1997 MITSUBISHI GALANT

2 recalls, 110 complaints - 76 TSBs

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Defect Description

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 COND... Read more

Consequence

IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

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.

222 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: AIRTEX PRODUCTS

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

Defect Description

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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 T... Read more

567,432 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: MITSUBISHI AMERICA

Complaint Statistics

110 total complaints 12 crashes 1 fires 6 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT	12
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL	7
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR	5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC	4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS	4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP	3
POWER TRAIN	3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	3

Incident date: Aug 16, 2023

The rearview camera on this vehicle operates intermittently. When it is not operating, the infotainment screen is completely black (no distortion, no flickering, no image at all.) I realize that my vehicle is out of warranty (2010MY,) but the issue began in 2015 and has been gradually getting more ... Read more

Incident date: Apr 4, 2004

I PURCHASED A USED CAR IN 2004. LATER WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE BALLJOINT RECALL, THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO GET INVOLVE IN ASSISTING ME IN PURSUING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I HAD PURCHASED WITH THE CAR REGARDING OTHER CRITICAL ISSUES WITH THE DRIVABILITY OF THE VEHICLE. THIS... Read more

Incident date: Oct 11, 2012

I WAS AT A STOP SIGN AND I PRESSED ON THE GAS, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR JUST STOPPED MOVING. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, SHUT IT OFF, TURNED IT BACK ON, SHIFTED IT INTO DRIVE, AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE, IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS STUCK IN NEUTRAL. IT HAS NOT MOVED EVER SINCE. *TR

Incident date: Oct 11, 2012

Incident date: Dec 14, 2009

DEFECTIVE REAR DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLIES; BOTH SIDES. I HAVE REPLACED WITH OTHER USED PARTS AND THOSE PARTS CONSISTENTLY FAILED TOO. I HAVE FOUND FOUR ASSEMBLIES, ON OTHER USED GALANTS, AND THEY HAVE ALL FAILED. I AM AWARE THAT NEW PARTS WOULD HAVE BEEN IDEAL, HOWEVER I BELIEVE THAT IF THESE PARTS WERE... Read more

Incident date: Apr 20, 2009

DOOR LATCHES HAVE FLOWN OPEN OR UNLATCHED BY THEM SELVES WHILE DRIVING ON BOTH REAR DOORS. THE REAR DOOR DO NOT STAY CLOSED ANYMORE. PASSENGERS COULD HAVE FALLEN OUT OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

Incident date: Nov 8, 2008

I HAVE A 1997 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE SEATBELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WILL NOT STAY LOCKED. IT COMES OFF WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I CALLED TWO MITSUBISHI DEALERS IN VIRGINIA BEACH AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY. I THOUGHT SEATBELTS LASTED THE LIFETIME OF THE CAR. ... Read more

Incident date: Sep 21, 2006

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI GALANT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD CONSTANTLY PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A COLLISION SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SHOCK TOWER AND WHEEL WELL WALL WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. METAL WAS WELDED TO REINFORCE ... Read more

Incident date: Aug 13, 2008

LEFT TURN SIGNAL SWITCH STUCK ON FLASHING AND WOULD NOT SHUT OFF AFTER CANCELING. *TR

Incident date: Dec 1, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE IN PIECES. THE VEHICLE IS STEERING TO THE LEFT EXTREMELY BADLY AND THE CONTACT HEARS METAL RUBBING TOGETHER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDE... Read more

Incident date: Feb 2, 2008

TOOK MY 1997 MITSUBISHI TO CHERRY HILL TRIPLEX DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED MY FRONT LATERAL ARMS REPLACED; THAT THEY WERE ABOUT TO FALL OFF. I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR A YEAR; THAT'S NOT DAMAGE I COULD DO IN A YEAR. I WANT TO REQUEST THAT MITSUBISHI COVERS THE COST OR REIMBURSES ME FOR THIS... Read more

Incident date: Feb 10, 2007

RECEIVED RECALL FOR LOWER BALL JOINT IN 2001. BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T SHOW DAMAGE, THE DEALER ONLY LUBRICATED THEM. THE RIGHT ONE WENT OUT ALONG WITH THE TIE ROD END IN 2/07. I HAD IT REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHICH COST OVER $600.00. NOW, THE LEFT ONE IS GOING OUT. LUBRICATING A DEFECTIVE A... Read more

