Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 15 of 136 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Power Train. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
27 crash reports4 fire reports18 injury reports
What owners actually said
136 reports
179,000 miles · Apr 26, 2012
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS BEING PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE WHEN SHE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE DESTROYED AND WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO OPERATE. THE DAMAGE WAS BEYOND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS BEING PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE WHEN SHE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE DESTROYED AND WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO OPERATE. THE DAMAGE WAS BEYOND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 179,000.
NHTSA ODI #10456584
Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2010
Suspension
I CURRENTLY BOUGHT THE 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT FOR MY WIFE AND 11 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER. THE DEALER TOLD ME I NEEDED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT TO GET THE PULL AND SHAKE OUT OF MY FRONT END. I TOOK IT TO AN ALIGNMENT SHOP AND THE ASE MASTER TECH. TOLD ME MY CONTROL ARMS WERE BENT DUE TO CORROSION OF THE BALL JOINT, HE THEN TOLD ME THERE…
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I CURRENTLY BOUGHT THE 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT FOR MY WIFE AND 11 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER. THE DEALER TOLD ME I NEEDED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT TO GET THE PULL AND SHAKE OUT OF MY FRONT END. I TOOK IT TO AN ALIGNMENT SHOP AND THE ASE MASTER TECH. TOLD ME MY CONTROL ARMS WERE BENT DUE TO CORROSION OF THE BALL JOINT, HE THEN TOLD ME THERE WAS A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES AND IF I DON'T GET THE PROBLEM FIXED IT COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING. I DON'T THINK IT WOULD BE SAFE FOR MY WIFE TO LOSE STEERING WITH OUR INFANT DAUGHTER SO NOW I GOT BIGGER PROBLEMS THEN A TWENTY FIVE DOLLAR FRONT END ALIGNMENT. I'M UPSET AT THE DEALER FOR NOT INFORMING ME WITH THESE RECALLS NOT THE MANUFACTURE FOR MAKING THE BAD PART. PLEASE HELP BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10352659
150,000 miles · May 13, 2008
Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE, THE JACK WENT STRAIGHT THROUGH THE FRAME WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING LIFTED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A SHOP AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE RUST IN THE REAR SUBFRAME. THE CONTACT SOLD THE VEHICLE RATHER THAN HAVE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE, THE JACK WENT STRAIGHT THROUGH THE FRAME WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING LIFTED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A SHOP AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE RUST IN THE REAR SUBFRAME. THE CONTACT SOLD THE VEHICLE RATHER THAN HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA ODI #10227632
130,000 miles · Dec 4, 2007
Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY IS ATTACHED TO THE SUBFRAME, WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE BODY. THE ENTIRE PART IS EXTREMELY RUSTED AND PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM JACKING THE VEHICLE AND CHANGING THE TIRE. THE DEALER NOTIFIED THE CONTACT OF THIS FAILURE. THE FAILURE IS NOTICEABLE WHILE DRIVI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY IS ATTACHED TO THE SUBFRAME, WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE BODY. THE ENTIRE PART IS EXTREMELY RUSTED AND PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM JACKING THE VEHICLE AND CHANGING THE TIRE. THE DEALER NOTIFIED THE CONTACT OF THIS FAILURE. THE FAILURE IS NOTICEABLE WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 162,000. UPDATED 01-11-08. *KB UPDATED 12/31/07 *TR
NHTSA ODI #10210794
100,000 miles · Nov 17, 2007
Structure
THE REAR UNDERCARRIAGE OF MY 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT HAS SEVERE RUST DAMAGE TO THE POINT THAT YOU CANNOT EVEN JACK UP THE CAR AS THE JACK PENETRATES THEY SUB FRAME. THE STRUT FROM THE RIGHT REAR ALSO CAME LOOSE FROM THE TOWER. THE REAR WHEELS THAT ARE ATTACHED TO THE SUB FRAME ARE EXTREMELY UNSAFE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10209229
155,000 miles · Feb 6, 2007
Structure
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT. DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE CHECKS THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED RUST ON THE FRAME UNDER THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF EACH REAR WHEEL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 157000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155000. *AK UPDATED 2/27/2007 - *NM
NHTSA ODI #10181799
84,388 miles · Jun 5, 2005
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FLUID DIPSTICK IMPOSSIBLE TO READ, NOTIFIED DEALER, DEALER SAID THAT'S JUST HOW IT IS DESIGNED. I'M WORRIED BECAUSE TRANMISSIONS ARE A COMMON FAILURE ON THIS GENERATION OF MITSUBISHI GALANT. CAN THIS BE CORRECTED BY A DIPSTICK REDESIGN?
