NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 57 owner complaints for the 1998 Mitsubishi Galant. Most complaints involve power train (13) and service brakes, hydraulic (12). The EPA rates it 22–23 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 |
“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”
“AT 41,500 MILES I HAD A BASIC FRONT BRAKE JOB PERFORMED ON MY CAR DUE TO THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING SEVERELY WHILE BRAKING. APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS LATER I HAD THE ROTORS RESURFACED DUE TO THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING SEVERELY WHILE BRAKING. APPROXIMATELY 7 MONTHS AFTER THAT I HAD THE ROTORS RESURFACED AGAIN DUE TO THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING SEVERELY WHILE BRAKING. I HAVE CONTACTED MITSUBISHI FOR REIMBURSEMENT TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WILL NOT SINCE IT IS NOT A "SAFETY ISSUE". IT IS. HOW CAN MITSUBISHI SAY THIS ISN'T A "SAFETY ISSUE"? WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO GET A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM SO THAT LIVES DON'T HAVE TO BE LOST?*AK”
“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.”
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, 2.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,700 | 386 |
| Galant Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | $2,850 | 404 |
| 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 57 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (13), service brakes, hydraulic (12), suspension (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1998 Mitsubishi Galant at 22–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).