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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

What owners actually said

215 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2006
Unknown Or Other

I HAVE A 99 BLACK GALANT AND THE EARLIER PART OF 2005 I STARTED SEEING MY PAINT FADE OFF. IT STARTED ON THE ROOF AND GRADUALLY SPEAD TO THE TRUNK. NOW THE PAINT HAS FADED OFF BOTH AREAS. I WANT IT PAINTED SO I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR AND ASKED DID THEY HAVE A RECALL NUMBER BUT HE TOLD ME HE WOULD NEED THE LAS…

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I HAVE A 99 BLACK GALANT AND THE EARLIER PART OF 2005 I STARTED SEEING MY PAINT FADE OFF. IT STARTED ON THE ROOF AND GRADUALLY SPEAD TO THE TRUNK. NOW THE PAINT HAS FADED OFF BOTH AREAS. I WANT IT PAINTED SO I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR AND ASKED DID THEY HAVE A RECALL NUMBER BUT HE TOLD ME HE WOULD NEED THE LAST 8 NUMBERS OF MY VIN TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL. I DIDN'T TELL HIM WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. SO AFTER THAT I GOT ON THE INTERNET TO SEE WHAT I COULD FIND AND WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THREE OTHERS COMPLAINTS ABOUT GALANTS. I HAVE A FRIEND THAT ALSO HAS A BLACK GALANT WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE SHOULD BE SOMETHING THE DEALERSHIP COULD DO BECAUSE THERE ARE TOO MANY GALANTS WITH THIS PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10155664

Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2006
Suspension

DEFECTIVE LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10153701

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2006
Unknown Or Other

I HAVE A 1999 "BLACK" MITSUBISHI GALANT, WHICH I PURCHASED BRAND NEW. THE COMPLAINT IS OVER THE PAINT JOB, I HAVE NOTICE SEVERAL DIFFERENT "BLACK OR DARK COLORED" GALANT HAVE MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE PAINT JOB, WHERE THE CLEAR COAT HAS TOTALLY BEEN DESTROYED BY OXIDATION. "THIS IS A MANUFACTURE'S FLAW!!" *NM

NHTSA ODI #10153229

144,674 miles · Mar 7, 2006
VisibilityWheels

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER SWITCH/WIRING IS BROKE. THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL, #99V305001 CONCERNING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER: SWITCH; WIRING HOWEVER THE RECALL DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN. THE HUB CAPS ALSO WILL NOT STAY ON. THE CONTACT HAS REPLACED NU…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER SWITCH/WIRING IS BROKE. THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL, #99V305001 CONCERNING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER: SWITCH; WIRING HOWEVER THE RECALL DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN. THE HUB CAPS ALSO WILL NOT STAY ON. THE CONTACT HAS REPLACED NUMEROUS HUBCAPS. THE DEALER DOES NOT OFFER A SOLUTION, THEREFORE, THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10152129

47,560 miles · Jan 5, 2006
Steering

MY CAR DRIVING ABILITY SEEMS OKAY BUT AT TIMES IT TENDS TO PULL TO THE SIDE AS IF I'M ABOUT TO MAKE A TURN. SECONDLY, IT'S BEEN MAKING A CLINGING SOUND. I TOOK IT TO A MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP AND THEY CAN'T SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM WHERE THE NOISE IS COMING FROM AND I'M CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY AT TIMES DRIVING MY CAR BECAUSE THI…

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MY CAR DRIVING ABILITY SEEMS OKAY BUT AT TIMES IT TENDS TO PULL TO THE SIDE AS IF I'M ABOUT TO MAKE A TURN. SECONDLY, IT'S BEEN MAKING A CLINGING SOUND. I TOOK IT TO A MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP AND THEY CAN'T SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM WHERE THE NOISE IS COMING FROM AND I'M CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY AT TIMES DRIVING MY CAR BECAUSE THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROCESS EVERY SINCE I GOT MY CAR, KNOW ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10146974

Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 2005
Unknown Or Other

1999 GALANT CLEAR COAT DEFECTIVE. I BOUGHT THE CAR A YEAR OLD AND WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR THE CLEAR COAT STARTED TO FLAKE OFF THE ROOF AND TRUNK. I BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE PAINT THAT WAS USED. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THAT THE CAR IS TO NEW TO HAVE THIS MUCH PAINT DAMAGE. AND NO I HAV…

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1999 GALANT CLEAR COAT DEFECTIVE. I BOUGHT THE CAR A YEAR OLD AND WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR THE CLEAR COAT STARTED TO FLAKE OFF THE ROOF AND TRUNK. I BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE PAINT THAT WAS USED. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THAT THE CAR IS TO NEW TO HAVE THIS MUCH PAINT DAMAGE. AND NO I HAVE NOT USED ANYTHING ON IT, SUCH AS CHEMICALS OR SO ON THAT HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY STATED BY OTHER DEALERS. I CONSIDER THIS POOR MANUFACTURER AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10145769

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2005
Power Train

VEHICLE VIBRATES VIOLENTLY AT SPEEDS 40-50 MPH. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10139043

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

Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2005
Structure

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ADJUSTING THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT FOOT HITS THE TRUNK OPENER, CAUSING THE TRUNK TO COME OPEN. THHIS E CONTACT CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, BUT HAS NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10132508

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

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.