NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 161 owner complaints for the 2001 Mitsubishi Galant. Most complaints involve air bags (32) and service brakes, hydraulic (28). The EPA rates it 20–21 mpg combined.
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.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A BULGE IN THE FUEL TANK CAUSED BY THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS RESULTED IN THINNING OF THE MATERIAL DURING A WELDING OPERATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF FUEL LEAKAGE.
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 HAVE HAD REPEATED INCIDENTS WHERE MY HORN WILL SOUND DURING THE NIGHT, AND IF I WAS USING IT AS A WARNING TO ANOTHER DRIVER. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES, AND I WAS FINALLY TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG IS PROBABLY WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. NOW MY HORN DOESN'T SOUND AT ALL AND THIS POSES A SAFETY HAZARD TO ME, MY CHILDREN AND ANY OTHER PASSENGERS AS WELL AS OTHER DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS. *TR”
“RIGHT REAR TIRE HIT HOLE OR BUMP IN PARKING. ACTIVATED ANTI-LOCK BRAKING FOR FIRST TIME SINCE BUYING CAR IN 2001. LOST STEERING CONTROL AT SAME TIME. COULDN'T TURN IT. STOPPED BEFORE ENTERING HIGHWAY. PUT CAR IN PARK; THEN DRIVE AND SLOWLY TOOK OFF. STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. DANGEROUS SITUATION IF I WAS IN TRAFFIC OR MEETING ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT PARKING LOCK. FAINT ODOR OF FUEL. NO OBVIOUS LEAK ON GROUND. *TR”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT OPERATE IN THE DRIVE AND REVERSE POSITION. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A LEAKAGE AND SMOKE WAS ALSO PRESENT COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY OCCUR WHEN ENGINE TEMPERATURE WAS HEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE AND WAS REPLACED IN 2013. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.”
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 Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| Galant Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,850 | 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 |
8 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 161 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (32), service brakes, hydraulic (28), power train (23). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2001 Mitsubishi Galant at 20–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).