Model year record

1994 Mitsubishi Galant recalls & problems

The 1994 Mitsubishi Galant has 4 safety recalls and 198 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is suspension (66 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints198filed by owners

Crashes · fires33 · 5reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths17 · 2reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Fuel system, gasolineJul 26, 2007

Delivery › Fuel pump

Recall 07E055000222 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLIES, P/N E7081H, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WALL OF THE FLARED FITTING OF THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT THICK ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE MATING THREADED FITTINGS FROM BOTTOMING OUT BEFORE AN ADEQUATE SEAL IS ACHIEVED. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION OF THE VEHICLE FUEL LINE AND THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLY.
Risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AIRTEX AUTOMOTIVE AT 800-880-3056.

SuspensionDec 18, 2000

Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint

Recall 00V421001567,432 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, DIRT AND WATER CAN INTRUDE. ALSO, MMC HAS ADDED THE POTENTIAL OF LEAKING MOISTURE, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE BALL STUD TO CORRODE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS CAMPAIGN SUPERCEDES MMC'S PREVIOUS SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN, SEE 99V-066.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT FOR WEAR. BALL JOINTS THAT EXHIBIT WEAR BEYOND THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEWLY DESIGNED LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS. BALL JOINTS THAT ARE WITHIN THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE CLEANED AND A SPECIAL SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED TO PREVENT INTRUSION OF MOISTURE.

SuspensionApr 5, 1999

Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint

Recall 99V066001307,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, DIRT AND WATER CAN INTRUDE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RUBBER BOOTS, AND IF THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THEY WILL REPLACE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM AND BALL JOINT ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.

Exterior lightingSep 8, 1998

Tail lights › Switch

Recall 98V21200017,079 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. WHEN THE STOP LAMP SWITCH WAS ASSEMBLED, GREASE WAS INADVERTENTLY APPLIED TO THE CONTACT POINT. THIS CAN CAUSE THE CONTACT POINT TO HEAT UP CAUSING INTERNAL OPERATION ELEMENTS TO MELT ALLOWING THE SWTICH TO BECOME STUCK IN ON OR OFF POSITION.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY AND REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1994 Mitsubishi Galant 4-DR

