← New search

2002 Mitsubishi Galant

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Galant years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant are substantially higher than the model-year median of 26.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected 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

77 reports with mileage · 58 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.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. 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.

21 crash reports10 fire reports15 injury reports

What owners actually said

135 reports
40,000 miles · Dec 14, 2005
Electrical System

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 02V147000 CONCERNING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10145168

Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicStructure

MY MITSUBISHI G IS A 2002. I BOUGHT IT 2/2004 FROM CARMAX! NOT EVEN 3 MONTHS INTO DRIVING MY CAR, I'VE HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS WHICH BEGAN SQUEAKING, THEN GRINDING. CARMAX CHANGED THE PADS AND I STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AT LEAST 3 MONTHS LATER! I BOUGHT 4 NEW TIRES FROM SEARS! THIS IS NOT MY 1ST CAR AND I KNOW BRAKES SHOULD NOT BE …

Read full complaint

MY MITSUBISHI G IS A 2002. I BOUGHT IT 2/2004 FROM CARMAX! NOT EVEN 3 MONTHS INTO DRIVING MY CAR, I'VE HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS WHICH BEGAN SQUEAKING, THEN GRINDING. CARMAX CHANGED THE PADS AND I STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AT LEAST 3 MONTHS LATER! I BOUGHT 4 NEW TIRES FROM SEARS! THIS IS NOT MY 1ST CAR AND I KNOW BRAKES SHOULD NOT BE CHANGED THAT OFTEN. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR. THEY ARE GOOD FOR SAYING THE COMPLAINTS ARE NOT LISTED ON THE WARRANTY. OH AND EVERYTIME IT RAINS, MY ENTIRE LEFT SIDE IS DRENCHED ONLY ON THE FLOOR! THE DEALER I PURCHASED SAYS THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. NOW MY INSIDE FLOORS ARE GETTING WORSE. EVERY TIME IT RAINS HEAVY! THE MITSUBISHI HUB CAPS NEVER STAY ON THE TIRES! THE HEATING SYSTEM MAKES NOISE WHEN YOU TURN TEMPERATURE FROM HOT TO COLD???? I'VE ALWAYS THOUGHT THIS MAKE CAR WERE A SATISFYING COMPANY. BLUE BOOK CAR VALUE SHOULD REALLY INVESTIGATE THE CARS MADE BY MITSUBISHI DURING THE ENTIRE 2000 YEARS! NOT TO MENTION PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF ARE MAKING CAR PAYMENTS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10141122

40,000 miles · Oct 24, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

MITSUBISHI GALLANT: I BOUGHT THIS CAR PRE-OWNED, WITH 40K MILES. I HAVE ALREADY SERVICE MY BRAKES ABOUT 4 TIMES. I USED HAVE A DEALER WARRANTY, BUT IT WAS USELESS. A MECHANIC THAT I TRUST TOLD ME THAT MY ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, HE DIDN'T ADVICE ME TO REPLACE THEM BECAUSE IT WAS AN EXPENSIVE JOB AND THERE WAS NOT WAR…

Read full complaint

MITSUBISHI GALLANT: I BOUGHT THIS CAR PRE-OWNED, WITH 40K MILES. I HAVE ALREADY SERVICE MY BRAKES ABOUT 4 TIMES. I USED HAVE A DEALER WARRANTY, BUT IT WAS USELESS. A MECHANIC THAT I TRUST TOLD ME THAT MY ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, HE DIDN'T ADVICE ME TO REPLACE THEM BECAUSE IT WAS AN EXPENSIVE JOB AND THERE WAS NOT WARRANTY THAT THE CAR WILL NOT CONTINUE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM DUE TO FACTORY DEFECTS. HE TOLD ME TO LOOK ON THIS PAGE FOR MANY ISSUES ON THIS CAR. I WILL GET RID OF THIS CAR AS SOON AS I CAN. I WILL NEVER BUY THIS BRAND OF CAR AGAIN, I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10140630

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

DT: THE CONTACT STATED CAR HAS BEEN STALLING FOR SEVERAL YEARS. WHEN SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY TOLD HER THE PROBLEM EMERGED BECAUSE OF LOW MAINTENANCE ON THE CAR. SHE TOOL VEHICLE FOR SERVICE, BUT NOT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT WAS TOO EXPENSIVE. SINCE 3-2003 WATER LEAKED INTO THE CAR. WATER BUILD UP INSIDE OF TH…