NHTSA ODI #10124238
129,000 miles · Mar 21, 2005
Power Train
THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION OF MY 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT SLIPS OUT OF GEAR AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND REENGAGES. CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS LOST WHEN THIS HAPPENS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10114404
107,000 miles · Sep 13, 2004
Suspension
AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL 00V421001, AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE NOT DEFECTIVE. CONSUMER LATER PURCHASED TIRES, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BALL JOINT HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10091897
78,000 miles · Aug 20, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury
A TRUCK DROPPED SOME BOXES ON THE FREEWAY. A CAR STOPPED SUDDENLY TO AVOID THE BOXES, ANOTHER CAR HIT THEM, FINALLY WE HIT THAT CAR. IT WAS A 3 CAR PILEUP. I WAS DRIVING AND MY WIFE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. WE WERE THE LAST CAR IN THE LINE AND HIT AT ABOUT 45+ MPH. WE WERE IN A 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT WITH ONLY 78K MILES A…
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A TRUCK DROPPED SOME BOXES ON THE FREEWAY. A CAR STOPPED SUDDENLY TO AVOID THE BOXES, ANOTHER CAR HIT THEM, FINALLY WE HIT THAT CAR. IT WAS A 3 CAR PILEUP. I WAS DRIVING AND MY WIFE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. WE WERE THE LAST CAR IN THE LINE AND HIT AT ABOUT 45+ MPH. WE WERE IN A 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT WITH ONLY 78K MILES AND WE WERE BOTH WEARING OUR SEATBELTS. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED! IT WAS A DIRECT HIT RIGHT IN THE FRONT OF OUR CAR AT OVER 45 MPH. NOW MY WIFE MAY HAVE PERMANENT BACK PAIN. I CAN GET THE VIN NUMBER IF YOU NEED IT. I JUST DONT HAVE ACCESS TO IT TODAY.*AK
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, DIRT AND WATER CAN INTRUDE. ALSO, MMC HAS ADDED THE POTENTIAL OF LEAKING MOISTURE, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE BALL STUD TO CORRODE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS CAMPAIGN SUPERCEDES MMC'S PREVIOUS SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN, SEE 99V-066.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT FOR WEAR. BALL JOINTS THAT EXHIBIT WEAR BEYOND THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEWLY DESIGNED LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS. BALL JOINTS THAT ARE WITHIN THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE CLEANED AND A SPECIAL SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED TO PREVENT INTRUSION OF MOISTURE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CRACKS CAN OCCUR IN THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK DUE TO AN IMPROPER SPOT WELD ON THE BAFFLE PLATE TO THE TOP PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK COULD ALLOW FUEL OR FUMES TO ESCAPE. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE UPPER SURFACE OF THE FUEL TANK FOR ANY SIGNS OF CRACKING. IF NO CRACKING OR LEAKING IS FOUND, DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SEALING PROTECTOR PLATE. IF ANY CRACKING OR LEAKAGE IS FOUND, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, DIRT AND WATER CAN INTRUDE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RUBBER BOOTS, AND IF THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THEY WILL REPLACE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM AND BALL JOINT ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
RQ00015 · Lower Contrtol Arm Ball Joint
Opened Aug 2, 2000 · Closed Apr 20, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (3)
Suspension
There is no summary currently available
Suspension
There is no summary currently available
Suspension
There is no summary currently available
1996 Mitsubishi Galant Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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