1998 MITSUBISHI GALANT

2 recalls, 69 complaints - 59 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

69 total complaints 3 crashes 3 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	11
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS	5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC	4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR	4
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT	4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION	2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR	2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	2
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR	2

Incident date: Jan 9, 2013

ON JAN. 9, 2013, WHILE I WAS BACKING UP MY MITSUBISHI GALANT 1998 (VIN # [XXX]) IN MY DRIVEWAY, I NOTICED THAT THE CAR STARTED MOVING ON ITS OWN AND I HAD TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. AFTER BACKING UP, WHEN I DROVE FORWARD, MY CAR SEEMED TO BE QUITE JUMPY AND WANTED TO LURCH FORWARDS. AT A TRAFFIC ... Read more

Incident date: Sep 8, 2009

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NUT THAT HELD THE LOWER BALL JOINT BECAME LOOSE AND DETACHED, CAUSING THE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED THREE TIMES PRIOR FOR... Read more

Incident date: May 25, 2008

LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT BROKE CAUSED MY CAR TO CRASH INTO A PARKED VEHICLE AS I WAS DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. *TR

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Aug 24, 2006

LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS FOUND TO HAVE A PROBLEM UPON INSPECTION BY A MECHANIC. *JB

Incident date: Jun 1, 2004

THE BLACK PAINT ON MY 1998 MITSUBISHI GALANT ES HAS WORN OFF IN AN A TYPICAL PATTERN. THE PAINT HAS COME OFF IN A GRID-LIKE FASHION - AS THOUGH A GIANT ACIDIC TIRE HAS ROLLED OVER IT. IT IS EFFECTING THE ROOF, HOOD AND TRUNK AREA OF THE CAR. I HAVE NOTICED OTHER MITSUBISHI GALANTS (AND ECLIPSES) OF ... Read more

Incident date: Dec 13, 2005

WHEN YOU START THE CAR IT MAKES A LOAD NOISE UNTIL FULLY HEATED, AND THE TRANSMISSION IS PULLING AND MAKING NOISE, IT GETS STUCK IN GEAR AND WILL NOT MOVE TO NEXT GEAR, JUST STALLS AND THEN KICKS IN. FIRST IT WAS JUST SKIPPING GEARS FOR THE LAST FIVE DAYS SO I CHECKED THE FLUID IT ONLY COULD USE NOT... Read more

Incident date: Jun 1, 2004

THE BLACK PAINT ON MY 1998 MISTUBISHI GALANT ES HAS WORN OFF IN AN A TYPICAL PATTERN. THE PAINT HAS COME OFF IN A GRID-LIKE FASHION - AS THOUGH A GIANT ACIDIC TIRE HAS ROLLED OVER IT. IT IS EFFECTING THE ROOF, HOOD AND TRUNK AREA OF THE CAR. I HAVE NOTICED OTHER MISTUBISHI GALANTS (AND ECLIPSES) OF ... Read more

Incident date: Feb 17, 2004

BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED PRIOR TO CONSUMER RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE. *PH THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIRS. *NM

Incident date: Apr 9, 2003

NAR 05/21/2003 *MR THE CONSUMER SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT RETRACT PROPERLY. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *CB

Incident date: Apr 16, 2004

IN NOVEMBER 2003, WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20 TO 25 MPH, FRONT PASSENGER TIRE FELL OFF, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT BALL JOINTS FAILED. IN APRIL 2004 CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER NOTICE CONCERNING BALL JOINT PROBLEM.*AK

Incident date: Apr 16, 2004

Incident date: Sep 10, 2001

THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER HAD DIFFICULTY WITH THE STEERING WHICH ENDED UP ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD CRASHING INTO AN EMBANKMENT. 3 YEARS AFTER ACCIDENT, CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON LOWER BALL JOINTS THAT COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF STEERING. *LA THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WAS INJURED AND F... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Oct 5, 2003

CAR STARTED STALLING AT LOW SPEEDS, HAD TRANSMISSION FILTER CHANGED, FOUND A LOT OF METAL IN FLUID. DROVE CAR 500 MORE MILES BEFORE LOSING REVERSE AND OVERDRIVE. TRANSMISSION UNABLE TO RUN AT 71,000 MILES. *LA