Read full complaint

DT: THE CONTACT STATED CAR HAS BEEN STALLING FOR SEVERAL YEARS. WHEN SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY TOLD HER THE PROBLEM EMERGED BECAUSE OF LOW MAINTENANCE ON THE CAR. SHE TOOL VEHICLE FOR SERVICE, BUT NOT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT WAS TOO EXPENSIVE. SINCE 3-2003 WATER LEAKED INTO THE CAR. WATER BUILD UP INSIDE OF THE CAR FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER. ALSO, HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. WHEN THE WATER ACCUMULATED IN THE CAR IT WILL LOCK ON ITS OWN. THE AIR CONDITIONER WILL NOT COME ON SOMETIMES. THERE WAS MOLD IN THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE WATER. THE CAR SEAT WAS SOAKED FROM THE WATER. ON 9-3-05, AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, SHE PICKED IT UP AND THE WATER BUILT UP IN THE CAR AGAIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10136179

64,895 miles · Aug 12, 2005
Electrical SystemFireInjury

DT: ON 7-11-05 THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. DRIVER AND PASSENGER DROVE ON AND OFF ALL DAY. THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR BURST INTO FLAMES. THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED, AND THE WINDOWS ROLLED UP AND DOWN ON THEIR OWN. DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO KICK THE DOOR OPEN. BOTH PASSENGERS EXITED THROUGH THE DRIVE…

Read full complaint

DT: ON 7-11-05 THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. DRIVER AND PASSENGER DROVE ON AND OFF ALL DAY. THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR BURST INTO FLAMES. THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED, AND THE WINDOWS ROLLED UP AND DOWN ON THEIR OWN. DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO KICK THE DOOR OPEN. BOTH PASSENGERS EXITED THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE. AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE THE PASSENGER GOT A GALLON OF WATER TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. WHEN SHE POURED WATER ONTO THE PASSENGER'S DOOR THE FIRE WENT OUT, BUT THERE WAS STILL SMOKE COMING FROM THE DOOR. THE FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AREA AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE HEATING VENTS. PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED WITH THE HEATER OFF. ON THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT WHEN SHE GOT A CD OUT OF THE STEREO IT WAS TOO HOT TO HOLD. AFTER THE INCIDENT THE CD IN THE STEREO WAS WET. THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. THE PASSENGER HAD TO BE HOSPITALIZED, AND WAS UNDER TREATMENT FOR DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY. THERE WAS A COURT PETITION TO HAVE HER HOSPITALIZED IN THE FORENSIC WARD. POLICE TRANSPORTED HER TO ANOTHER HOSPITAL AND HAD SECURITY GUARDS ESCORT HER. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED SECOND DEGREE BURNS ON HER LEG. SHE CONTACTED MITSUBISHI AND THE INSURANCE AGENCY. *AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #10130143

100,000 miles · Aug 8, 2005
Electrical System

THE FLASHERS OF MY 2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT FAIL TO WORK. I HAVE CHANGED OUT THE FUSE SEVERAL TIMES ONLY FOR THE FLASHERS TO FAIL IN LESS THAN A MONTH. THE PROBLEM IN ITSELF IS NOT ABSOLUTE. I HAVE RAN OVER A ROUGH AREA ON THE ROAD AND THE FLASHERS HAVE STARTED WORKING AGAIN, BUT ONLY FOR ONE WEEK. I CALLED MITSUBISHI (800-222…

Read full complaint

THE FLASHERS OF MY 2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT FAIL TO WORK. I HAVE CHANGED OUT THE FUSE SEVERAL TIMES ONLY FOR THE FLASHERS TO FAIL IN LESS THAN A MONTH. THE PROBLEM IN ITSELF IS NOT ABSOLUTE. I HAVE RAN OVER A ROUGH AREA ON THE ROAD AND THE FLASHERS HAVE STARTED WORKING AGAIN, BUT ONLY FOR ONE WEEK. I CALLED MITSUBISHI (800-222-0037) ON 8 AUG 2005 @1:30PM AT WHICH TIME I GAVE THEM MY NAME, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER AND VIN [XXX]. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL IN THEIR DATA BASE FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. I FOUND INFORMATION ON THE NHTSA SITE (RECALL ID: 02V147000) AT WHICH TIME I CALLED TO GET MORE INFORMATION AND WAS ADVISED TO SUBMIT A COMPLAINT.*JB UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #10131974

Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I PURCHASED MY 2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT ON FEBRUARY 2002. I HAVE HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS FROM THE 1ST WEEK I PURCHASED IT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES AND ALSO CALLED NUMEROUS TIMES THAT YEAR. EVERY YEAR FROM THEN, I HAVE HAD BRAKE PADS PUT ON MAYBE 3 TIMES PER YEAR. EVERY OTHER MONTH, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH SOM…

Read full complaint

I PURCHASED MY 2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT ON FEBRUARY 2002. I HAVE HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS FROM THE 1ST WEEK I PURCHASED IT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES AND ALSO CALLED NUMEROUS TIMES THAT YEAR. EVERY YEAR FROM THEN, I HAVE HAD BRAKE PADS PUT ON MAYBE 3 TIMES PER YEAR. EVERY OTHER MONTH, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH SOMETHING IS GOING WRONG WITH MY BRAKES. JUST LAST YEAR, I HAD BRAKE PADS PUT ON AND ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS. JUST TODAY, I HEARD MY BRAKES SCRUBBING AND WHISTLING WHEN I'M DRIVING. SOMETHING IS DEFINETLY WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10128701

Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

OUR GALANT HAS SQUEAKING AND GRINDING WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. CURRENTLY AT 46,000 MILES, AND THE 4TH SET OF BRAKES AND 2ND ROTORS WILL BE INSTALLED. DEALER SAYS IT IS DRIVING HABITS AND WILL NOT FIX EVEN THOUGH I PURCHASED EXTENDED 75,000 WARRANTY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10114064

37,000 miles · Mar 1, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKES VIBRATE, GRIND, SQUEAL AND FADE. MITSUBISHI SAYS NOTHING WRONG AND KEEPS RESURFACING ROTORS AND REPLACING PADS. FIRST BRAKE JOB WAS AT APPROX. 850 MILES, THEY SAID FAULTY CALIPER SUPPORTS WERE THE CAUSE. THEY SQUEAL FROM THE MOMENT I PICK UP THE CAR FROM SERVICE AND START TO GRIND AND PULSATE RELIGIOUSLY EVERY 5000 MIL…

Read full complaint

BRAKES VIBRATE, GRIND, SQUEAL AND FADE. MITSUBISHI SAYS NOTHING WRONG AND KEEPS RESURFACING ROTORS AND REPLACING PADS. FIRST BRAKE JOB WAS AT APPROX. 850 MILES, THEY SAID FAULTY CALIPER SUPPORTS WERE THE CAUSE. THEY SQUEAL FROM THE MOMENT I PICK UP THE CAR FROM SERVICE AND START TO GRIND AND PULSATE RELIGIOUSLY EVERY 5000 MILES AFTER BRAKE SERVICE. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ABOUT SEVEN TIMES AND THEY TELL ME THAT THE BRAKES ARE OVER HEATING DUE TO DRIVING HABITS AND LOCAL TRAFFIC. NONE OF MY OTHER VEHICLES EVER HAD ISSUES LIKE THIS DRIVING IN THE SAME TRAFFIC. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10112325

12,000 miles · Feb 28, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE ROTORS JERK VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10112269

Official recalls

2

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.

02V147000 · Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

May 29, 2002

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, ROUTING OF THE VEHICLE'S FRONT HARNESS CAN ALLOW IT TO COME IN CONTACT WITH A ROUGH EDGE, ALLOWING ABRASION. THIS COULD RESULT IN GROUNDED CIRCUITS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THERE COULD BE A LOSS OF STOP OR TURN SIGNAL LAMP OPERATION OR ENGINE HESITATION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTOR, ELIMINATING ANY HARNESS CONTACT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 8, 2002. 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.

