1997 Mitsubishi Galant: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 80 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (20% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 80 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2012
“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 manufactured to mitsubishi's usually high standards, they would have been fine. *tr”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Dec 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”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Apr 2009
Show 7 more owner reports
“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. Can you tell me how to go about getting this fixed. I have two children who ride with me daily and would hate for an accident to happen and my kids have to witness their mom go through the windshield due to unsafe seatbelt. *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Nov 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 significant defect. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2008
“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 included in NHTSA campaign id number 00v421001 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). The purchase date and VIN were unknown. The current mileage was 85,000 and failure mileage was 78,000. Updated 03-25-08 *bf the failure was not obvious to spin investigation until 84,000 failure happened in a parking lot at low speed. Updated 03/25/08 *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2007
“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 the shock tower. Approximately two years later, the front driver's side shock tower and wheel well wall rusted through with more extensive damage. The current mileage was 107,000 and failure mileage was 97,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Sep 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 shift button to be pressed. I feel that this is unsafe. I would like to press the button and shift gears by myself. My teenager normally sits in the passenger seat, I am really worried. *nm”Owner report · Equipment · Aug 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”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2006
“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 higher speed it would been extremely dangerous. This was very sudden ,and there were no problems before. Also, there were no warning signs. The owner is replacing the harmonic balancer. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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 TO PREVENT INTRUSION OF MOISTURE.
How other years compare
Check your exact Galant by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant reliable?
NHTSA has 80 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant. The most complained-about area is suspension (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Mitsubishi Galant problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 87,944 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.