Incident date: Aug 17, 2003

THE BEDDING ON THE DASH IS COMING OFF, INCLUDING THE BEDDING ON THE AIR BAG. I HAVE CALLED MITSUBISHI, THEY SAY A SERVICE PERSON WILL CALL ME BACK IN 72 HOURS AND THEY NEVER DO. MITSUBISHI MOTORS 1998 GALLANT.*AK

Incident date: Aug 17, 2003

Incident date: Jul 1, 2003

MITSUBISHI GALANT 1998 - PADDED COVER OVER CONSOLE AND AIR BAG IS COMMING LOOSE, PROBABLY DUE TO POOR GLUE.IT MAY NOT BE SAFE, BUT I CANNOT GET MITSUBISHI TO FIX IT OR EVEN TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM. I DON'T THINK THEY WANT TO HEAR CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS.*AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE STRUT MOUNTS POPPED OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT WELDED PROPERLY BECAUSE THE FRAME SHOULD NOT BE TEARING EASILY.*AK

Incident date: Mar 28, 2001

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. WITH UNDER 20000 MILES ON THE CAR TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY MADE AN ADJUSTMENT AND IT WAS FINE. THEN, AT 76000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP IN TRAFFIC. *JB

Incident date: Aug 15, 2002

IN JUNE OF 2002, AUTO TRANSMISSION SOLENOID PACK FAILED AT 74,000 MILES. WAS REPLACED BY AUTHORIZED REPAIR SHOP (NOT UNDER WARRANTY). SHOP FLUSHED TRANSMISSION AND FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN THE FLUID. LESS THAN ONE MONTH LATER (AUGUST 15, 2002) TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY AT 78,000 MILES. TRANS... Read more

Incident date: Apr 24, 1999

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE FIRST DAY OF PURCHASE I NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. I ASKED THE SALESMAN WHAT THAT WAS HE TOLD ME THAT'S JUST THE WAY THE CAR RUNS. A FEW MONTHS LATER I WAS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I CALLED THE DEALER AND MADE A BIG STINK ABOUT IT AND THEY ... Read more

Incident date: Jan 25, 2001

I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THIS PART WAS NOT COVERED BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. I FOUND OUT TODAY THAT THIS WAS COVERED AT THE TIME THE DEALER TOLD ME IT COULDN'T BE REPAIRED UNDER THE WARRANTY.*AK

WHILE HAVING VEHICLE SERVICED MECHANIC NOTICED THEAT ENGINE WAS MALFUNCTIONING DUE TO DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS IN ENGINE. THIS CAUSED TRANSMISSION TO FAIL.*AK

WHILE HAVING VEHICLE SERVICED AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE, AND HAVING IT FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS MECHANIC NOTICED THAT OIL FILTER/BRACKETS WERE DAMAGED AND RIGGED FOR SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES. UNTIL VEHICLE WAS SOLD CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEM. DEALER STATED MALFUNCTION WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD, AND SUDDENLY VEHICLE STARTED TO STALL. MECHANIC STATED RADIATOR CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

WHEN WINDSHIELD WAS HIT BYE A LITTLE TAR PELLET FROM A SHORT DISTANCE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD STARTED CRACKING BADLY.*AK

Incident date: Apr 30, 2002

RECALL ON LOWER BALL JOINT BOOT WAS DONE IN JANUARY 2002. ON 30 APRIL CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STEER AT SLOW SPEED. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP.*JB

Incident date: Sep 27, 2001

THE VEHICLE ENGINE STARTED QUITING SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY LEAVING DRIVER WITHOUT POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. IT IS A VERY HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN BUSY METROPOLIS (HOUSTON, TX) WHERE CAR IS DRIVEN. ALSO THE CAR CAN LEAVE PASSENGERS STRANDED IN REMOTE OR DANGEROUS LOCATIONS WITHOUT WARNING.*AK

Incident date: Jun 30, 2000

AT 41,500 MILES I HAD A BASIC FRONT BRAKE JOB PERFORMED ON MY CAR DUE TO THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING SEVERELY WHILE BRAKING. APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS LATER I HAD THE ROTORS RESURFACED DUE TO THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING SEVERELY WHILE BRAKING. APPROXIMATELY 7 MONTHS AFTER THAT I HAD THE ROTORS RESURFAC... Read more

Incident date: Jul 24, 2000

BATTERY FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. *ET

Incident date: Jun 2, 2001

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH VEHICLE LOST STEERING CONTROL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND INFORMED THAT PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A BROKEN CRANKSHAFT PULLEY. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ,AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY AND NOT COVER UNDER A RECALL. FEEL FREE TO P... Read more