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

2

EA08011 · Passenger Door Fire

Opened Jul 1, 2008 · Closed Aug 21, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers; Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash; Visibility; Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls

IN RESPONSE TO THIS INVESTIGATION, MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA (MMNA) INITIATED A SPECIAL PROGRAM ON JULY 31, 2009, TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001-2003 GALANT VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SWITCHES TO 10 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.NOTIFICATION OF THIS SPECIAL COVERAGE PROGRAM TO ALL REGISTERED VEHICLE OWNERS IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN LATE-SEPTEMBER 2009.OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH (BLOWN FUSE, INTERMITTENT OPERATION OR POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTION) OR WHO SPILLED LIQUIDS OR BEVERAGES ONTO THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW SWITCH WILL BE ENTITLED TO HAVE THE SWITCH REPLACED AND ANY RELATED REPAIRS PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE.THE AGENCY IS AWARE OF 35 ALLEGED FRONT PASSENGER DOOR PANEL HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE INCIDENTS, INCLUDING THREE REPORTED MINOR BURNS OR BRUISES.THERE ARE NO REPORTED CRASHES OR FATALITIES.THERE ARE 307 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS OR SHORT CIRCUITS WITHOUT ANY REPORTED HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE.MMNA INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS OF FIRE-DAMAGED DOOR PANELS/SWITCHES FOUND EVIDENCE OF SPILLED LIQUIDS WITH HIGH SUGAR CONTENT ON THE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES.MMNA CLAIMS THE RESIDUE OF THESE LIQUIDS LED TO A SHORTING/SMOKE/ FIRE CONDITION INSIDE THE SWITCH/DOOR PANEL ASSEMBLY.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Additional source detail variants (5)

Electrical System

IN RESPONSE TO THIS INVESTIGATION, MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA (MMNA) INITIATED A SPECIAL PROGRAM ON JULY 31, 2009, TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001-2003 GALANT VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SWITCHES TO 10 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.NOTIFICATION OF THIS SPECIAL COVERAGE PROGRAM TO ALL REGISTERED VEHICLE OWNERS IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN LATE-SEPTEMBER 2009.OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH (BLOWN FUSE, INTERMITTENT OPERATION OR POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTION) OR WHO SPILLED LIQUIDS OR BEVERAGES ONTO THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW SWITCH WILL BE ENTITLED TO HAVE THE SWITCH REPLACED AND ANY RELATED REPAIRS PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE.THE AGENCY IS AWARE OF 35 ALLEGED FRONT PASSENGER DOOR PANEL HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE INCIDENTS, INCLUDING THREE REPORTED MINOR BURNS OR BRUISES.THERE ARE NO REPORTED CRASHES OR FATALITIES.THERE ARE 307 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS OR SHORT CIRCUITS WITHOUT ANY REPORTED HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE.MMNA INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS OF FIRE-DAMAGED DOOR PANELS/SWITCHES FOUND EVIDENCE OF SPILLED LIQUIDS WITH HIGH SUGAR CONTENT ON THE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES.MMNA CLAIMS THE RESIDUE OF THESE LIQUIDS LED TO A SHORTING/SMOKE/ FIRE CONDITION INSIDE THE SWITCH/DOOR PANEL ASSEMBLY.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

IN RESPONSE TO THIS INVESTIGATION, MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA (MMNA) INITIATED A SPECIAL PROGRAM ON JULY 31, 2009, TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001-2003 GALANT VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SWITCHES TO 10 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.NOTIFICATION OF THIS SPECIAL COVERAGE PROGRAM TO ALL REGISTERED VEHICLE OWNERS IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN LATE-SEPTEMBER 2009.OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH (BLOWN FUSE, INTERMITTENT OPERATION OR POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTION) OR WHO SPILLED LIQUIDS OR BEVERAGES ONTO THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW SWITCH WILL BE ENTITLED TO HAVE THE SWITCH REPLACED AND ANY RELATED REPAIRS PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE.THE AGENCY IS AWARE OF 35 ALLEGED FRONT PASSENGER DOOR PANEL HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE INCIDENTS, INCLUDING THREE REPORTED MINOR BURNS OR BRUISES.THERE ARE NO REPORTED CRASHES OR FATALITIES.THERE ARE 307 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS OR SHORT CIRCUITS WITHOUT ANY REPORTED HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE.MMNA INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS OF FIRE-DAMAGED DOOR PANELS/SWITCHES FOUND EVIDENCE OF SPILLED LIQUIDS WITH HIGH SUGAR CONTENT ON THE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES.MMNA CLAIMS THE RESIDUE OF THESE LIQUIDS LED TO A SHORTING/SMOKE/ FIRE CONDITION INSIDE THE SWITCH/DOOR PANEL ASSEMBLY.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash

