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Research · Midsize Cars

2005 Mitsubishi GalantRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 26 owner complaints for the 2005 Mitsubishi Galant. Most complaints involve structure (6) and service brakes, hydraulic (6). The EPA rates it 19–23 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
19–23mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Sep 2008
Owner complaints
26
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system

Free remedy

MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING 45,988 MY 2005-2007 ENDEAVOR, GALANT, ECLIPSE COUPE, AND MY 2007 ECLIPSE SPYDER VEHICLES. THE BRACKET THAT IS THE ATTACHMENT POINT FOR THE LEFT REAR FUEL TANK MOUNTING STRAP MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY FORMED DURING A METAL STAMPING PROCESS. THE PROCESS MAY HAVE CAUSED THE METAL TO HAVE A SPLIT IN THE AREA WHERE THE BOLT THAT HOLDS ONE OF THE TWO FUEL TANK STRAPS TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS LOCATED. IN THE EVENT THE FUEL TANK IS FULL AND THE VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO A SEVERE COLLISION, THE BRACKET MAY BREAK AND ALLOW THE FUEL TANK TO DROP DOWN, POSSIBLY CAUSING A FUEL LEAK.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Sep 9, 2008NHTSA 08V454000

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING 73,000 MY 2004-2006 GALLANT PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING VEHICLE USE, THE IGNITION KEY INTERLOCK CABLE (WHICH IS A COMPONENT OF THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM) MAY ALLOW THE INTERLOCKING CAM TO FALL FORWARD AND ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN THE GEARSHIFT MECHANISM IS NOT IN THE PARK POSITION.

Electrical systemReported Jun 20, 2008NHTSA 08V276000

Service brakes

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, WHICH CONTROLS THE FLUID PRESSURE TO THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES, MAY ALLOW BRAKE FLUID TO BYPASS INTERNALLY DURING STOPPING.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Sep 15, 2005NHTSA 05V409000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

26 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2005 – Dec 2024
  1. Structure6
  2. Service brakes, hydraulic6
  3. Suspension2
  4. Tires2
  5. Air bags2
  6. Steering2
  7. Engine and engine cooling2
  8. Equipment2
  9. Exterior lighting2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Galant model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996144
199786
199857
1999218
2000139
2001161
2002142
2003139
200461
200526
200624
200724
20086
200916
20109
20113
20129
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

6 reports
“PAINT IS COMING OFF EVEN THOUGH IT IS PROPERLY CARED FOR, GARAGED ETC. THIS IS A KNOWN PAINT ISSUE AND I'M WANTING IT FIXED.. NO ONE WILL BUY THIS VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION. OWNED SINCE NEW IN 2005. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 13, 2012StructureODI 10447816

Service brakes, hydraulic

6 reports
“MY 2005 GALANT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING BRAKE PROBLEMS I REPORTED IT TO MITSUBISHI DEALER BEFORE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG JUST A GLAZE. I FINALLY TOOK IT SOMEWHERE ELSE TO GET THE BRAKES DONE THEY REPLACED THE PADS 2 WEEKS LATER THE BRAKES STARTED MAKING NOISE SINCE THEN I HAVE TAKEN THEM BACK FOR THE SAME PROBLEM OVER AND OVER AGAIN ALL THEY TELL ME, ITS A GLAZE BUT THE NOISE GETS LOUDER. THE ENGINE ALSO MAKES A CLICKING NOISE THAT DOESN'T SOUND RIGHT. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 16, 2008Service brakes, hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, EquipmentODI 10242437

Suspension

2 reports
“Seems struts, shocks, cadallytic converter are bad”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 21, 2024Suspension, Unknown or otherODI 11631948
All 2005 Galant problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.8L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Automatic (S4)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Galant
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202723$2,700386
Galant
Auto (S4), 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172519$4,050468
  • Galant
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Galant
    Auto (S4), 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    17 city · 25 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Mitsubishi Galant as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 7, 2026Vehicle 1635
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2005 Galant questions

How many recalls does the 2005 Mitsubishi Galant have?

3 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.

What are the most common 2005 Mitsubishi Galant problems?

Owners filed 26 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (6), service brakes, hydraulic (6), suspension (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2005 Mitsubishi Galant get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Mitsubishi Galant at 19–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026