1998 Mitsubishi Galant: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 53 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (24% 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 53 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 the same exact failure. The manufacturer extended the warranty for the part for a lifetime however, the contact believed the failure to be an extreme safety issue because the part would become loose very easily. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 150,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Sep 2009
“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”Owner report · Suspension · May 2008
“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 even a half of court, I had no warning light at all until the sixth night when it got stuck in gear and steering to change. *jb”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2005
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“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 the same year with similar paint peeling problems. *nm”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 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 the same year with similar paint peeling problems. *jb”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 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”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2004
“Ball joints were replaced prior to consumer receiving the recall notice. *ph the consumer request reimbursement for the repairs. *nm”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2004
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 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”Owner report · Structure · Aug 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”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - 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 1998 Mitsubishi Galant reliable?
NHTSA has 53 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Mitsubishi Galant. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (24% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Mitsubishi Galant problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 100,705 miles or less.
Does the 1998 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.