NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 86 owner complaints for the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant. Most complaints involve suspension (19) and power train (16). The EPA rates it 20–23 mpg combined.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Galant model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 144 |
| 1997 | 86 |
| 1998 | 57 |
| 1999 | 218 |
| 2000 | 139 |
| 2001 | 161 |
| 2002 | 142 |
| 2003 | 139 |
| 2004 | 61 |
| 2005 | 26 |
| 2006 | 24 |
| 2007 | 24 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 16 |
| 2010 | 9 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 9 |
“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…”
“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”
“THE BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE BRAKES SEEM TO MAKE A POPPING NOISE WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURN. I HAVE TO APPLY BRAKES AT A FAR DISTANCE TO PREVENT FROM RUNNING INTO OTHER VEHICLES. THE PROBLEM HAS EXISTED FOR AWHILE AND NOTED TO SERVICE DEALERSHIP ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. IN ADDITION, NOISE CAN BE HEARD FROM THE GAS TANK WHEN BRAKING. YOU CAN HEAR THE GAS SHAKING FROM IN THE TANK. THIS IS A CONCERN WHEN TRANSPORTING PASSENGERS IN THE REAR COMPARTMENT. DON'T KNOW IF THE TANK WILL EVENTUALLY EXPLODE OR IGNITE A FIRE. *NLM”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galant Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 23 | $2,700 | 386 |
| Galant Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | $2,850 | 404 |
| Galant Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,100 | 444 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
2 safety recalls as of Nov 7, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 86 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (19), power train (16), service brakes, hydraulic (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant at 20–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).