IllustrationMANUFACTURER REFUSES TO INVESTIGATE AIR BAG FAILURE TO INFLATE IN THE ACCICENT. *AK
1996 Mitsubishi Galant
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Galant years
Owner complaints for the 1996 Mitsubishi Galant are substantially higher than the model-year median of 26.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Galant years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsWHILE DRIVING, BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY FAILED, CAUSING RIGHT FRONT TIRE TO COME OFF AND FRONT END OF VEHICLE DROPPED, DURING RECALL 99V066001, DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE, HOWEVER AFTER INSPECTING THE PART STATED IT WAS OKAY AND MADE NO CHANGES TO VEHICLE, THREE MONTHS LATER THE RECALL PARTS FAILED. *SLC
WHILE DRIVING AT 10-15 MPH LOWER BALL JOINT FELL OFF VEHICLE. HAD THIS COMPONENT LOOKED AT UNDER RECALL 99V066001 IN SEPTEMBER 2000. WAS TOLD BALLJOINT WAS FINE. CURRENTLY, DEALER SAID THIS WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. *AK THE CONSUMER BELIEVES IT WAS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR THAT CAUSED THE BALL JOINT TO FELL OFF. *YH
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 50MPH ACCELERATOR STUCK AND COULD NOT BE PULLED UP OR JIGGLED LOOSE. THE ENGINE AS A RESULT WAS REVVING IN THE RED ZONE FOR ABOUT A MINUTE WHILE IT WAS DECIDED TO PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, BRAKE, PULL OVER & TURN THE CAR OFF. THE CAR WAS STOPPED A MERE 100 YARDS FROM A TRAFFIC JAM DUE TO …
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 50MPH ACCELERATOR STUCK AND COULD NOT BE PULLED UP OR JIGGLED LOOSE. THE ENGINE AS A RESULT WAS REVVING IN THE RED ZONE FOR ABOUT A MINUTE WHILE IT WAS DECIDED TO PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, BRAKE, PULL OVER & TURN THE CAR OFF. THE CAR WAS STOPPED A MERE 100 YARDS FROM A TRAFFIC JAM DUE TO CONSTRUCTION. THIS COULD HAVE LED T O A FATAL ACCIDENT HAD NATHAN NOT HAD THE PRESENCE OF MIND TO DO WHAT HE DID. THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT FOR THE SAFETY OF MY WIFE AND CHILDREN; LUCKILY THEY WERE NOT IN THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED AS MY WIFE STATED SHE WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, AND WOULD HAVE PROBABLY ENDED UP CRASHING. THE SHOP WHERE THE CAR WAS TAKEN STATED THAT THE CABLES WERE FROZEN AND IT WAS DUE TO MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. *AK
PASSENGER'S AIRBAG LOOKS WARPED. IS THAT NORMAL?*AK
RECALL 99V066001/ LOWER BALL JOINTS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER NOVEMBER AND OCTOBER 13,2000, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO FIX RECALL. DEALER IS RAYSKILLMAN MITSUBISHI, 8424 HIGHWAY 31, GREENWOOD, IN (317) 8852700. *AK AFTER MANY CALLS MITSUBISHI AGREED TO FIX DAMAGE. *YH
I BOUGHT MY CAR IN SEPT.OF 96 BRAND NEW. FOUR YEARS LATER, MY TRANSMISSION FAILS ME. I BELIEVE THESE TRANSMISSIONS NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED AND RECALL. EVERYWHERE I CALL AROUND FOR THESE TRANSMISSIONS, NO ONE HAS THEMS OR TELLS ME THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. THESE TRANMISSIONS ARE NO GOOD THE CAR REPAIR MEN TELL ME. PLEA…
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I BOUGHT MY CAR IN SEPT.OF 96 BRAND NEW. FOUR YEARS LATER, MY TRANSMISSION FAILS ME. I BELIEVE THESE TRANSMISSIONS NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED AND RECALL. EVERYWHERE I CALL AROUND FOR THESE TRANSMISSIONS, NO ONE HAS THEMS OR TELLS ME THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. THESE TRANMISSIONS ARE NO GOOD THE CAR REPAIR MEN TELL ME. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER. I REALLY LIKE MY CAR BUT I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO SPEND $1600-1800 FOR A TRANSMISSION WHEN THIS ONE SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED SO QUICKLY. PLEASE RESPOND TO MY INQUIRY. THANKS.*AK
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 65MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES.*AK
AS I TURNED THE IGNITION TO START MY CAR ON MORNING, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR CAUGHT ON FIRE AND MELTED. THE FIRE CEASED AS SOON AS I TURNED THE CAR OFF. MY CAR DEALERS WHICH AREN'T BEING HELPFUL AT ALL, ARE NOT ACCEPTING ANY LIABILITY FOR THIS DEFECT WITHIN MITSUBISHI.TODAY MY DEALER TELLS MY ITS GONNA COST ME $130.00 MORE BECAUSE…
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AS I TURNED THE IGNITION TO START MY CAR ON MORNING, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR CAUGHT ON FIRE AND MELTED. THE FIRE CEASED AS SOON AS I TURNED THE CAR OFF. MY CAR DEALERS WHICH AREN'T BEING HELPFUL AT ALL, ARE NOT ACCEPTING ANY LIABILITY FOR THIS DEFECT WITHIN MITSUBISHI.TODAY MY DEALER TELLS MY ITS GONNA COST ME $130.00 MORE BECAUSE THE WINDOW WAS FRIED AND DOESN'T WORK. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND I NEED SOME HELP..MITSUBISHI DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THE WORK ..DUTY...THANK YOU
THE VEHICLE STALLS CONTINUALLY WHILE MAKING A STOP. *MJS
Official recalls
300V421001 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
Dec 18, 2000
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.
00V237000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
Aug 25, 2000
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.
99V066001 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
Apr 5, 1999
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
1RQ00015 · 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