January 1, 1996 to April 2, 2012.

Most-cited components

Power Train 32 complaints
Service Brakes 30 complaints
Air Bags 20 complaints
Suspension 19 complaints
Engine 13 complaints
Structure 12 complaints

Of the 135 complaints on file, 27 report a crash and 4 a fire; across all 135 complaints, owners report 23 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10456584 · Filed April 26, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS BEING PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE WHEN SHE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE DESTROYED AND WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO OPERATE. THE DAMAGE WAS BEYOND…
ODI #10352659 · Filed August 30, 2010
I CURRENTLY BOUGHT THE 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT FOR MY WIFE AND 11 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER. THE DEALER TOLD ME I NEEDED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT TO GET THE PULL AND SHAKE OUT OF MY FRONT END. I TOOK IT TO AN ALIGNMENT SHOP AND THE ASE MASTER TECH. TOLD ME MY CONTROL ARMS WERE BENT DUE TO CORROSION OF THE BALL…
ODI #10227632 · Filed May 13, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE, THE JACK WENT STRAIGHT THROUGH THE FRAME WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING LIFTED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A SHOP AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE RUST IN THE REAR SUBFRAME. THE CONTACT SOLD…

Read all 135 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1996 Mitsubishi Galant in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Recall Query RQ00-015: LOWER CONTRTOL ARM BALL JOINT
Closed April 20, 2001

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLIES/LEAKS

NHTSA #07E055000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump · NHTSA notice

Reported July 26, 2007 · AIRTEX PRODUCTS

Potentially affected: 222 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign FP072007-1 · Owners notified November 19, 2007

Defect description

CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLIES, P/N E7081H, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WALL OF THE FLARED FITTING OF THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT THICK ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE MATING THREADED FITTINGS FROM BOTTOMING OUT BEFORE AN ADEQUATE SEAL IS ACHIEVED. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION OF THE VEHICLE FUEL LINE AND THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLY.

Safety consequence

IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AIRTEX AUTOMOTIVE AT 800-880-3056.

Notes

AIRTEX RECALL NO. FP072007-1.THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER OR MITSUBISHI.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

MITSUBISHI AMERICA/LOWER BALL JOINT BOOT

NHTSA #00V421001 · Suspension — Front — Control Arm — Lower Ball Joint · NHTSA notice

Reported December 18, 2000 · MITSUBISHI AMERICA

Potentially affected: 567,432 vehicles

Owners notified April 2, 2001 · Vehicles built February 1, 1993 – March 31, 1998 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES.THE FIRST PHASE BEGAN APRIL 2, 2001, AND THE FINAL PHASE WILL BE COMPLETED ON SEPTEMBER 3, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AMERICA AT 1-888-MITSU-2001 (1-888-648-7820).ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

MITSUBISHI AMERICA/FUEL TANK

NHTSA #00V237000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported August 25, 2000 · MITSUBISHI AMERICA

Potentially affected: 10,000 vehicles

Owners notified September 25, 2000 · Vehicles built March 29, 1995 – August 1, 1995 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 25, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

MITSUBISHI/LOWER BALL JOINT BOOT

NHTSA #99V066001 · Suspension — Front — Control Arm — Lower Ball Joint · NHTSA notice

Reported April 5, 1999 · MITSUBISHI AMERICA

Potentially affected: 307,000 vehicles

Owners notified June 15, 1999 · Vehicles built March 18, 1993 – June 30, 1996 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 15, 1999. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

1996 Mitsubishi Galant 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 0, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

135 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Mitsubishi Galant.

Structure

ODI #10456584

Incident: April 2, 2012 · Filed: April 26, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS BEING PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE WHEN SHE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE DESTROYED AND WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO OPERATE. THE DAMAGE WAS BEYOND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 179,000.

