2003 Mitsubishi Galant: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 126 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is visibility (35% of complaints); the 2004 and 2005 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 126 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Check engine light suddenly came on and the vehicle lost all engine power and driving capabilities while driving at a low speed, turning a corner. There had been no other issues or indication of a failure of any kind. The car was pulled over on the roadside out of traffic and was able to be restarted with no problem. It was taken to a nearby auto parts store where they performed a free diagnostic check. The result that came back was generally regarding a vacuum issue in fuel system or lines. The gas cap lid and door were checked for proper closure and it was established they had been closed and sealed properly at the time the engine power failure occurred.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2022
“Frequent clogging of a/c drain and drainage into driver side foot hold. The service department is unable to clean drain tube at this point. The car is not parked under or near trees.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2015
“The horn which is part of the airbag stayed on when I used my keyless entry remote to lock the car. I had to hit the horn button in the steering wheel to make it stop. The horn once again became stuck the next day when I honked my horn on the freeway to prevent a car from colliding with me as they tried to switch lanes. I could not get the horn to shut off this time and had to pull over to pull out the fuse. I plugged in the fuse when I arrived home and the horn came right back on. I then used a rubber mallet to tap around the horn button and steering wheel which finally stopped the horn. This is a huge safety concern as my horn will now not sound at all. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi galant. The contact stated that while traveling at approximately 40 mph, the defroster failed to activate. The contact attempted to use the temperature controls and suddenly there was an abnormal noise. The failure occurred when the defroster, a/c, or heater was activated. As a result, the contact's visibility was impaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2014
“Air bags didn't come out when accident occurred, there is smoke coming from exhaust not something is eating the gas up there is leakage coming from engine, oil, and radiator (unknown areas). *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi galant. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the heat control module was activated but cold air began to circulate out of the vents. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was awaiting a diagnosis of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.”Owner report · Visibility · Jan 2014
“I started my car in the afternoon, then I turned on my radio 3 minutes later. Then, I smelled like something burnt, that's when I saw smoke came out of the front right passenger seat door. I stopped in a random tire shop to see what was going on. A few minutes later, I saw fire coming out of the loudspeaker on the front right door. A guy from the tire shop helped me to extinguish the fire. After I made sure that it was safe enough for me to drive, I drove my car to my regular auto shop to get it checked. The inside of the door was melted (halfway melted, because the fire was handled early) and blew the fuse. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi galant. The contact stated that there was a clicking noise coming from the vents after switching the temperature gauge from cold to hot. The contact also mentioned that the hot air failed to engage. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for a diagnostic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000 and the current mileage was 135,000. *tr”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Nov 2012
“The driver and passenger left /right front side tires are disfunctional when I turn the steering wheel the left and right side I here the bearings popping and the tires also dis functional and the this car is burning a lot of oil the dealer ship where I'm buying it from said everything was working fine the car was well taking care of the belt on the car is cracked it hasn't had a tune up at all the air conditioner isn't blowing out cold air. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2012
“I purchased my 2003, mitsubshi, galant 1 1/2 years ago and I'm having problems with the paint fading on the doors and the hood of the car. After 1 year of having the car it started to fade. My car is a black mitsubshi and with this being a black car the fading really stands out. *kb”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 2011
When filing, owners marked a crash in 15 of these complaints and injuries in 13 - 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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE RESTRICTED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN A LEAK IN THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP PRESSURE. THOSE VEHICLES EXHIBITING HIGHER THAN NORMAL FUEL PUMP PRESSURE WILL RECEIVE FUEL PUMP MODIFICATIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN DECEMBER 3, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037 OR MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-800-981-0452.
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.
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 2003 Mitsubishi Galant reliable?
NHTSA has 126 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Mitsubishi Galant. The most complained-about area is visibility (35% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Mitsubishi Galant problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 63,750 miles or less.
Does the 2003 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.