IN RESPONSE TO THIS INVESTIGATION, MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA (MMNA) INITIATED A SPECIAL PROGRAM ON JULY 31, 2009, TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001-2003 GALANT VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SWITCHES TO 10 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.NOTIFICATION OF THIS SPECIAL COVERAGE PROGRAM TO ALL REGISTERED VEHICLE OWNERS IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN LATE-SEPTEMBER 2009.OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH (BLOWN FUSE, INTERMITTENT OPERATION OR POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTION) OR WHO SPILLED LIQUIDS OR BEVERAGES ONTO THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW SWITCH WILL BE ENTITLED TO HAVE THE SWITCH REPLACED AND ANY RELATED REPAIRS PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE.THE AGENCY IS AWARE OF 35 ALLEGED FRONT PASSENGER DOOR PANEL HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE INCIDENTS, INCLUDING THREE REPORTED MINOR BURNS OR BRUISES.THERE ARE NO REPORTED CRASHES OR FATALITIES.THERE ARE 307 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS OR SHORT CIRCUITS WITHOUT ANY REPORTED HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE.MMNA INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS OF FIRE-DAMAGED DOOR PANELS/SWITCHES FOUND EVIDENCE OF SPILLED LIQUIDS WITH HIGH SUGAR CONTENT ON THE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES.MMNA CLAIMS THE RESIDUE OF THESE LIQUIDS LED TO A SHORTING/SMOKE/ FIRE CONDITION INSIDE THE SWITCH/DOOR PANEL ASSEMBLY.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Visibility

IN RESPONSE TO THIS INVESTIGATION, MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA (MMNA) INITIATED A SPECIAL PROGRAM ON JULY 31, 2009, TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001-2003 GALANT VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SWITCHES TO 10 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.NOTIFICATION OF THIS SPECIAL COVERAGE PROGRAM TO ALL REGISTERED VEHICLE OWNERS IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN LATE-SEPTEMBER 2009.OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH (BLOWN FUSE, INTERMITTENT OPERATION OR POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTION) OR WHO SPILLED LIQUIDS OR BEVERAGES ONTO THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW SWITCH WILL BE ENTITLED TO HAVE THE SWITCH REPLACED AND ANY RELATED REPAIRS PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE.THE AGENCY IS AWARE OF 35 ALLEGED FRONT PASSENGER DOOR PANEL HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE INCIDENTS, INCLUDING THREE REPORTED MINOR BURNS OR BRUISES.THERE ARE NO REPORTED CRASHES OR FATALITIES.THERE ARE 307 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS OR SHORT CIRCUITS WITHOUT ANY REPORTED HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE.MMNA INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS OF FIRE-DAMAGED DOOR PANELS/SWITCHES FOUND EVIDENCE OF SPILLED LIQUIDS WITH HIGH SUGAR CONTENT ON THE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES.MMNA CLAIMS THE RESIDUE OF THESE LIQUIDS LED TO A SHORTING/SMOKE/ FIRE CONDITION INSIDE THE SWITCH/DOOR PANEL ASSEMBLY.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls

IN RESPONSE TO THIS INVESTIGATION, MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA (MMNA) INITIATED A SPECIAL PROGRAM ON JULY 31, 2009, TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001-2003 GALANT VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SWITCHES TO 10 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.NOTIFICATION OF THIS SPECIAL COVERAGE PROGRAM TO ALL REGISTERED VEHICLE OWNERS IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN LATE-SEPTEMBER 2009.OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH (BLOWN FUSE, INTERMITTENT OPERATION OR POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTION) OR WHO SPILLED LIQUIDS OR BEVERAGES ONTO THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW SWITCH WILL BE ENTITLED TO HAVE THE SWITCH REPLACED AND ANY RELATED REPAIRS PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE.THE AGENCY IS AWARE OF 35 ALLEGED FRONT PASSENGER DOOR PANEL HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE INCIDENTS, INCLUDING THREE REPORTED MINOR BURNS OR BRUISES.THERE ARE NO REPORTED CRASHES OR FATALITIES.THERE ARE 307 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS OR SHORT CIRCUITS WITHOUT ANY REPORTED HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE.MMNA INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS OF FIRE-DAMAGED DOOR PANELS/SWITCHES FOUND EVIDENCE OF SPILLED LIQUIDS WITH HIGH SUGAR CONTENT ON THE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES.MMNA CLAIMS THE RESIDUE OF THESE LIQUIDS LED TO A SHORTING/SMOKE/ FIRE CONDITION INSIDE THE SWITCH/DOOR PANEL ASSEMBLY.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

