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1999 Mitsubishi Galant

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Galant years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Mitsubishi Galant are substantially higher than the model-year median of 26.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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: 27 of 215 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.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 89 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

30 crash reports10 fire reports13 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

89 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2006
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicStructureCrash

I OWN A GREEN 99 MITSUBISHI GALANT AND THE CLEAR COAT IS COMING OFF CAUSING MY CAR TO LOOK LIKE IT HAS ALLIGATOR SKIN IT STARTED ON THE ROOF AND HAS NOW SPREAD TO THE TRUNK AND HOOD. I CALLED MITSUBISHI TO SEE IF THEY HAD ANY COMPLAINS ABOUT THE PAINT AND I WAS TOLD NO. THE OPERATOR THEN ASKED WHAT STATE I LIVE IN AND WHEN I TOL…

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I OWN A GREEN 99 MITSUBISHI GALANT AND THE CLEAR COAT IS COMING OFF CAUSING MY CAR TO LOOK LIKE IT HAS ALLIGATOR SKIN IT STARTED ON THE ROOF AND HAS NOW SPREAD TO THE TRUNK AND HOOD. I CALLED MITSUBISHI TO SEE IF THEY HAD ANY COMPLAINS ABOUT THE PAINT AND I WAS TOLD NO. THE OPERATOR THEN ASKED WHAT STATE I LIVE IN AND WHEN I TOLD HER THAT I LIVE IN TEXAS, SHE TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD HAVE EXPECTED TO HAVE PAINT PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE BECAUSE THE TEXAS SUN IS SO HARSH. I HAVE ALSO BEEN INVOLVED IN 3 ACCIDENTS IN THE VEHICLE AND MY AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER DEPLOYED. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM KEEPING WHEEL COVER ON ALL IT TAKES IS A SLIGHT BUMP IN THE ROAD AND OFF THEY COME. THIS YEAR MODEL ALSO HAS MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE ROTORS WARPING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10161945

75,000 miles · Sep 8, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I'VE BEEN REPLACING MY BRAKES AND ROTORS SINCE 93 ABOUT EVERY 6 MONTHS IT'S GETTING OUT OF HAND, THE DEALER TELLS ME I'VE HAD MY RECALLS FIXED AND WE ARGUED OVER IT BUT I KNOW IT HASN'T BEEN FIXED. I THINK BECAUSE IT'S TO MANY OF THEM WHICH THE DEALER WILL LOSE OUT ON TIME AND MONEY. I TIRED OF REPLACING MY BRAKES. PLS HELP!*JB

NHTSA ODI #10135815

129,800 miles · Jul 31, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

ABS FAILURE- LIGHT IS ON AFTER CAR WAS REAR ENDED. DEALER CHARGE ME $218 US DOLLARS TO TELL ME THAT I NEEDED AN ABS SYSTEM I WAS TOLD THAT ALL ME RECALL WAS DONE. BY TALKING TO THE DEALER NONE OF MY RECALLS WAS DONE AND I HAD TO BRING THE CAR FEW DAYS LETTER AND LOST DAYS OF WORK AND THE ABS IS STILL NOT FIX. THEY SAID I HAVE TO…

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ABS FAILURE- LIGHT IS ON AFTER CAR WAS REAR ENDED. DEALER CHARGE ME $218 US DOLLARS TO TELL ME THAT I NEEDED AN ABS SYSTEM I WAS TOLD THAT ALL ME RECALL WAS DONE. BY TALKING TO THE DEALER NONE OF MY RECALLS WAS DONE AND I HAD TO BRING THE CAR FEW DAYS LETTER AND LOST DAYS OF WORK AND THE ABS IS STILL NOT FIX. THEY SAID I HAVE TO PAY 1000 DOLLARS TO FIX MY CAR AND IT IS NOT CAR ACCIDENT RELATED. THE FACT IS I DID NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT NOR I HAD ABS LIGHT ON. NOW I CANT EVEN DRIVE THE CAR THE BRAKES ARE VERY BED ROTOR IS NOISY CAR IS VIBRATE AND BRAKES ARE DOWN. I SUGGEST SINCE THERE ARE 1000 OF COMPLAINTS ON ABS SYSTEMS ROTORS PADS AND VEHICLE VIBRATION AND SAFETY ISSUES, PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS COMPLAIN. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10130708

