1999 Mitsubishi Galant: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 215 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (38% of complaints); the 1997 and 1998 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 215 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“While traveling down a dirt road going about 5 mph the lower control arm broke not any of the rubber boots the control arm itself rusted and broke.”Owner report · Wheels · May 2019
“Cars slips all the time when the ABS light is on. Today it was raining and it almost caused a crash. The car would not stop at a speed of 25 mph in traffic. Very scary. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 mitsubishi galant. The contact stated the turn signal and hazard lights failed. The dealer stated the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 99v333001, electrical system: battery: cables recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 105,000. The current mileage was 106,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2011
Show 7 more owner reports
“While driving the vehicle noticed smoke coming from under the hood. Opened the hood and notice a fire coming from the wiring harness out of the fuse box. Disconnectted the battery and towed it home. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 mitsubishi galant. The contact stated that the turn signal switch failed. As of december 21, 2007, the dealer had not inspected the vehicle. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number (exterior lighting: turn signal: switch). The current and failure mileages were 109,371.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Dec 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 mitsubishi galant. The contact stated that the vehicle exterior paint was oxidized with chipping on the hood, roof and trunk lid. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The contact expressed the concern of warranting a recall related to the exterior paint defect. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2007
“Alternator and wire harness caught on fire on my 1999 mitsubishi galant. Harness and alternator plug were totally burnt. Had to replace both at my cost. Also had to replace radiator while at the shop. Lost 1 day of work due to this. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2007
“The gas pedal sticks causing car to accelerate to fast. Seems to be when I first get in the car after it has set for a couple of hours. This sticking pedal is going to cause an accident and needs to have a recall based on the information I have seen on this web site. *jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2007
“Ever since purchase of 1999 mitsubishi galant in 2003 the heater does not work properly. Engine temp is normal but blows out cold air. Give it the gas and it blows out hot air. Take foot off of gas and goes cold. Replaced thermostats told that it is a defective heater core that goes bad in all of mitsubishi's. *nm”Owner report · Visibility · Nov 2006
“1999 galant clear coat on plastic bumpers, hood, roof, trunk and window arches is all peeling, blistering and cracking. This is mentioned by numerous persons with the same year car. I was told upon purchase of car (before paint had a problem) that 1999 was first year of using a "mercedes" manufactured paint. Mitsubishi claims consumers are at fault for various chemical cleaning products and sun/parking conditions. *jb”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2006
When filing, owners marked a crash in 30 of these complaints and injuries in 17 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy: MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE COLUMN SWITCH LEVERS CAN BECOME LOOSE OR BREAK OVER TIME.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED SWITCH.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES AND FEDERAL EMISSION EQUIPMENT. THE BATTERY CABLE HARNESS CAN BECOME HEAT DAMAGED BY THE FRONT EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH COULD CAUSE GROUNDED CIRCUITS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND DISCARD A METAL MANIFOLD BRACKET (FROM GALANT MODELS ONLY - ECLIPSE HAS NO SUCH BRACKET). DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE HARNESS. IF THE HARNESS WIRES SHOW NO DAMAGE, THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A HEAT INSULATOR ALONG WITH HEAT RESISTANT HARNESS CLIPS. IF THE HARNESS WIRES DO SHOW DAMAGE, THE DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HARNESS WITH PREINSTALLED INTEGRAL HEAT PROTECTION.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. A HOSE WAS MIS-MANUFACTURED AND COULD WEAKEN OVER TIME, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOSE ASSEMBLY FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER. OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING WILL BE PHASED OVER A FIVE-MONTH PERIOD STARTING MARCH 26, THROUGH JULY 23, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A NUT IN THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED, RESULTING IN SYMPTOMS RANGING FROM STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION TO STIFF STEERING, AND IN THE WORST CASE, NO ABILITY TO TURN LEFT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY IF A LOOSE NUT CONNECTION IS FOUND.
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 1999 Mitsubishi Galant reliable?
NHTSA has 215 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Mitsubishi Galant. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (38% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Mitsubishi Galant problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 80,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Mitsubishi Galant have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment:other:labels. 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.