PE08014 · Passenger Door Fire

Opened Mar 4, 2008 · Closed Jul 1, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Electrical System:wiring; Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash; Visibility; Visibility:glass, Side/rear; Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls

COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR.IN MITSUBISHI'S RESPONSE TO ODI'S MARCH 12, 2008 INFORMATION REQUEST, MITSUBISHI ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT MAY OCCUR WHEN LARGE AMOUNTS OF LIQUIDS, MORE THAN 100CC (3.4 OZ), LIKE A SOFT DRINK WERE SPILLED DIRECTLY OVER THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AREA, ALL AT ONCE AND AT ONE TIME.MITSUBISHI FOUND THAT AS THE LIQUID DRIES OFF, ELECTROLYTES AND CARBONIZED PARTICLES ACCUMULATE BETWEEN THE TERMINALS IN THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AND BECOME A CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL.AS A RESULT, THE SWITCH MAY START TO HEAT UP AND MELT OR IGNITE THE PLASTIC COMPONENTS.HOWEVER, MITSUBISHI ALSO ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY RARE AND THAT BURNING DAMAGE WILL NOT OCCUR UNLESS LIQUIDS ENTER INTO THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH.ODI UPGRADED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, EA08-011, TO FURTHER EVALUATE THIS ISSUE.

Additional source detail variants (6)

Electrical System

COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR.IN MITSUBISHI'S RESPONSE TO ODI'S MARCH 12, 2008 INFORMATION REQUEST, MITSUBISHI ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT MAY OCCUR WHEN LARGE AMOUNTS OF LIQUIDS, MORE THAN 100CC (3.4 OZ), LIKE A SOFT DRINK WERE SPILLED DIRECTLY OVER THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AREA, ALL AT ONCE AND AT ONE TIME.MITSUBISHI FOUND THAT AS THE LIQUID DRIES OFF, ELECTROLYTES AND CARBONIZED PARTICLES ACCUMULATE BETWEEN THE TERMINALS IN THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AND BECOME A CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL.AS A RESULT, THE SWITCH MAY START TO HEAT UP AND MELT OR IGNITE THE PLASTIC COMPONENTS.HOWEVER, MITSUBISHI ALSO ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY RARE AND THAT BURNING DAMAGE WILL NOT OCCUR UNLESS LIQUIDS ENTER INTO THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH.ODI UPGRADED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, EA08-011, TO FURTHER EVALUATE THIS ISSUE.

Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash

COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR.IN MITSUBISHI'S RESPONSE TO ODI'S MARCH 12, 2008 INFORMATION REQUEST, MITSUBISHI ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT MAY OCCUR WHEN LARGE AMOUNTS OF LIQUIDS, MORE THAN 100CC (3.4 OZ), LIKE A SOFT DRINK WERE SPILLED DIRECTLY OVER THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AREA, ALL AT ONCE AND AT ONE TIME.MITSUBISHI FOUND THAT AS THE LIQUID DRIES OFF, ELECTROLYTES AND CARBONIZED PARTICLES ACCUMULATE BETWEEN THE TERMINALS IN THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AND BECOME A CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL.AS A RESULT, THE SWITCH MAY START TO HEAT UP AND MELT OR IGNITE THE PLASTIC COMPONENTS.HOWEVER, MITSUBISHI ALSO ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY RARE AND THAT BURNING DAMAGE WILL NOT OCCUR UNLESS LIQUIDS ENTER INTO THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH.ODI UPGRADED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, EA08-011, TO FURTHER EVALUATE THIS ISSUE.

