NHTSA vehicle safety data

1998 Mitsubishi Galant Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 1998 Mitsubishi Galant has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 52 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 1998 Mitsubishi Galant, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

1998 Mitsubishi Galant owner complaints

Owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Mitsubishi Galant, describing incidents dated March 26, 1998 to January 9, 2013.

Most-cited components

Power Train 12 complaints
Service Brakes 12 complaints
Suspension 8 complaints
Electrical System 5 complaints
Engine 4 complaints
Structure 3 complaints

Of the 52 complaints on file, 3 report a crash; across all 52 complaints, owners report 3 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10493837 · Filed January 22, 2013
ON JAN. 9, 2013, WHILE I WAS BACKING UP MY MITSUBISHI GALANT 1998 (VIN # [XXX]) IN MY DRIVEWAY, I NOTICED THAT THE CAR STARTED MOVING ON ITS OWN AND I HAD TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. AFTER BACKING UP, WHEN I DROVE FORWARD, MY CAR SEEMED TO BE QUITE JUMPY AND WANTED TO LURCH FORWARDS. AT A TRAFFIC…
ODI #10427210 · Filed September 26, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NUT THAT HELD THE LOWER BALL JOINT BECAME LOOSE AND DETACHED, CAUSING THE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED THREE TIMES PRIOR FOR…
ODI #10228904 · Filed May 26, 2008
LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT BROKE CAUSED MY CAR TO CRASH INTO A PARKED VEHICLE AS I WAS DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. *TR

Read all 52 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).

1998 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

52 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Mitsubishi Galant.

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10493837

Incident: January 9, 2013 · Filed: January 22, 2013

ON JAN. 9, 2013, WHILE I WAS BACKING UP MY MITSUBISHI GALANT 1998 (VIN # [XXX]) IN MY DRIVEWAY, I NOTICED THAT THE CAR STARTED MOVING ON ITS OWN AND I HAD TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. AFTER BACKING UP, WHEN I DROVE FORWARD, MY CAR SEEMED TO BE QUITE JUMPY AND WANTED TO LURCH FORWARDS. AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ABOUT HALF A MILE FROM HOME, WHILE I WAS STOPPED, I NOTICED THAT THE CAR STARTED MOVING FORWARDS. I IMMEDIATELY SLAMMED HARD ON THE BRAKE. THIS WAS EXTREMELY UNUSUAL AND SCARY. LATER WHILE GOING DOWN A HILL, I COULD SENSE THAT THE CAR WAS AGAIN QUITE JUMPY AND WANTED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. I STOPPED AT A SHOP FOR SOMETHING AND THEN WHEN I GOT BACK TO THE CAR AND TURNED ON THE ENGINE AGAIN, I NOTICED THAT THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT HAD JUST COME ON. I FELT THAT THE CAR WAS NOT SAFE AND HAD IT TOWED TO KLAHANIE CHEVRON IN ISSAQUAH, WA, VERY CLOSE TO MY HOUSE. I WAS LATER INFORMED BY THEM THAT THE ??IDLE CONTROL MOTOR?? FOR MY CAR WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND DUE TO THIS I WAS EXPERIENCING ALL THESE CAR ??JUMPINESS?? ISSUES. THE ??IDLE CONTROL MOTOR?? WAS REPLACED AND NOW THE CAR APPEARS TO BE RUNNING FINE. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN MORE THAN UP TO DATE WITH MY CAR MAINTENANCE. THE BEHAVIOR OF THIS CAR IN WHICH THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN IS DANGEROUS AND MITSUBISHI ENGINEERS SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS FOR POSSIBLE RECALL\REMEDIATION, SINCE THIS CAN GREATLY ENDANGER THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IN THE CAR AND ANYBODY ELSE SHARING THE ROAD AT THAT TIME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Suspension

