Problems · NHTSA complaints
2002 Mitsubishi Galant problems
Owners filed 142 complaints about the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant with NHTSA between Feb 2002 and Aug 2022. The most-cited component is service brakes, hydraulic (28).
Complaints
142
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
22
Reported by owners
Fires
10
Reported by owners
Injuries
19
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Service brakes, hydraulic28
- Electrical system26
- Visibility21
- Structure20
- Air bags18
- Engine and engine cooling16
- Exterior lighting6
- Equipment6
- Suspension5
- Steering5
- Wheels4
- Tires4
- Power train3
- Fuel system, gasoline3
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
13
10
22
17
19
16
14
14
3
2
5
1
1
2
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 13 |
| 2003 | 10 |
| 2004 | 22 |
| 2005 | 17 |
| 2006 | 19 |
| 2007 | 16 |
| 2008 | 14 |
| 2009 | 14 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Service brakes, hydraulic
28 reports1 crash
“SINCE PURCHASE OF 2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH SQUEAKING BRAKES, ROTORS REPLACED TWICE SINCE PURCHASED 7/05. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT SQUEAKING WAS FROM DRIVING HABITS; NOTHING WRONG WITH BRAKES. HAD TO TAKE VEHICLE TO PRIVATE MECHANIC. ALSO, PROBLEMS WITH AIR CONDITIONING. HOT AIR BLOWS OUT BOTTOM VENTS BY FLOOR. AIR DOESN'T GET COLD EITHER. HAVE HAD VEHICLE AIR CONDITIONER CHARGED BOTH LAST SPRING AND ALSO THIS SPRING. WITHIN 2 WEEKS AIR ONLY GETS SEMI-COOL AND FLOOR VENTS BLOW REALLY HOT AIR AT ALL TIMES. THIS VEHICLE IS A DISGRACE. MORE TROUBLE THAN ENJOYMENT. ONLY GOOD THING IS APPEARANCE AND STYLE. MITSUBISHI HAS HAD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT BOTH THE BRAKES AND AIR CONDITIONING ON THEIR 2002 GALANTES. POOR QUALITY AUTOMOBILE. *TR”
Electrical system
26 reports8 fires1 related recall
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND THE SIGNAL LAMP FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V147000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.”
Visibility
21 reports1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE HORN WOULD ENGAGE SPORADICALLY AND WOULD NOT STOP. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 110,218.”
Structure
20 reports
“THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR IS CONSTANTLY WET IN MY 2001 GALANT. IT STARTED HAPPENING IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS. I CHECKED THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR AND DO NOT SEE ANY HOLES; THE UNDERCARRIAGE COATING LOOKS FINE. THERE IS A LITTLE SUPPORT BEAM UNDER THE FLOOR BOARD OF THE CAR THAT I CAN NOT PEER INTO. THE FLUID DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE COOLANT. IT DOES NOT LOOK OR SMELL LIKE COOLANT. *TR”
Air bags
18 reports17 crashes
“The contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Galant. The contact stated that while his son was being chased by another motorist at 40 MPH, he lost control of the vehicle as he attempted to brake. The vehicle veered off the road and initially hit a garbage can that ricocheted and broke another vehicle's taillight. The vehicle continued to move forward before it hit both an electrical box and a tree which stopped the vehicle's momentum. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. His son was treated at the scene for the soreness to his chest and back and for other minor cuts and bruises. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it remained in their possession. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.”
Engine and engine cooling
16 reports
“I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR NOT WANTING TO START. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR QUITE SOME TIME. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE CAM SHAFT CENSOR AFTER A MONTH OR TWO THE STARTING PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN. I THEN HAD THE COILS, WIRES AND BATTERY CABLE REPLACE AND STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM. I WANT TO KNOW IF THERE HAS BEEN RECALLS FOR THESE PROBLEMS NO I HAVE NOT BEEN TOLD. I ONLY HAVE 68000 MILES ON THIS CAR AND SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *TR”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.