Incident date: Feb 10, 2007

Incident date: Aug 3, 2006

1997 MITSUBISHI GALANT-AUTO TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHAULED ON 08/03/2006 AND COST AROUND 2 GRAND. I NOTICED THAT VEHICLE'S GEAR SHIFT CAN BE ACCIDENTALLY BUMPED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL BECAUSE THIS GEAR CHANGE DOES NOT REQUIRE THE BRAKES TO BE PRESSED NOR THE GEAR ... Read more

Incident date: Aug 3, 2006

Incident date: Mar 11, 2006

WE PURCHASED A USED CAR THAT HAD A RECALL ON IT. AFTER MY WIFE AND CHILD ALMOST HAD A SERIOUS ACCIDENT I FOUND OUT THE RECALL WAS NEVER DONE. I ASKED THE DEALER IF IT WAS DONE AND THEY SAID YES. WE HAVE HAD COUNTLESS OTHER PROBLEMS WITH CAR. ARE THEY LIABLE FOR THIS??*JB

Incident date: May 31, 2005

DT: THE HARMONIC BALANCE FAILED. WHEN THE PART WAS TAKEN OFF THE MOTOR, IT FELL APART IN THE OWNER'S HANDS. THE PULLEY SEPARATED FROM HARMONIC BALANCER, AND CAUSED FAILURE OF THE BELTS. IT RESULTED IN CAR BEING NOW INOPERABLE. THE DRIVER WAS AT A LOW SPEED OF 10-15 MPH. IF THIS WOULD HAPPEN AT A HI... Read more

Incident date: Nov 24, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLES RIGHT FRONT WHEEL LITERALLY CAME OFF THE AXLE. THIS HAPPENED WHEN CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO OFFICE DRIVEWAY. THERE WAS NO RESULT IN INJURY. CONSUMER'S BACK SEATS MOVE FRONT AND BACK, ESPECIALLY WHEN COMING TO AN IMMEDIATE STOP. IT CAME TO THE POINT... Read more

Incident date: Aug 20, 2004

FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. RECALL 00V421001. DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK

Incident date: Jun 8, 2004

CONSUMER RECEIVED ARECALL NOTICE FOR REPLACEMENT OF LOWER BALL JOINTS. DEALER REFUSED TO DO RECALL REPAIRS. SERVICE MANAGER MIKE SWEITZER. *AK

Incident date: Feb 17, 2004

REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS DONE PRIOR TO RECEIVING RECALL NOTICE. *PH THE VEHICLE'S BALL JOINTS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION (00V421001). THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IN NOW REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *NM

REQUEST FULL REIMBURSEMENT FOR BALL JOINT REPAIR PRIOR TO RECEIVING RECALL. *PH THE VEHICLE MADE NOISES WHILE IN MOTION DUE TO THE BALL JOINT(S). *SC

Incident date: Aug 15, 2003

CAR STALLS WHEN STOPPING, AND VIBRATES. FELLS LIKE CAR IS NOT GETTING GAS. RPM'S GO UP WHILE DRIVING. AFTER 3 ATTEMPS, TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS CLAIM THEY CANNOT COME UP WITH A CODE, SO NOT SURE WHAT TO DO. ANY SUGGESTIONS? WHAT OTHER COMPLAINTS HAVE YOU RECEIVED?

Incident date: Aug 15, 2003

Incident date: Feb 15, 2004

1997 MITSUBISHI GALANT ES W/ AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ("TRANSAXLE"): VEHICLE'S GEARSHIFT CAN BE ACCIDENTLY BUMPED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL BECAUSE THIS GEAR CHANGE DOES NOT REQUIRE THE BRAKES TO BE PRESSED NOR THE GEARSHIFT BUTTON TO BE PRESSED. I HAVE TWICE NOW BUMPED THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL FROM DRIVE BY ... Read more

Incident date: Mar 30, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH TRANSMISSION BLEW OUT. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Incident date: Oct 9, 2003

