PAINT OXIDATION ON TRUNK, ROOF, AND HOOD OF A 2000 BLACK MITSUBISHI GALANT THAT STARTED AS A SMALL SPOT AND GREW WITH TIME. DID NOT NOTICE THIS WAS A NATIONWIDE ISSUE EXPERIENCED BY MANY BLACK CAR OWNERS UNTIL RECENTLY - DATA AND NEWS CLIPS WERE WIDESPREAD ON THE INTERNET.*AK
2000 Mitsubishi Galant
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Galant years
Owner complaints for the 2000 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
48 reports with mileage · 88 unknown
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.
- Structure. Review the 25 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 →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Structure complaints
25 reportsPAINT OXIDATION ON ROOF, HOOD AND TRUNK. *JB
I HAVE OWNED A 2000 GALANT BRAND NEW FOR THE PAST 5 YEARS. I KEEP UP WITH THE SERVICE, AND ALWAYS USE MITSUBISHI SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE PAST FEW MONTHS HOWEVER (SUMMER OF 2005) - RIGHT AROUND THE 5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY DATE - I NOTICE THAT EVERY TIME IT RAINS, THE "FLOOR OF THE DRIVER SIDE IS FLOODED WITH WATER". IT IS SUCH A …
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I HAVE OWNED A 2000 GALANT BRAND NEW FOR THE PAST 5 YEARS. I KEEP UP WITH THE SERVICE, AND ALWAYS USE MITSUBISHI SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE PAST FEW MONTHS HOWEVER (SUMMER OF 2005) - RIGHT AROUND THE 5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY DATE - I NOTICE THAT EVERY TIME IT RAINS, THE "FLOOR OF THE DRIVER SIDE IS FLOODED WITH WATER". IT IS SUCH A HUGE NUISANCE. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF THE TRAIL OF THE WATER AT ALL. I HAVE ASKED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO CHECK IT OUT, AND THEY MENTIONED THAT "MAYBE THE WATER IS COMING IN FROM THE SEAMS OF THE SUNROOF, ETC. , THAT IT MIGHT ALSO HAVE DEBRIS IN THE SUNROOF, AND THEY HAVE CLEANED IT OUT". THAT WAS OF NO HELP!!!! SO, MY CAR SMELLS SUPER MUSTY AND MILDEWY A FEW DAYS AFTER EVERY RAINFALL. I TRY TO DRY IT OUT AS MUCH AS I CAN, BY CHANGING THE MATS AND USING TOWELS TO SOAK UP THE WATER AFTER EVERY RAINFALL AND EVERY SNOW FALL. WHAT A MESS!!! THANK YOU. *NM
I AM VERY DISGUSTED, I PURCHASED MY 2000 MITUSBISHI GALANT APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, I WAS MY CAR WEEKLY AND WAX MY VEHICLE EVERY 4 TO 5 MONTHS, ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO MY CAR STARTED GETTING OXIDATION SPOTS, I HAVE A HUGE SPOT ON THE HOOD, ALL ACROSS THE TRUNK AND EVEN ON THE HOOD OF THE CAR, IT IS REALLY DISGUSTING AND T…
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I AM VERY DISGUSTED, I PURCHASED MY 2000 MITUSBISHI GALANT APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, I WAS MY CAR WEEKLY AND WAX MY VEHICLE EVERY 4 TO 5 MONTHS, ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO MY CAR STARTED GETTING OXIDATION SPOTS, I HAVE A HUGE SPOT ON THE HOOD, ALL ACROSS THE TRUNK AND EVEN ON THE HOOD OF THE CAR, IT IS REALLY DISGUSTING AND THROUGHOUT MY TOWN I HAVE SEEN APPROXIMATELY 5 OR 6 OTHER BLACK GALANTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS TO THEIR PAINT! I REALLY WISH SOMETHING WOULD BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE A PAINT JOB ISN'T EXACTLY CHEAP AND I'VE READ THROUGH THIS WEBSITE OF ALL THE OTHER 2000 BLACK GALANTS THAT ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP! *NM
ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO I NOTICED THAT THE PAINT ON MY BLACK CAR WAS STARTING TO GET WHITE/GRAY SPOTS ON THE TRUNK AND ROOF AREA MAINLY AROUND MY SUN ROOF. IT IS NOW GOTTEN MUCH WORSE AND HAS EVEN STARTED ON MY HOOD. MY CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD AND IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN KEPT IN THE GARAGE AND WASHED AND WAXED REGULARLY. I AM VERY DISP…
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ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO I NOTICED THAT THE PAINT ON MY BLACK CAR WAS STARTING TO GET WHITE/GRAY SPOTS ON THE TRUNK AND ROOF AREA MAINLY AROUND MY SUN ROOF. IT IS NOW GOTTEN MUCH WORSE AND HAS EVEN STARTED ON MY HOOD. MY CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD AND IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN KEPT IN THE GARAGE AND WASHED AND WAXED REGULARLY. I AM VERY DISPLEASED WITH THIS PAINT JOB. I NOTICED THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT FADING/OXIDATION AND FUNNY HOW MOST OF THEM ARE 2000 AND BLACK. SAME AS MINE.
