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Mitsubishi Galant Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints

What this means

We rank Mitsubishi Galant model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2011 drew the fewest (3) and the 1999 the most (215).

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Complaints filed by model year

3 settled years with the fewest complaints3 settled years with the mostStill collecting reports

Every year compared

Mitsubishi Galant model years: complaints filed with NHTSA, recall campaigns, most-reported component, crash stars and combined mpg. Select a column heading to sort.
Most-reported component
2011
Among the fewest complaints		 3 0 Air bags — 24
2008
Among the fewest complaints		 6 0 Engine — 20–23
1993
Among the fewest complaints		 9 0 Air bags — 20–22
2010 9 1 Air bags — 24
2012 9 0 Wheels — 24
2009 16 0 Air bags — 19–23
2006 24 1 Electrical system — 19–23
2007 24 1 Air bags — 19–23
2005 26 3 Service brakes — 19–23
1998 53 1 Power train — 22–23
2004 61 1 Structure — 19–23
1997 80 1 Suspension — 20–23
2003 126 2 Visibility — 21
2002 135 2 Service brakes — 20–21
1996 136 3 Power train — 22–23
2000 136 6 Structure — 20–21
2001 151 7 Service brakes — 20–21
1994
Among the most complaints		 198 3 Suspension — 20–23
1995
Among the most complaints		 209 5 Suspension — 20–23
1999
Among the most complaints		 215 5 Service brakes — 20–23

Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

What owners reported in the Mitsubishi Galant years with the most complaints

These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.

1999 Mitsubishi Galant: 215 complaints

Most-reported: Service brakes 96 (45%); Suspension 26 (12%); Electrical system 21 (10%).

Reports mention 30 crashes, 10 fires, 17 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 80,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.

1995 Mitsubishi Galant: 209 complaints

Most-reported: Suspension 69 (33%); Service brakes 35 (17%); Air bags 30 (14%).

Reports mention 32 crashes, 5 fires, 25 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 122,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.

1994 Mitsubishi Galant: 198 complaints

Most-reported: Suspension 57 (29%); Air bags 35 (18%); Power train 25 (13%).

Reports mention 34 crashes, 5 fires, 17 injuries, 2 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 121,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.

The Mitsubishi Galant years with the fewest complaints

2011 Mitsubishi Galant: 3 complaints

Most-reported: Air bags 2 (67%); Electronic stability control 1 (33%); Engine 1 (33%).

Reports mention 2 crashes, 5 injuries. 0 recall campaigns listed.

2008 Mitsubishi Galant: 6 complaints

Most-reported: Engine 2 (33%); Structure 2 (33%); Air bags 1 (17%).

0 recall campaigns listed.

1993 Mitsubishi Galant: 9 complaints

Most-reported: Air bags 2 (22%); Engine and engine cooling 2 (22%); Seat belts 2 (22%).

Reports mention 1 crash, 2 injuries. 0 recall campaigns listed.

Crashes, fires and injuries in Mitsubishi Galant owner reports

Mitsubishi Galant owner complaints to NHTSA that report a crash, fire, injury or death, and the typical odometer reading when filed
Model yearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTypical miles at filing
201291010—
201132050—
201092030—
200916304068,000
200860000—
200724506088,000
200624412065,000
200526111031,000
200461501172,500
200312615413164,000
2002135211019164,895
2001151401122060,000
2000136151615084,000
1999215301017180,000
1998533030104,810
199780917095,087
199613627423098,600
1995209325250122,000
1994198345172121,000
199391020—

Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Largest Mitsubishi Galant recalls

  • INTERIOR SYSTEMS:ACTIVE RESTRAINTS:BELT BUCKLES (1986–1989 model years; 658,000 vehicles across all models; filed May 1995; 95V103004)
  • MITSUBISHI AMERICA/LOWER BALL JOINT BOOT (1994–1998 model years; 567,432 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2000; 00V421001)
  • MITSUBISHI/LOWER BALL JOINT BOOT (1994–1996 model years; 307,000 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 1999; 99V066001)
  • MITSUBISHI AMERICA/TRANSMISSION HOSE (1999–2001 model years; 277,227 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2001; 01V011001)
  • MITSUBISHI AMERICA/STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY (1999–2000 model years; 228,294 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2000; 00V225001)

All 24 Mitsubishi Galant recall campaigns · Mitsubishi Galant problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist

What the numbers can't tell you

  • Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
  • Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
  • The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.

Mitsubishi Galant years FAQ

Which Mitsubishi Galant year has the fewest complaints?

Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2011 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (3). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.

Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?

Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.

Are there Mitsubishi Galant years to avoid?

No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 1999, 1995 and 1994 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the service brakes. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.

What is the most common Mitsubishi Galant problem?

Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the service brakes (320 of 1,626 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.

How many recalls does the Mitsubishi Galant have?

NHTSA lists 24 recall campaigns covering the Mitsubishi Galant. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Mitsubishi Galant recall page.

Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?

Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.

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

Data sources

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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