Suspension

ODI #10352659

Incident: July 24, 2010 · Filed: August 30, 2010

I CURRENTLY BOUGHT THE 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT FOR MY WIFE AND 11 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER. THE DEALER TOLD ME I NEEDED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT TO GET THE PULL AND SHAKE OUT OF MY FRONT END. I TOOK IT TO AN ALIGNMENT SHOP AND THE ASE MASTER TECH. TOLD ME MY CONTROL ARMS WERE BENT DUE TO CORROSION OF THE BALL JOINT, HE THEN TOLD ME THERE WAS A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES AND IF I DON'T GET THE PROBLEM FIXED IT COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING. I DON'T THINK IT WOULD BE SAFE FOR MY WIFE TO LOSE STEERING WITH OUR INFANT DAUGHTER SO NOW I GOT BIGGER PROBLEMS THEN A TWENTY FIVE DOLLAR FRONT END ALIGNMENT. I'M UPSET AT THE DEALER FOR NOT INFORMING ME WITH THESE RECALLS NOT THE MANUFACTURE FOR MAKING THE BAD PART. PLEASE HELP BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. *TR

Structure

ODI #10227632

Incident: May 1, 2007 · Filed: May 13, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE, THE JACK WENT STRAIGHT THROUGH THE FRAME WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING LIFTED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A SHOP AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE RUST IN THE REAR SUBFRAME. THE CONTACT SOLD THE VEHICLE RATHER THAN HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Structure

ODI #10210794

Incident: June 1, 2007 · Filed: December 4, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY IS ATTACHED TO THE SUBFRAME, WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE BODY. THE ENTIRE PART IS EXTREMELY RUSTED AND PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM JACKING THE VEHICLE AND CHANGING THE TIRE. THE DEALER NOTIFIED THE CONTACT OF THIS FAILURE. THE FAILURE IS NOTICEABLE WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 162,000. UPDATED 01-11-08. *KB UPDATED 12/31/07 *TR

Structure

ODI #10209229

Incident: January 1, 2007 · Filed: November 17, 2007

THE REAR UNDERCARRIAGE OF MY 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT HAS SEVERE RUST DAMAGE TO THE POINT THAT YOU CANNOT EVEN JACK UP THE CAR AS THE JACK PENETRATES THEY SUB FRAME. THE STRUT FROM THE RIGHT REAR ALSO CAME LOOSE FROM THE TOWER. THE REAR WHEELS THAT ARE ATTACHED TO THE SUB FRAME ARE EXTREMELY UNSAFE. *TR

Structure

ODI #10181799

Incident: August 1, 2006 · Filed: February 6, 2007

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT. DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE CHECKS THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED RUST ON THE FRAME UNDER THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF EACH REAR WHEEL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 157000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155000. *AK UPDATED 2/27/2007 - *NM

Power Train

ODI #10124238

Incident: May 20, 2005 · Filed: June 5, 2005

TRANSMISSION FLUID DIPSTICK IMPOSSIBLE TO READ, NOTIFIED DEALER, DEALER SAID THAT'S JUST HOW IT IS DESIGNED. I'M WORRIED BECAUSE TRANMISSIONS ARE A COMMON FAILURE ON THIS GENERATION OF MITSUBISHI GALANT. CAN THIS BE CORRECTED BY A DIPSTICK REDESIGN?

Power Train

ODI #10114404

Incident: March 21, 2005 · Filed: March 21, 2005

THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION OF MY 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT SLIPS OUT OF GEAR AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND REENGAGES. CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS LOST WHEN THIS HAPPENS.*AK

Suspension

ODI #10091897

Incident: April 26, 2004 · Filed: September 13, 2004

AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL 00V421001, AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE NOT DEFECTIVE. CONSUMER LATER PURCHASED TIRES, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BALL JOINT HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY. *AK

Air Bags

ODI #10088286

Crash 3 injuries

Incident: July 30, 2004 · Filed: August 20, 2004

A TRUCK DROPPED SOME BOXES ON THE FREEWAY. A CAR STOPPED SUDDENLY TO AVOID THE BOXES, ANOTHER CAR HIT THEM, FINALLY WE HIT THAT CAR. IT WAS A 3 CAR PILEUP. I WAS DRIVING AND MY WIFE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. WE WERE THE LAST CAR IN THE LINE AND HIT AT ABOUT 45+ MPH. WE WERE IN A 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT WITH ONLY 78K MILES AND WE WERE BOTH WEARING OUR SEATBELTS. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED! IT WAS A DIRECT HIT RIGHT IN THE FRONT OF OUR CAR AT OVER 45 MPH. NOW MY WIFE MAY HAVE PERMANENT BACK PAIN. I CAN GET THE VIN NUMBER IF YOU NEED IT. I JUST DONT HAVE ACCESS TO IT TODAY.*AK

Other Mitsubishi Galant model years

Check your 1996 Mitsubishi Galant VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mitsubishi Galant at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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