I WAS SLOWLY BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AT A LOCAL SHOPPING CENTER WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY DEPLOYED. THE FORCE WAS ENOUGH TO BREAK MY ARM. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, AS NO WARNING LIGHT OR MESSAGE APPEARED AT AN... Read more

1 injured

Incident date: Dec 8, 2003

WHILE DRIVING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. NO IMPACT REPORTED. *AK

Incident date: Jun 17, 2003

WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH CONSUMER SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD AND UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL WIRES MELTED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 15 MPH VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. VEHIC... Read more

Incident date: Jun 17, 2003

Incident date: Jul 5, 2003

VEHICLE'S AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. *MR AS THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER ENTERED THE GARAGE, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING, AND BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE INJURED. THERE WAS NO IMPACT WHEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT AFTERWARDS THE VEHICLE HIT THE WALL. *SCC *JB

Crash 2 injured

WHILE DRIVING, ALL LIGHTS DIM RANDOMLY FOR 1-3 SECONDS. ALSO, THE DOME LIGHT SWITCH FAILS TO TURN THE DOME LIGHT ON WHEN SET TO "ON" AND SOMETIMES DOES NOT TURN THE LIGHT ON WHEN SET TO "DOOR" WITH THE DOOR OPEN. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER POWER REARVIEW MIRRORS NO LONGER MOVE THESE DEFECTS HAVE OCCUR... Read more

Incident date: Nov 20, 2002

1997 MITSUBISHI GALANT. DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS--------------770787. *AK *NLM

Incident date: May 1, 2002

THE BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE BRAKES SEEM TO MAKE A POPPING NOISE WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURN. I HAVE TO APPLY BRAKES AT A FAR DISTANCE TO PREVENT FROM RUNNING INTO OTHER VEHICLES. THE PROBLEM HAS EXISTED FOR AWHILE AND NOTED TO SERVICE DEALERSHIP ON ... Read more

Incident date: May 1, 2002

Incident date: Mar 21, 2003

NOTICED "SQUEAKING" NOISE WHEN DRIVING AT MINIMAL SPEED-ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. AUTO MECHANIC SAID THE STEERING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, BRAKES HAVE BEEN CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH ROTOR DAMAGE. *NLM

Incident date: Mar 21, 2003

Incident date: Mar 5, 2003

THE VEHICLE BECAME HARD TO STEER.*JB

Incident date: Feb 13, 2003

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.*JB *TS

Crash

Incident date: Jan 4, 2003

CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT AT WORK, WHEN THE RADIO CAUGHT ON FIR DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.

Fire

CONSUMER NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THE DEALER SAID THE CRANK SHAFT BROKE CAUSING THE FAN BELT TO POP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

Incident date: Jun 10, 2002

THE ENGINE HAS AN UNEVEN IDLE AND HESISTATES AT 2200 RPM. FOUR LIFTERS WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT 23K MILES. THE ENGINE WAS REMANUFACTURED UNDER WARRANTY TO FIX AN OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM AT 28K MILES. THE CAR NOW HAS 75K MILES AND IS AGAIN BURNING OIL AT 1 QUART/1K MILES. THE CASTER ALIGNM... Read more

Incident date: Jun 10, 2002

Incident date: Nov 4, 2002

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN CAUSING LOST OF POWER STEERING. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ADD ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

Incident date: Jul 23, 2002

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT LEVER CAN BE MOVED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL JUST BY TOUCHING IT WHILE DRIVING. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Incident date: Jun 25, 2002

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Showing 50 of 110 complaints.

EPA Fuel Economy, 1997 MITSUBISHI GALANT

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	19.0	26.0	22.0	Regular	$2,800
2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	21.0	28.0	23.0	Regular	$2,650
2.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	18.0	24.0	20.0	Regular	$3,100

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Compact Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1997 MITSUBISHI GALANT

76 manufacturer communications from 51 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER	7
350000 EQUIPMENT	6
100000 POWER TRAIN	5
070000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE	4
200000 WHEELS	4
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	3
060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	3
357100 EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER	3

980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by improper sealing or a defective/broken part.

120000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING

350000 EQUIPMENT