Incident date: Dec 1, 1999

THE FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM WAS REPLACED, AFTER REPLACEMENT FRONT BRAKES REQUIRED REPLACEMENT A SECOND TIME WHICH WAS CAUSING GRINDING NOISES, 2 REPAIRS WITHIN 17000 MILES SEEMS EXCESSIVE. *MJS

Incident date: Apr 26, 2001

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CALL ON AND STARTED TO STALL AT 60MPH. NO ADVANCE WARNING WAS GIVEN THAT THERE WAS PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. 30 DAY PRIOR CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR TUNE UP AND OIL CHANGE. CONTACTED DEALER STATED CAR WARRANTY IS NOT IN EFFECT BECAUSE OF MILEAGE, HOWEVER I STATED CAR IS ONLY 3 ... Read more

Incident date: Jun 1, 1998

THERE IS A VIBRATION THAT HAPPENS AT HIGHER SPEEDS, APPROXIMATELY 55 + MPH. DEALERSHIP HAS REPEATEDLY INFORMED HER THAT TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION IN MAIL FOR LOWER CONTROL ARM/ BALL JOINT. CONSUMER HAD RECALL TAKEN CARE OF BY DEAL... Read more

Incident date: Jun 1, 1998

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, THE STEERING SHAKES. BRAKE SHOES AND ROTORS ARE WORN OUT AT 19,000 MILES (VERY PREMATURE); BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON CONSTANTLY IN VEHICLE - REPLACE W/ BRAKE FLUID, WHEELS SCREECH WHEN MAKING A SLOW TURN - MITSUBISHI WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ARE GIVING A HARD TIME ABOUT REPLACING THE... Read more

BRAKES PADS AND ROTORS ARE PREMATURLY WEARING OUT, CASUING CONSUMER TO RPLACE THE BRAKE SYSTEM 4 TIMES. *AK

BRAKES REPLACED X 2 AND PADS X1 AND BRAKES ALSO MACHINED ONCE W. LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON THE CAR.*AK

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. NLM

LEFT & RIGHT FRONT AXLE SHAFTS FAILED. *ET

I STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR EARLIER IN THE YEAR AND HAD BROUGHT THE CAR TO TWO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS TO SEE IF IT WAS THE BRAKES BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT I THOUGHT IT WAS AT FIRST. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE PROPERLY AFTER I HAD STOPPED AT A SIGNAL LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN, IT HAD FELT AS IF THE BRAKE... Read more

WHILE DRIVING NOTICED TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP & INFORMED BY MECHANIC TRANSMISSION WAS GOING BAD. HAD THE FLUID & SCREEN CHANGED FOR THE 3RD TIME. WOULD BE MAKING NOISES & GETTING SLUGGISH. ALSO HAVING METAL SHAVINGS IN OIL PAN. *AK

Incident date: Apr 19, 1999

WHEN USING ELECTRICAL WINDSHIELD WIPERS HEADLIGHTS WILL DIM. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS UNSAFE BECAUSE MECHANIC TOLD HIM IT COULD CAUSE AND ELECTRICAL FIRE, OR LIGHTS COULD KEEP FLICKERING. *AK

Incident date: Sep 11, 1998

TRANSMISSION MAKE NOISE UNDER LOAD. YH

Incident date: Sep 11, 1998

CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH INOPERABLE. YH

Incident date: Nov 19, 1999

WAS DRIVING 40MPH WHEN SMALL TRUCK IN FRONT STOPPED. NO REAR LIGHTS WERE SHOWING WHILE DRIVING. APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN. AFTER NOTICING THE RED TAIL LIGHTS, REARENDED SMALL TRUCK. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER WAS INJURED. VEHICLE IS REPAIRABLE ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP. *AK

Crash 1 injured

FRONT BRAKE PADS WORE DOWN PREMATURELY CAUSING THEM TO FADE UPON BRAKING. NLM

Showing 50 of 69 complaints.

EPA Fuel Economy, 1998 MITSUBISHI GALANT

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
2.3L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	19.0	26.0	22.0	Regular	$2,800
2.3L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	20.0	27.0	23.0	Regular	$2,650

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, 1998 MITSUBISHI GALANT

59 manufacturer communications from 34 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
350000 EQUIPMENT	6
100000 POWER TRAIN	5
070000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE	4
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	3
060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	3
200000 WHEELS	3
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	3
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	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