NHTSA vehicle safety data

1997 Mitsubishi Galant Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 1997 Mitsubishi Galant has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 80 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 1997 Mitsubishi Galant, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

1997 Mitsubishi Galant owner complaints

Owners have filed 80 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant, describing incidents dated February 3, 1997 to August 16, 2023.

Most-cited components

Suspension 17 complaints
Power Train 15 complaints
Service Brakes 13 complaints
Engine 10 complaints
Electrical System 9 complaints
Steering 9 complaints

Of the 80 complaints on file, 9 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 80 complaints, owners report 7 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11539015 · Filed August 16, 2023
The contact owns a 1997 Mitsubishi Galant. The contact stated that after stopping at a service station, after entering and restarting the vehicle, the driver’s, and passenger’s side air bags independently deployed. The contact stated that the windshield on the passenger side was cracked by the air…
ODI #10899397 · Filed August 30, 2016
I PURCHASED A USED CAR IN 2004. LATER WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE BALLJOINT RECALL, THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO GET INVOLVE IN ASSISTING ME IN PURSUING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I HAD PURCHASED WITH THE CAR REGARDING OTHER CRITICAL ISSUES WITH THE DRIVABILITY OF THE VEHICLE. THIS…
ODI #10481062 · Filed October 18, 2012
I WAS AT A STOP SIGN AND I PRESSED ON THE GAS, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR JUST STOPPED MOVING. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, SHUT IT OFF, TURNED IT BACK ON, SHIFTED IT INTO DRIVE, AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE, IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS STUCK IN NEUTRAL. IT HAS NOT MOVED EVER SINCE. *TR

Read all 80 complaints

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 – June 30, 1999 (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).

1997 Mitsubishi Galant 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 3, Passenger: 2

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

80 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant.

Air Bags

ODI #11539015

1 injury

Incident: August 16, 2023 · Filed: August 16, 2023

The contact owns a 1997 Mitsubishi Galant. The contact stated that after stopping at a service station, after entering and restarting the vehicle, the driver’s, and passenger’s side air bags independently deployed. The contact stated that the windshield on the passenger side was cracked by the air bag. The contact stated he was injured by the driver's side air bag. The contact stated that he suffered deep abrasions on his nose and his lips were bruised. The contact stated that his glasses fractured, and his right eye was bruised. The contact was transported to an emergency room by ambulance. The contact stated that the vehicle was left at service station. The police were not contacted. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 375,461.

Suspension

ODI #10899397

Incident: April 4, 2004 · Filed: August 30, 2016

I PURCHASED A USED CAR IN 2004. LATER WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE BALLJOINT RECALL, THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO GET INVOLVE IN ASSISTING ME IN PURSUING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I HAD PURCHASED WITH THE CAR REGARDING OTHER CRITICAL ISSUES WITH THE DRIVABILITY OF THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN JUMKED WHICH I EVENTUALLY ENDED UP DOING. THE VEHICLE WAS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY AND I ONLY DROVE IT ON CITY STREETS ONLY. THE DEALERSHIP I BELIEVE SHOULD HAVE GIVEN ME A LOANER CAR INSEAD OF ME RISKING MYSELF IN A DANGEROUS VEHICLE. THE WYNN'S EXTENDED WARRANTY SHOULD HAVE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE ASSISTED ME MORE IN PURSUING THE CORRECT REPAIR OF THIS VEHICLE WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN SALVAGED FROM A PREVIOUS ACCIDENT. RIGHT NOW I AM OUT OF $1000 WARRANTY AND A VEHICLE PURCHASED AT $5000. YOU WILL HAVE TO HOLD THE WARRANTY WYNN;S OR THE BUSINESS THAT SOLD ME THE VEHICLE RESPONSIBLE. THIS BUSINESS TRIED TO WELD THE TRANSMISSION CASING BROKEN IN THE ACCIDENT BACK WHICH I LATER FOUND OUT AT ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP. THIS DOESN'T LOOK GOOD FOR THE REPUTATION OF THE COMPANY OR THE BRAND. ANY RECOURSE DO I OR NHTSA HAVE AGAINST THE MANUFACTURER. THE DEALER IS OUT OF BUSINESS

