NHTSA vehicle safety data
2003 Mitsubishi Galant Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2003 Mitsubishi Galant has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 126 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 2003 Mitsubishi Galant, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2003 Mitsubishi Galant owner complaints
Owners have filed 126 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Mitsubishi Galant, describing incidents dated December 27, 2002 to March 26, 2022.
Most-cited components
- Visibility/Wiper 46 complaints
- Structure 21 complaints
- Engine 18 complaints
- Electrical System 17 complaints
- Service Brakes 14 complaints
- Air Bags 11 complaints
Of the 126 complaints on file, 15 report a crash and 4 a fire; across all 126 complaints, owners report 13 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11458494 · Filed
Check engine light suddenly came on and the vehicle lost all engine power and driving capabilities while driving at a low speed, turning a corner. There had been no other issues or indication of a failure of any kind. The car was pulled over on the roadside out of traffic and was able to be…
ODI #11390079 · Filed
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR QUIT ON ME WHEN I WAS DRIVING IT
ODI #10777954 · Filed
FREQUENT CLOGGING OF A/C DRAIN AND DRAINAGE INTO DRIVER SIDE FOOT HOLD. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS UNABLE TO CLEAN DRAIN TUBE AT THIS POINT. THE CAR IS NOT PARKED UNDER OR NEAR TREES.
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2003 Mitsubishi Galant in 2 investigations. 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.
- Engineering Analysis EA08-011: PASSENGER DOOR FIRE
Closed August 21, 2009
- Preliminary Evaluation PE08-014: PASSENGER DOOR FIRE
Closed July 1, 2008
FMVSS 108/REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS/AMBER REFLECTOR
NHTSA #09E025000 · Exterior Lighting — Headlights · NHTSA notice
Reported May 11, 2009 · DOPE, INC.
Potentially affected: 42,540 vehicles
Owners notified July 28, 2009
Defect description
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Safety consequence
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Notes
THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER.IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF YOUR AFTERMARKET LAMP ASSEMBLY IS AFFECTED BY THIS NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE REVIEW THE LIST OF MODEL NUMBERS PROVIDED TO US BY DOPE, INC.THE LIST CAN BE FOUND UNDER "DOCUMENT SEARCH" LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN/FMVSS 208/AIR BAG LABEL
NHTSA #04V428000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice
Reported September 1, 2004 · MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN
Potentially affected: 100,432 vehicles
Vehicles built May 1, 1998 – January 31, 2001 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Safety consequence
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Manufacturer remedy
MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.
Notes
THE MANUFACTURER'S PETITION WHICH REQUESTED THAT NHTSA DETERMINE THIS FMVSS NONCOMPLIANCE DOES NOT CREATE AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY WAS PARTIALLY DENIED ON JANUARY 26, 2005. THEREFORE, THIS MANUFACTURER IS OBLIGATED TO CONDUCT AN OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY CAMPAIGN.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236.
MITSUBISHI/FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE
NHTSA #03V442000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump · NHTSA notice
Reported November 4, 2003 · MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Potentially affected: 17,087 vehicles
Owners notified December 3, 2003 · Vehicles built June 11, 2003 – August 26, 2003 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE RESTRICTED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN A LEAK IN THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.
Safety consequence
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP PRESSURE. THOSE VEHICLES EXHIBITING HIGHER THAN NORMAL FUEL PUMP PRESSURE WILL RECEIVE FUEL PUMP MODIFICATIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN DECEMBER 3, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037 OR MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-800-981-0452.
Notes
CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Other Mitsubishi Galant model years
Check your 2003 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