80,000 miles · Mar 8, 2005
Seat BeltsService Brakes, Hydraulic

I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN 2002. SINCE I HAVE HAD THE CAR MY BRAKES KEEP MAKING THIS CRACKING NOISES. IVE REPLACED THEM SINCE IVE HAD THE CAR ABOUT 7 TIMES INCLUDING REPLACING MY ROTORS AND GETTING THEM TURNED, YET THE PROBLEM STILL EXSIST. I HAVE EVEN BOUGHT THE MOST EXPESSIVE AND SUPPOSE TO BE THE BEST BRAKE PADS . YOU CAN BUY…

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I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN 2002. SINCE I HAVE HAD THE CAR MY BRAKES KEEP MAKING THIS CRACKING NOISES. IVE REPLACED THEM SINCE IVE HAD THE CAR ABOUT 7 TIMES INCLUDING REPLACING MY ROTORS AND GETTING THEM TURNED, YET THE PROBLEM STILL EXSIST. I HAVE EVEN BOUGHT THE MOST EXPESSIVE AND SUPPOSE TO BE THE BEST BRAKE PADS . YOU CAN BUY FOR A MITTSUBISHI GALANT. THEY ARE FINE FOR THE FIRST FEW WEEKS AFTER I REPLACE THEM BUT THEY GO BACK TO THE SAME WAY AFTER A FEW WEEKS. ALSO MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT KEEPS GETTING STUCK. I HAVE TRIED TO FIX IT NUMEROUS TIMES BUT IT WONT STOP GETTING STUCK. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10112715

Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

SAFETY ISSUE WITH 1999 MITSUBISHI GALANTS. *MR THE CONSUMER HAD TO CHANGE 4 SETS OF BRAKE ROTORS AND NUMEROUS RESURFACING. THE CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE IN SEPARATE ACCIDENTS AS A RESULT. THE PROBLEM WOULD LEAVE FOR A BRIEF PERIOD WHEN THE BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM WOULD COME BACK. *SC…

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SAFETY ISSUE WITH 1999 MITSUBISHI GALANTS. *MR THE CONSUMER HAD TO CHANGE 4 SETS OF BRAKE ROTORS AND NUMEROUS RESURFACING. THE CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE IN SEPARATE ACCIDENTS AS A RESULT. THE PROBLEM WOULD LEAVE FOR A BRIEF PERIOD WHEN THE BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM WOULD COME BACK. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10079777

55,000 miles · Dec 12, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

FRONT ROTORS WARPED AT AROUND 15000 MILES. AT THE FIRST INCIDENT, I HAD THE ROTORS TURNED AND BOUGHT HIGH QUALITY PADS. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE ROTORS WARPED AGAIN. I BOUGHT ANOTHER SET OF ROTORS, AND THINGS WERE OKAY FOR ABOUT 10000 MILES. AFTERWARDS, BRAKING VIBRATION CAME BACK. I DECIDED TO BUY BREMBO SLOTTED ROTORS IN C…

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FRONT ROTORS WARPED AT AROUND 15000 MILES. AT THE FIRST INCIDENT, I HAD THE ROTORS TURNED AND BOUGHT HIGH QUALITY PADS. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE ROTORS WARPED AGAIN. I BOUGHT ANOTHER SET OF ROTORS, AND THINGS WERE OKAY FOR ABOUT 10000 MILES. AFTERWARDS, BRAKING VIBRATION CAME BACK. I DECIDED TO BUY BREMBO SLOTTED ROTORS IN CASE THE FACTORY ROTORS WERE NOT GOOD ENOUGH. I FINALLY FOUND AN INTERNET SITE THAT HAD THEM FOR THIS CAR, BUT I PROBABLY CANNOT WRITE THE NAME HERE. I ALSO MADE SURE MY TIRE CENTER DID NOT TORQUE THE LUGS OVER 80 FOOT POUNDS WHEN ROTATING THE TIRES. AFTER A ROTATION, I USED MY TORQUE WRENCH TO VERIFY PROPER TORQUE. SO FAR THE BREMBO ROTORS HAVE NOT WARPED. LASTLY, I HAVE NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. TIRE ROTATION AND BALANCING DOES NOT HELP.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10049642

Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2003
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicCrash

ROTORS WARPED AND RUSTED AND COULD NOT BE RESURFACED.RESULTING IN COST OF $475 DOLLARS FOR NEW FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. ALSO MINOR CRASH FOR SLOW STOPPING.CAR ALSO JERKS WHEN CHANGING GEARS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10030263

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

I LEASED A 1999 MITSUBISHI GALANT ON AUG 30, 1999, TWO WEEKS LATER I TOOK MY CAR BACK BECAUSE OF HEARING GRINDING AND SCRUBBING NOISES WHEN APPLYING MY BRAKES, I WAS TOLD BY A RUDE SERVICE MANAGER THAT IT WAS BRAKE DUST SO ALL THEY DID WAS CLEAN IT OUT WHICH WAS A LAME EXCUSE, I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND OWNED CARS FOR MORE THAN 1…

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I LEASED A 1999 MITSUBISHI GALANT ON AUG 30, 1999, TWO WEEKS LATER I TOOK MY CAR BACK BECAUSE OF HEARING GRINDING AND SCRUBBING NOISES WHEN APPLYING MY BRAKES, I WAS TOLD BY A RUDE SERVICE MANAGER THAT IT WAS BRAKE DUST SO ALL THEY DID WAS CLEAN IT OUT WHICH WAS A LAME EXCUSE, I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND OWNED CARS FOR MORE THAN 15 YEARS, A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING AGAIN I WAS TOLD IT WAS BRAKE DUST, ABOUT A MONTH AFTER THAT I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AND WENT IN AGAIN AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED ROTORS AND BEGAN TO TELL HOW MUCH IT COSTS, I ARGUED THAT POINT BECAUSE IT IS A LEASE SO THEN THEY REPLACED THE ROTORS. I HAVE REPLACED ROTORS AND/OR BRAKES PADS AT LEAST EVERY 3000 TO 5000 MILES SINCE THEN BECAUSE I JUST DID NOT HAVE THE TIME TO PLAY THE DEALERS GAMES. IT GETS SO BAD THAT I HAVE TO PUMP THE BRAKES EVERY TIME AND THE FRONT END OF THE CAR VIBRATES LIKE IT IS FALLING APART ESPECIALLY GOING DOWN HILL, HAVE TO START PUMPING THE BRAKES AT THE TOP OF THE HILL IN ORDER TO STOP SAFELY. AND TO TOP THAT OFF, I CALLED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE MY CAR IN AGAIN LAST SUMMER AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS GONE OUT OF BUSINESS. THIS HAS GONE ON WASTING MY MONEY FOR OVER THREE AND A HALF YEARS, IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR I HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF MY BRAKES, I DID NOT HAVE AMPLE TIME TO APPLY THE BRAKES WHEN ANOTHER DRIVER PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME, THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS HURT, I HAD THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE. MY QUESTION IS WHY DOES THIS GO ON, WHY HAS MITSUBISHI NOT RECALLED THESE CARS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM OR ARE THEY NOT ABLE TO CORRECT IT? DO THEY NOT HAVE THE PROPER KNOWLEDGE TO LOCATE AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM? DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED BEFORE SOMEONE AT MITSUBISHI GIVES A [XXX] ABOUT THE POOR CONSTRUCTION AND POSSIBLE INADEQUATE PARTS USED IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM OF THESE CARS?? FROM WHAT I AM ABLE TO FIND OUT THESE PROBLEM STILL EXIST EVEN ON THE BRAND NEW GALANT'S, WHAT IS THE DEAL?? *NLM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C.

NHTSA ODI #10023500

Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

A LOT OF FORCE HAS TO BE APPLIED TO BRAKES FOR VEHICLE TO STOP.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8014111

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #762974

Official recalls

5

04V428000 · Equipment:other:labels

Sep 1, 2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy: MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.

