Research · Midsize Cars
2012 Mitsubishi GalantRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 9 owner complaints for the 2012 Mitsubishi Galant. Most complaints involve wheels (3) and engine (2). The EPA rates it 24 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
24mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
9
Top: wheels
Fuel cost / yr
$2,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2012 Mitsubishi Galant as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
9 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2012 – May 2025
- Wheels3
- Engine2
- Air bags1
- Electrical system1
- Visibility1
- Power train1
- Electronic stability control (esc)1
- 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 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 |
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Deaths reported
- 0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Wheels
3 reports1 crash
“Lug nuts on these tires begin to loosen them selves within 1000 miles. My lug nuts will randomly fall off and need replaced. I can always tell my tires about to fall off when you use the break and they sound like they are going out.”
Engine
2 reports
“I HAVE A 2012 MISH. GALANTE AND ON MULTIPLE TIMES MY CAR HAS STALLED OUT WITH EXCELERATION FRON A DEAD STOP WHILE TRYING TO CROSS THROUGH INTERSECTION AND MAKING TURN. LAST TIME IN SHOP WAS A PROXY 3 2015 WHERE THEY COULD NOT FIND NOTHING WRONG.”
Air bags
1 report
“The contact owns a 2012 Mitsubishi Galant. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's and passenger's side air bags unexpectedly deployed, cracking the windshield and injuring his arm. No warning light was illuminated. Medical attention was not received. The contact stated that there was no impact to the vehicle that could have caused the air bags to deploy. The contact's husband drove the vehicle to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
1 version rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
- Engines
- 2.4L 4-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic (S4)
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular 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
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galant Auto (S4), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,600 | 370 |
- 24mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Mitsubishi Galant as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 7, 2026Vehicle 6148
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| 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 |
- 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.
2012 Galant questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Mitsubishi Galant have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 7, 2026.
What are the most common 2012 Mitsubishi Galant problems?
Owners filed 9 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are wheels (3), engine (2), air bags (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2012 Mitsubishi Galant get?
The EPA rates the 2012 Mitsubishi Galant at 24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026