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Galant

23mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Galant

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Galant

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel

Galant

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
SuspensionFront › Control arm › Lower ball joint; Front › Control arm	66	3	0	0	98,000 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window	42	33	2	20	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Axle assembly	26	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor	20	2	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	18	0	1	0	—
StructureBody › Door; Body	15	0	0	0	—
Electrical systemIgnition; Wiring	13	0	3	0	—
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar; Linkages › Tie rod assembly	12	3	0	0	—
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Windshield	11	0	0	0	—
Exterior lightingBrake lights › Switch; Headlights	10	0	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Anchorage; Front › Buckle assembly	9	4	0	4	—
Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch; Hood › Latch	7	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Wheels
PURCHASED 3 TIRES JUNE 18TH 2016. BY THE END OF THE DAY MY SPARE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY I TOOK IT BACK AND HAD A NEW ONE PUT BACK ON IT. JUNE 19TH THE TIRE THAT WAS PUT ON MY CAR ALSO WENT FLAT WHILE SITTING IN A PARKING LOT. I DECIDED TO FILE THIS FORMAL COMPLAINT DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY REFUSED TO GIVE ME A REFUND OF $30 FOR THE BAD TIRE. ALSO DUE TO THE FACT THAT TWO OF THE THREE TIRES PURCHASED TWO WENT FLAT AND LESS THAN 48 HOURS OF PURCHASE DATE.
Jun 19, 2016
Air bags1 injury
FRONTAL AUTO ACCIDENT 1994 MITSIBISHI GALANT LS AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY! *TR
Nov 10, 2009 · 168 miles
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
THE WHEEL OF MY DAUGHTER'S MITSUBISHI GALANT FELL OFF! WHILE PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT OUR HOME, THE GALANT'S BALL JOINT ON THE LOWER LATERAL CONTROL ARM FAILED. THE BALL JOINT PULLED OUT OF THE SOCKET AND THE TRANSAXLE PULLED OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. THIS RESULTED IN THE WHEEL FALLING AGAINST THE WHEEL WELL (LITERALLY FALLING OFF THE CAR!) THERE WAS NO GREASE IN THE BALL JOINT SOCKET. THANKFULLY, THIS OCCURRED AT A VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED. IF IT HAD HAPPENED ON THE EXPRESSWAY, IT WOULD HAVE DEFINITELY CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT! THIS 1994 GALANT HAS ONLY 86,000 MILES ON IT, AND HAS NO OPEN RECALLS. MY DAUGHTER HAD TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE THE INCIDENT…
Jul 27, 2007 · 86,000 miles
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
A NEAR MISS. THE NUT ON THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CAME OFF ON DRIVERS SIDE. 75 MPH AND THANK GOODNESS I WAS STRONG TO PULL THE ASPHALT EATING FRONT END TO THE SIDE. GOING DOWNHILL HEARD WHAT WAS THOUGHT TO BE A PEBBLE HIT THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR AND THEN WAS BEING PULLED UNDER THE ONCOMING SEMI. UPON FINALLY STOPPING ON THE SHOULDER, I GOT OUT LOOKED AT MY TIRE SITTING PERPENDICULAR TO THE CAR, THE CARS FRONT END SITTING ON THE GROUND,(I HAVE PHOTO'S) I LOOKED BACK TO SEE A GROVE AND A BLACK LINE TRAVELING FROM THE LEFT LANE TO THE CENTER LINE BACK TO THE LEFT LANE AND TO MY GALANT'S RESTING PLACE. AT 48 YEARS OLD I HAVE DRIVEN MANY A CAR, NEVER HAVE I COME SO NEAR TO MEETING MY MAKER. THE…
Aug 15, 2006
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
PURSUANT TO THE BALL JOINT RECALL FOR MY 1994 MITSUBISHI GALANT, I TOOK MY CAR TO OURISMAN MITSUBISHI IN 2004 WHO THEN INSPECTED THE BOOT, NOTICED THE BOOT WAS BROKEN YET THE SERVICEMAN RESEALED THE BOOT AND INFORMED ME THAT THE CAR WAS CHECKED AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE INTACT. IN AUGUST 2005, WHILE I WAS HAVING MY CAR SERVICE FOR A WATER PUMP PROBLEM, THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE IT REPLACED. *JB
Aug 8, 2005
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
DURING REPLACEMENT OF STRUTS SERVICE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT BALL JOINTS HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY. *TS THE MANUFACTURER HAS RECALLED MANY BALL JOINTS RECALL #SR-04-001 ACCORDING TO ALLDATA. *NM
Aug 22, 2005
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR MY 1994 MITSUBISHI GALANT LS ,AND I TOOK MY CAR TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP, OURISMAN MITSUBISHI, LAST YEAR CONCERNING THE LOWER ARM BALL JOINT. IT WAS DETERMINED THERE THAT THE BALL JOINT WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. AFTER HAVING MY CAR INSPECTED BY MY PRIVATE AND CERTIFIED MECHANIC HE STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT I REPLACE THIS VERY PART. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE BALL JOINT IS IN SERIOUS NEED OF REPLACEMENT.*AK
Apr 13, 2004 · 71,904 miles
Electrical system › Ignition
DT: CALLER SAYS THE CAR STALLED AT ANY SPEED. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER COULD NOT FIND WHAT WAS WRONG WITH VEHICLE. THEY COULD NOT REPLACE PARTS UNTIL THEY FIND THE ONE THAT WORKED MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TWICE. *AK
Dec 7, 2004 · 124,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

LOWER CONTRTOL ARM BALL JOINTClosedLed to recall 00V421001
There is no summary currently available
RQ00015 · opened Aug 2, 2000 · closed Apr 20, 2001
STOP LAMP SWITCHClosedLed to recall 98V212000
ALLEGED FAILURE OF THE STOP LAMP SWITCH PREVENTS ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS DURING BRAKING AND INHIBITS DISENGAGEMENT OF CRUISE CONTROL VIA THE BRAKE PEDAL
PE98032 · opened May 22, 1998 · closed Sep 8, 1998