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Research · Midsize Cars

2006 Mitsubishi GalantRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 24 owner complaints for the 2006 Mitsubishi Galant. Most complaints involve electrical system (9) and air bags (5). The EPA rates it 19–23 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–23mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Sep 2008
Owner complaints
24
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · 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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

24 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2006 – May 2020
  1. Electrical system9
  2. Air bags5
  3. Service brakes, hydraulic4
  4. Exterior lighting3
  5. Structure3
  6. Visibility3
  7. Equipment2
  8. Steering2
  9. Fuel/propulsion system1

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
4
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
2
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

Electrical system

9 reports1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT WIRE WAS MELTED. THE WIRE HARNESS WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. APPROXIMATELY 8 MONTHS LATER, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT WIRE HARNESS HAD ALSO MELTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 28, 2015Electrical system, Exterior lightingFire reportedODI 10778136

Air bags

5 reports4 crashes
“I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT I WENT DOWN A DITCH I HIT A TREE AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DISPLAY I WANT TO KNOW IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE AIRBAG BECAUSE MY AIRBAG DID NOT CAME OUT WHEN I WAS IN THAT BAD ACCIDENT AND I DIDN'T THE FRONT OF MY CAR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 1, 2018Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11144601

Service brakes, hydraulic

4 reports
“LAMP SOCKETS FOR BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE BRAKE LIGHTS BURNT OUT AT 5 YEARS, 2 MONTHS WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES. IF ONE SIDE WENT OUT I'D CALL IT A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. BOTH SIDES,...SEEMS MORE LIKE AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM. ONLY THE CONTACT FOR THE BRAKE SIDE OF THE 2057 LAMP WAS MELTED AND RECESSED. THE TAIL LAMP SIDE OF THE SOCKET IS STILL CLEAN. PUT IN A GM REPLACEMENT SOCKET WHICH LOOKS BETTER MADE THAN THE OEM. JUST GLAD THE WIFE DID NOT GET REAR-ENDED. HUNG ONTO THE OLD SOCKETS JUST IN CASE SOMEONE MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN LOOKING AT THEM. LOTS OF TAILGATERS IN MY STATE, SO BRAKE LIGHTS ARE IMPORTANT HERE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 15, 2011Service brakes, hydraulic, Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 10401832
All 2006 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
162519$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
    16 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 2006 Mitsubishi Galant as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 7, 2026Vehicle 1768
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

2006 Galant questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Mitsubishi Galant have?

1 safety recall 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 2006 Mitsubishi Galant problems?

Owners filed 24 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (9), air bags (5), service brakes, hydraulic (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Mitsubishi Galant get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Mitsubishi Galant at 19–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026