Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1990 Mitsubishi Galant: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1990 Mitsubishi Galant, most recently filed July 1998. Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (1)

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1990 Mitsubishi Galant. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1990 Mitsubishi Galant. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 98V168000 Filed Jul 22, 1998

MITSUBISHI/TRANSFER CASE

Power train · automatic transmission
Official NHTSA text
Summary
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ALL WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ADEQUACY OF THE TRANSFER CASE OIL VOLUME, TRANSFER CASE OIL LEAKAGE, AND OPERATIONAL DEGRADATION OF THE TRANSFER CASE MECHANISM. IF OIL VOLUME IS INSUFFICIENT, THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF OIL WILL BE ADDED. IF THERE IS TRANSFER CASE OIL LEAKAGE, AFFECTED COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED. IF THE TRANSFER CASE SHOWS OPERATIONAL DEGRADATION, THE TRANSFER CASE WILL BE REPLACED.
Repair progress not yet reported9,560 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 98V168000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (21)

21 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The power train is mentioned most often.

0involved a crash
1involved a fire
0injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1990 Mitsubishi Galant, by component (top 7). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 21.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1990 compares with other Galant years

Best and worst Galant years →
1986198719881989199019911992199319941995
This year (1990)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 22 mpg combined

22
mpg combined
20
city
27
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,050
CO₂ tailpipe
404 g/mi
EPA class
Compact Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,969per year
$247per month
682gallons a year

Miles ÷ 22 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

1990 Mitsubishi Galant configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive20 / 27 / 22$3,050404
2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive19 / 25 / 21$3,200423
2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive18 / 25 / 21$3,200423
2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive18 / 24 / 20$3,350444
2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive18 / 21 / 19$3,550468

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1990 Galant for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Galant years

Where to next

1990 Mitsubishi Galant FAQ

How many recalls does the 1990 Mitsubishi Galant have?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 98V168000 (power train). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1990 Mitsubishi Galant problems?

Owners filed 21 complaints with NHTSA. Power train (9), Engine and engine cooling (6), Seat belts (6) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1990 Mitsubishi Galant get?

EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 20 city, 27 highway and 22 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 1990 Galant compare with other years?

Among the 1986–1995 Mitsubishi Galant model years at least five years old, the 1986 drew the fewest complaints (4) and the 1995 the most (209). The 1990 drew 21. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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