ODI #10427210

Incident: September 8, 2009 · Filed: September 26, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NUT THAT HELD THE LOWER BALL JOINT BECAME LOOSE AND DETACHED, CAUSING THE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED THREE TIMES PRIOR FOR THE SAME EXACT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THE PART FOR A LIFETIME HOWEVER, THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE PART WOULD BECOME LOOSE VERY EASILY. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Suspension

ODI #10228904

Crash 1 injury

Incident: May 25, 2008 · Filed: May 26, 2008

LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT BROKE CAUSED MY CAR TO CRASH INTO A PARKED VEHICLE AS I WAS DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. *TR

Suspension

ODI #10166554

Incident: August 24, 2006 · Filed: August 25, 2006

LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS FOUND TO HAVE A PROBLEM UPON INSPECTION BY A MECHANIC. *JB

Unknown or Other

ODI #10163181

Incident: June 1, 2004 · Filed: July 22, 2006

THE BLACK PAINT ON MY 1998 MITSUBISHI GALANT ES HAS WORN OFF IN AN A TYPICAL PATTERN. THE PAINT HAS COME OFF IN A GRID-LIKE FASHION - AS THOUGH A GIANT ACIDIC TIRE HAS ROLLED OVER IT. IT IS EFFECTING THE ROOF, HOOD AND TRUNK AREA OF THE CAR. I HAVE NOTICED OTHER MITSUBISHI GALANTS (AND ECLIPSES) OF THE SAME YEAR WITH SIMILAR PAINT PEELING PROBLEMS. *NM

Power Train

ODI #10145140

Incident: December 13, 2005 · Filed: December 13, 2005

WHEN YOU START THE CAR IT MAKES A LOAD NOISE UNTIL FULLY HEATED, AND THE TRANSMISSION IS PULLING AND MAKING NOISE, IT GETS STUCK IN GEAR AND WILL NOT MOVE TO NEXT GEAR, JUST STALLS AND THEN KICKS IN. FIRST IT WAS JUST SKIPPING GEARS FOR THE LAST FIVE DAYS SO I CHECKED THE FLUID IT ONLY COULD USE NOT EVEN A HALF OF COURT, I HAD NO WARNING LIGHT AT ALL UNTIL THE SIXTH NIGHT WHEN IT GOT STUCK IN GEAR AND STEERING TO CHANGE. *JB

Unknown or Other

ODI #10135749

Incident: June 1, 2004 · Filed: September 7, 2005

THE BLACK PAINT ON MY 1998 MISTUBISHI GALANT ES HAS WORN OFF IN AN A TYPICAL PATTERN. THE PAINT HAS COME OFF IN A GRID-LIKE FASHION - AS THOUGH A GIANT ACIDIC TIRE HAS ROLLED OVER IT. IT IS EFFECTING THE ROOF, HOOD AND TRUNK AREA OF THE CAR. I HAVE NOTICED OTHER MISTUBISHI GALANTS (AND ECLIPSES) OF THE SAME YEAR WITH SIMILAR PAINT PEELING PROBLEMS. *JB

Suspension

ODI #10067260

Incident: April 16, 2004 · Filed: April 16, 2004

IN NOVEMBER 2003, WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20 TO 25 MPH, FRONT PASSENGER TIRE FELL OFF, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT BALL JOINTS FAILED. IN APRIL 2004 CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER NOTICE CONCERNING BALL JOINT PROBLEM.*AK

Suspension

ODI #10065311

Incident: February 17, 2004 · Filed: March 11, 2004

BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED PRIOR TO CONSUMER RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE. *PH THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIRS. *NM

Suspension

ODI #10060994

Crash 1 injury

Incident: September 10, 2001 · Filed: February 23, 2004

THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER HAD DIFFICULTY WITH THE STEERING WHICH ENDED UP ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD CRASHING INTO AN EMBANKMENT. 3 YEARS AFTER ACCIDENT, CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON LOWER BALL JOINTS THAT COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF STEERING. *LA THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WAS INJURED AND FEELS THAT THE DEALER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES. RECALL#00V421001. *SC

Other Mitsubishi Galant model years

Check your 1998 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.

Check a Mitsubishi VIN