Electrical System:wiring

COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR.IN MITSUBISHI'S RESPONSE TO ODI'S MARCH 12, 2008 INFORMATION REQUEST, MITSUBISHI ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT MAY OCCUR WHEN LARGE AMOUNTS OF LIQUIDS, MORE THAN 100CC (3.4 OZ), LIKE A SOFT DRINK WERE SPILLED DIRECTLY OVER THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AREA, ALL AT ONCE AND AT ONE TIME.MITSUBISHI FOUND THAT AS THE LIQUID DRIES OFF, ELECTROLYTES AND CARBONIZED PARTICLES ACCUMULATE BETWEEN THE TERMINALS IN THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AND BECOME A CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL.AS A RESULT, THE SWITCH MAY START TO HEAT UP AND MELT OR IGNITE THE PLASTIC COMPONENTS.HOWEVER, MITSUBISHI ALSO ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY RARE AND THAT BURNING DAMAGE WILL NOT OCCUR UNLESS LIQUIDS ENTER INTO THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH.ODI UPGRADED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, EA08-011, TO FURTHER EVALUATE THIS ISSUE.

Visibility:glass, Side/rear

COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR.IN MITSUBISHI'S RESPONSE TO ODI'S MARCH 12, 2008 INFORMATION REQUEST, MITSUBISHI ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT MAY OCCUR WHEN LARGE AMOUNTS OF LIQUIDS, MORE THAN 100CC (3.4 OZ), LIKE A SOFT DRINK WERE SPILLED DIRECTLY OVER THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AREA, ALL AT ONCE AND AT ONE TIME.MITSUBISHI FOUND THAT AS THE LIQUID DRIES OFF, ELECTROLYTES AND CARBONIZED PARTICLES ACCUMULATE BETWEEN THE TERMINALS IN THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AND BECOME A CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL.AS A RESULT, THE SWITCH MAY START TO HEAT UP AND MELT OR IGNITE THE PLASTIC COMPONENTS.HOWEVER, MITSUBISHI ALSO ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY RARE AND THAT BURNING DAMAGE WILL NOT OCCUR UNLESS LIQUIDS ENTER INTO THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH.ODI UPGRADED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, EA08-011, TO FURTHER EVALUATE THIS ISSUE.

Visibility

COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR.IN MITSUBISHI'S RESPONSE TO ODI'S MARCH 12, 2008 INFORMATION REQUEST, MITSUBISHI ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT MAY OCCUR WHEN LARGE AMOUNTS OF LIQUIDS, MORE THAN 100CC (3.4 OZ), LIKE A SOFT DRINK WERE SPILLED DIRECTLY OVER THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AREA, ALL AT ONCE AND AT ONE TIME.MITSUBISHI FOUND THAT AS THE LIQUID DRIES OFF, ELECTROLYTES AND CARBONIZED PARTICLES ACCUMULATE BETWEEN THE TERMINALS IN THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AND BECOME A CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL.AS A RESULT, THE SWITCH MAY START TO HEAT UP AND MELT OR IGNITE THE PLASTIC COMPONENTS.HOWEVER, MITSUBISHI ALSO ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY RARE AND THAT BURNING DAMAGE WILL NOT OCCUR UNLESS LIQUIDS ENTER INTO THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH.ODI UPGRADED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, EA08-011, TO FURTHER EVALUATE THIS ISSUE.

Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls

COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR.IN MITSUBISHI'S RESPONSE TO ODI'S MARCH 12, 2008 INFORMATION REQUEST, MITSUBISHI ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT MAY OCCUR WHEN LARGE AMOUNTS OF LIQUIDS, MORE THAN 100CC (3.4 OZ), LIKE A SOFT DRINK WERE SPILLED DIRECTLY OVER THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AREA, ALL AT ONCE AND AT ONE TIME.MITSUBISHI FOUND THAT AS THE LIQUID DRIES OFF, ELECTROLYTES AND CARBONIZED PARTICLES ACCUMULATE BETWEEN THE TERMINALS IN THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AND BECOME A CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL.AS A RESULT, THE SWITCH MAY START TO HEAT UP AND MELT OR IGNITE THE PLASTIC COMPONENTS.HOWEVER, MITSUBISHI ALSO ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY RARE AND THAT BURNING DAMAGE WILL NOT OCCUR UNLESS LIQUIDS ENTER INTO THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH.ODI UPGRADED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, EA08-011, TO FURTHER EVALUATE THIS ISSUE.