01V011001 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines

Jan 16, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. A HOSE WAS MIS-MANUFACTURED AND COULD WEAKEN OVER TIME, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FLUID LEAKAGE FROM THE COOLER HOSES CAN CAUSE TRANSAXLE DRIVEABILITY PROBLEMS AND SMOKE IF THE OIL CONTACTS THE FRONT EXHAUST PIPE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOSE ASSEMBLY FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER. OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING WILL BE PHASED OVER A FIVE-MONTH PERIOD STARTING MARCH 26, THROUGH JULY 23, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

00V225001 · Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion)

Aug 10, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A NUT IN THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED, RESULTING IN SYMPTOMS RANGING FROM STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION TO STIFF STEERING, AND IN THE WORST CASE, NO ABILITY TO TURN LEFT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY IF A LOOSE NUT CONNECTION IS FOUND.

99V333001 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

Nov 23, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES AND FEDERAL EMISSION EQUIPMENT. THE BATTERY CABLE HARNESS CAN BECOME HEAT DAMAGED BY THE FRONT EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH COULD CAUSE GROUNDED CIRCUITS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CIRCUIT FAILURE COULD CAUSE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TO OCCUR: (1) THE ENGINE WILL NOT START BECAUSE THE MAIN FUSE WILL BLOW IF THE POWER LEAD IS GROUNDED; (2) THE LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE IF THE SIGNAL WIRE IS GROUNDED; (3) THE AIRCONDITIONING SYSTEM WILL BECOME INOPERATIVE IF THE LEAD TO THE MAGNETIC CLUTCH IS GROUNDED; AND (4) THE TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD LAMPS WILL BECOME INOPERATIVE IF THE VOLTAGE MONITOR LEAD IS GROUNDED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND DISCARD A METAL MANIFOLD BRACKET (FROM GALANT MODELS ONLY - ECLIPSE HAS NO SUCH BRACKET). DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE HARNESS. IF THE HARNESS WIRES SHOW NO DAMAGE, THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A HEAT INSULATOR ALONG WITH HEAT RESISTANT HARNESS CLIPS. IF THE HARNESS WIRES DO SHOW DAMAGE, THE DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HARNESS WITH PREINSTALLED INTEGRAL HEAT PROTECTION.

99V305001 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch; Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:switch/wiring

Nov 1, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE COLUMN SWITCH LEVERS CAN BECOME LOOSE OR BREAK OVER TIME.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: LOOSENING OR CRACKING OF THE LEVERS CAN CAUSE DIRECTIONAL LAMPS THAT DO NOT SELF-CANCEL OR OPERATE, HEAD LAMPS THAT DO NOT TURN OFF, WINDSHIELD WASHERS THAT OPERATE CONTINUOUSLY AND/OR WINDSHIELD WIPERS THAT DO NOT OPERATE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED SWITCH.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:switch/wiring

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE COLUMN SWITCH LEVERS CAN BECOME LOOSE OR BREAK OVER TIME.

Consequence: LOOSENING OR CRACKING OF THE LEVERS CAN CAUSE DIRECTIONAL LAMPS THAT DO NOT SELF-CANCEL OR OPERATE, HEAD LAMPS THAT DO NOT TURN OFF, WINDSHIELD WASHERS THAT OPERATE CONTINUOUSLY AND/OR WINDSHIELD WIPERS THAT DO NOT OPERATE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED SWITCH.

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE COLUMN SWITCH LEVERS CAN BECOME LOOSE OR BREAK OVER TIME.

Consequence: LOOSENING OR CRACKING OF THE LEVERS CAN CAUSE DIRECTIONAL LAMPS THAT DO NOT SELF-CANCEL OR OPERATE, HEAD LAMPS THAT DO NOT TURN OFF, WINDSHIELD WASHERS THAT OPERATE CONTINUOUSLY AND/OR WINDSHIELD WIPERS THAT DO NOT OPERATE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED SWITCH.

Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE COLUMN SWITCH LEVERS CAN BECOME LOOSE OR BREAK OVER TIME.

Consequence: LOOSENING OR CRACKING OF THE LEVERS CAN CAUSE DIRECTIONAL LAMPS THAT DO NOT SELF-CANCEL OR OPERATE, HEAD LAMPS THAT DO NOT TURN OFF, WINDSHIELD WASHERS THAT OPERATE CONTINUOUSLY AND/OR WINDSHIELD WIPERS THAT DO NOT OPERATE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED SWITCH.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.