I HAVE A 2000 GALANT AND ABOUT SEVEN MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR THE CLEAR COAT ON THE PAINT STARTED PELLING ON THE DRIVER SIDE, AND THE FRONT AND REAR BUMPER, I DID NOT KNOW THAT A CAR THAT NEW WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE PAINT DEFECTS. NOW MY CAR IS ONLY FIVE YEARS OLD, BUT I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR TWO YEARS AND IT LOOKS AS IF…
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I HAVE A 2000 GALANT AND ABOUT SEVEN MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR THE CLEAR COAT ON THE PAINT STARTED PELLING ON THE DRIVER SIDE, AND THE FRONT AND REAR BUMPER, I DID NOT KNOW THAT A CAR THAT NEW WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE PAINT DEFECTS. NOW MY CAR IS ONLY FIVE YEARS OLD, BUT I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR TWO YEARS AND IT LOOKS AS IF IT IS OVER TEN YEARS OLD AND WAS NEVER TAKEN CARE OF. I ALSO HAVE A RATTLING IN MY DASH AND THAT STARTED ABOUT THE SAME TIME, AND I TAKEN MY CAR SEVEAL TIMES TO THE DEALER TO HAVE ITS REGALUR MAINTANCE AND YET THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. *AK
(1) MINOR FRONT BUMPER IMPACT WAS TO BE REPAIRED UNDER AN INSURANCE CLAIM (2) IN TEARDOWN PROCESS FOUND SPOT WELDS THAT WERE RUSTED OUT AND IMPROPERLY SEALED. THIS WAS DETERMINED TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT - NATURE OF ACCIDENT WOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED DAMAGE TO APRON AREA. AS THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, REPAIR COULD NOT BE …
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(1) MINOR FRONT BUMPER IMPACT WAS TO BE REPAIRED UNDER AN INSURANCE CLAIM (2) IN TEARDOWN PROCESS FOUND SPOT WELDS THAT WERE RUSTED OUT AND IMPROPERLY SEALED. THIS WAS DETERMINED TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT - NATURE OF ACCIDENT WOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED DAMAGE TO APRON AREA. AS THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, REPAIR COULD NOT BE COMPLETED AND VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. (3) MITSUBISHI NOT CLAIMING RESPONSIBLITY. HAVE PHOTOS AND ADJUSTERS THAT REVIEWED VEHICLE THAT CAN PROVIDE STATEMENTS AS TO THIS BEING A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT
MY COMPLAINT OS ABOUT THE PAINT ON MY CAR IT IS CRACKING IN MANY DIFFERENT AREAS OF MY CAR FOR NO REASON. I HAD BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY THE HAD SENT IT TO BE REPAINTED BUT IT IS CRAKING IN CHUNKS ALL OVER AGAIN.*AK
I PURCHASED MY BLACK 2000 MITSUBISHI GALANT BRAND NEW IN AUGUST 2000. ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO I NOTICED THE PAINT IN A SMALL AREA ON MY HOOD APPEARED TO SHOW SOME OXIDATION. SINCE THAT TIME THE SPOT HAS GROWN IN SIZE AND SPREAD TO OTHER AREAS OF THE HOOD AND ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE WASHED AND WAXED THE CAR REGUL…
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I PURCHASED MY BLACK 2000 MITSUBISHI GALANT BRAND NEW IN AUGUST 2000. ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO I NOTICED THE PAINT IN A SMALL AREA ON MY HOOD APPEARED TO SHOW SOME OXIDATION. SINCE THAT TIME THE SPOT HAS GROWN IN SIZE AND SPREAD TO OTHER AREAS OF THE HOOD AND ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE WASHED AND WAXED THE CAR REGULARLY AND TAKEN MEASURES TO PROTECT THE PAINT JOB. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND IT SEEMS TO OCCUR ONLY ON MODELS PAINTED BLACK. I HAVE OBSERVED A FEW OTHER BLACK GALANTS AROUND TOWN THAT SEEM TO SHARE MY CAR'S PROBLEM. IT CAN ONLY BE EXPLAINED BY A DEFECT IN THE PAINT. I HAVE CONTACTED MY MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE TAKEN DOWN MY NAME AND NUMBER AND TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD FORWARD MY CONCERNS TO THE MITSUBISHI REPRESENTATIVE WHEN HE VISITS THIS MONTH. ACCORDING TO OTHER POSTS BY GALANT OWNERS, I AM NOT EXPECTING THAT THE PROBLEM WILL BE RESOLVED. I ENCOURAGE ANYONE READING THIS POST TO PLEASE ADD YOUR COMPLAINT IF YOUR CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK
ABOUT A SIX MONTHS AGO THE PAINT ON MY 2000 GALANT STARTED TO GET REAL BAD OXIDATION. NOW I KNOW THAT A CAR THAT IS 4 YRS OLD SHOULD NOT LOOK LIKE THAT. THE PROBLEM AREAS ARE THE HOOD AND THE ROOF.*AK
Official recalls
604V428000 · 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.
01V295001 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections
Sep 25, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH V6 ENGINES TO FEDERAL EMISSION STANDARDS. THE POWER STEERING FLUID FEED TUBE CAN COME IN CONTACT WITH AN EXHAUST MANIFOLD MOUNTED HEAT SHIELD CAUSING A HOLE TO BE WORN THROUGH THE POWER STEERING PIPE ALLOWING FLUID LEAKAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID CAN RESULT IN A FIRE AND CONTINUED LOSS OF FLUID WILL RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER ASSIST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING TUBE WITH ONE HAVING A NEW ROUTING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 26, 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 AMERICA AT 1-800-222-0037.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
Illustration