Research · Midsize Cars

2009 Mitsubishi GalantRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 16 owner complaints for the 2009 Mitsubishi Galant. Most complaints involve air bags (10) and structure (4). The EPA rates it 19–23 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
19–23mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
16
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2009 Mitsubishi Galant as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

16 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2008 – Jan 2024
  1. Air bags10
  2. Structure4
  3. Wheels3
  4. Tires2
  5. Seat belts1
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic1
  7. Power train1
  8. Other / unknown1

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
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
4
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

Air bags

10 reports3 crashes
“The contact owns a 2009 Mitsubishi Galant. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the front driver's side air bag deployed inadvertently and struck the contact’s face and chest. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact immediately slammed on the brake pedal and then pulled into a parking spot. The contact stated there was no collision before the air bag deployment. The contact stated that she sustained pain in the face and on the chest but did not seek medical assistance. The dealer was contacted and advised the contact to cut the air bag off the steering wheel and to take the vehicle to their location. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive because the seat belt was inoperable after the air bag had been deployed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 16, 2024Air bagsODI 11565746

Structure

4 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DON HARRING MITSUBISHI DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,923.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 26, 2017Air bags, StructureODI 10991790

Wheels

3 reports
“Shannon bell private dealer is selling this car with a unrepairable cv axel. I purchased it and di my home work he rolled the miles back. He's falsely advertising it as clean tie and 190 something miles. That's even less then when I had it. Air bag lights are on and he unplugged the wires along with seatbelt so the lights don't show.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 3, 2023Air bags, Seat belts, WheelsODI 11520188
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 (S4) · Automatic (S5)
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 (S4), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202723$2,700386
Galant
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162519$4,050468
  • Galant
    Auto (S4), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Galant
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    16 city · 25 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
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 2009 Mitsubishi Galant as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 7, 2026Vehicle 5175
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

2009 Galant questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Mitsubishi Galant have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 7, 2026.

What are the most common 2009 Mitsubishi Galant problems?

Owners filed 16 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (10), structure (4), wheels (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Mitsubishi Galant get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Mitsubishi Galant at 19–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026