2002 Mitsubishi Galant: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 135 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (18% of complaints); the 2004 model year looks 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 135 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi galant. The contact stated that the cruise control light illuminated on the instrument panel without it being manually activated. The vehicle was not diagnosed and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 186,000. Updated 6/11/15*cn updated 06/16/15*jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2015
“Tl* the contact owned a 2002 mitsubishi galant. While driving approximately 25 mph, another vehicle crashed into the front driver side of the contact's vehicle at approximately 55 mph. The contact's vehicle went airborne and landed on all four wheels. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact suffered a neck injury that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi galant. The contact stated that the left turn signal failed to work intermittently. The vehicle was not inspected or diagnosed. The contact was not included in recall NHTSA campaign number: 02v147000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Aug 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“I've had this 2002 mitsubishi galant for a number of years and have always had a problem with the lights. They don't shine bright enough to clearly see the road ahead. It is a constant problem. I thought it was just a problem with my car, but it seems like other people have had the same problem.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2014
“Tl-the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi galant. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 mph there was a loss of steering control and the vehicle crashed into a guard rail. The air bags failed to deploy with the impact. The driver sustained injury to the shoulder and suffered from moderate headaches. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent auto shop. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The failure mileage was unavailable. Js”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi galant. The contact stated that while exiting the vehicle she noticed a burning smell. After returning to the vehicle an hour later there was smoke being emitted from the passenger side front door. The fire was extinguished and the wires were cut to prevent further thermal events. The vehicle was able to be driven to the contact's residence and was not taken to a mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the issue. The failure and current mileages were 129,250. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi galant. The contact stated that the front passenger door caught on fire as the contact started the vehicle and opened the front passenger window. The fire department was notified of the failure. The contact separated the passenger door panel and poured water in the panel to stop the fire. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 136,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2012
“Instrument panel lights don't come on. Fuses all ok, switches ok, reostat ok. Could be bulbs behind instrument panel - or circuit board. Can't drive at night -can't see the instrument panel. Interior lights ok. Blinker lights ok but won't turn off after making turn. Can't get information from mitsubishi on what it may be. *js”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2012
“I am having problems with my car not wanting to start. This has been going on for quite some time. I took it to the dealer and they replaced the cam shaft censor after a month or two the starting problem started again. I then had the coils, wires and battery cable replace and still have the problem. I want to know if there has been recalls for these problems no I have not been told. I only have 68000 miles on this car and should not be having this problem. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi galant. The contact stated that the passenger side power window failed intermittently. In addition, the horn would engage sporadically and would not stop. The manufacturer and dealer were notified of the failure, but denied any assistance with repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage 110,218.”Owner report · Visibility · Sep 2011
When filing, owners marked a crash in 21 of these complaints and injuries in 19 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 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.
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, ROUTING OF THE VEHICLE'S FRONT HARNESS CAN ALLOW IT TO COME IN CONTACT WITH A ROUGH EDGE, ALLOWING ABRASION. THIS COULD RESULT IN GROUNDED CIRCUITS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTOR, ELIMINATING ANY HARNESS CONTACT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 8, 2002. 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.
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 2002 Mitsubishi Galant reliable?
NHTSA has 135 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (18% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Mitsubishi Galant problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 64,948 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant have open recalls?
3 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.