Power Train; Engine

ODI #10481062

Incident: October 11, 2012 · Filed: October 18, 2012

I WAS AT A STOP SIGN AND I PRESSED ON THE GAS, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR JUST STOPPED MOVING. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, SHUT IT OFF, TURNED IT BACK ON, SHIFTED IT INTO DRIVE, AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE, IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS STUCK IN NEUTRAL. IT HAS NOT MOVED EVER SINCE. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages

ODI #10295783

Incident: December 14, 2009 · Filed: December 15, 2009

DEFECTIVE REAR DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLIES; BOTH SIDES. I HAVE REPLACED WITH OTHER USED PARTS AND THOSE PARTS CONSISTENTLY FAILED TOO. I HAVE FOUND FOUR ASSEMBLIES, ON OTHER USED GALANTS, AND THEY HAVE ALL FAILED. I AM AWARE THAT NEW PARTS WOULD HAVE BEEN IDEAL, HOWEVER I BELIEVE THAT IF THESE PARTS WERE MANUFACTURED TO MITSUBISHI'S USUALLY HIGH STANDARDS, THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN FINE. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages

ODI #10273515

Incident: April 20, 2009 · Filed: June 11, 2009

DOOR LATCHES HAVE FLOWN OPEN OR UNLATCHED BY THEM SELVES WHILE DRIVING ON BOTH REAR DOORS. THE REAR DOOR DO NOT STAY CLOSED ANYMORE. PASSENGERS COULD HAVE FALLEN OUT OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

Seat Belts

ODI #10251475

Incident: November 8, 2008 · Filed: December 11, 2008

I HAVE A 1997 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE SEATBELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WILL NOT STAY LOCKED. IT COMES OFF WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I CALLED TWO MITSUBISHI DEALERS IN VIRGINIA BEACH AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY. I THOUGHT SEATBELTS LASTED THE LIFETIME OF THE CAR. CAN YOU TELL ME HOW TO GO ABOUT GETTING THIS FIXED. I HAVE TWO CHILDREN WHO RIDE WITH ME DAILY AND WOULD HATE FOR AN ACCIDENT TO HAPPEN AND MY KIDS HAVE TO WITNESS THEIR MOM GO THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD DUE TO UNSAFE SEATBELT. *TR

Suspension

ODI #10249371

Incident: September 21, 2006 · Filed: November 20, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI GALANT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD CONSTANTLY PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A COLLISION SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SHOCK TOWER AND WHEEL WELL WALL WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. METAL WAS WELDED TO REINFORCE THE SHOCK TOWER. APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS LATER, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SHOCK TOWER AND WHEEL WELL WALL RUSTED THROUGH WITH MORE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10238934

Incident: August 13, 2008 · Filed: August 19, 2008

LEFT TURN SIGNAL SWITCH STUCK ON FLASHING AND WOULD NOT SHUT OFF AFTER CANCELING. *TR

Suspension

ODI #10219998

Incident: December 1, 2007 · Filed: March 4, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE IN PIECES. THE VEHICLE IS STEERING TO THE LEFT EXTREMELY BADLY AND THE CONTACT HEARS METAL RUBBING TOGETHER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V421001 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT). THE PURCHASE DATE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. UPDATED 03-25-08 *BF THE FAILURE WAS NOT OBVIOUS TO SPIN INVESTIGATION UNTIL 84,000 FAILURE HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT AT LOW SPEED. UPDATED 03/25/08 *TR

Suspension

ODI #10216860

Incident: February 2, 2008 · Filed: February 4, 2008

TOOK MY 1997 MITSUBISHI TO CHERRY HILL TRIPLEX DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED MY FRONT LATERAL ARMS REPLACED; THAT THEY WERE ABOUT TO FALL OFF. I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR A YEAR; THAT'S NOT DAMAGE I COULD DO IN A YEAR. I WANT TO REQUEST THAT MITSUBISHI COVERS THE COST OR REIMBURSES ME FOR THIS SIGNIFICANT DEFECT. *TR

Other Mitsubishi Galant model years

Check your 1997 Mitsubishi Galant VIN

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