2002 Mitsubishi Galant Reliability Score: 9.5 out of 10

134 NHTSA Complaints

3 Recalls

10 Fire Reports

21 Crash Reports

Reliability Score

9.5 / 10

Reliability score

Very few owner complaints against similar midsize sedans

A score of 7.0 means as many complaints as similar vehicles. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 18 powertrain complaints. A typical midsize sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 100.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.1 points in the typical case.

Breakdown

Complaints overall18 complaints against about 100 for similar vehicles

9.5

Last three years

n/aNot enough data

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced3 complaints against about 21 for similar vehicles

9.6

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating1 complaints against about 7 for similar vehicles

9.6

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is 7.0, as many complaints as similar vehicles. A line shows a number once similar vehicles would draw at least 5 of its complaints (20 for the last three years).

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

Every complaint of any kind (brakes, airbags, electrical and the rest) whose VIN names the engine, across all model years. The score above counts only engine, transmission and drivetrain complaints, so its figures for the same engine are smaller. Fire, injury and death figures count complaints that report one.

Mitsubishi Galant Unidentified Engine

133 complaints 133.0 per year

10 fire reports 1 complaint reporting a death

View details

Complaint Breakdown

brakes

electrical

other

body

safety systems

Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data

These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

2.4-I4-Gas

2.4L 4-cyl

1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Mitsubishi Galant, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Brakes: 28 owner complaints

Electrical System: 26 owner complaints

Body/Trim: 19 owner complaints

Safety Systems: 17 owner complaints

Engine: 13 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2002 Mitsubishi Galant

On a used 2002 Mitsubishi Galant, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the brakes (28), the electrical system (26) and the body and structure (19). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-09. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 28 owner complaints on the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant about the brakes.
Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 26 owner complaints on the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant about the electrical system.
Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 19 owner complaints on the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant about the body and structure.
Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 17 owner complaints on the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 13 owner complaints on the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant about the engine.

Open the full inspection checklist for the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant

Recalls (3)

09E025000May 11, 2009serious

Exterior Lighting

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.

04V428000Sep 1, 2004cosmetic

Equipment

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.

02V147000May 29, 2002cosmetic

Electrical System

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.

All Generations

20002000 20012001 20022002 20032003 8th2004-2012

Alternatives in Midsize Sedan

Lexus

2013-2018

9.8/10

3 engines / 209 complaints

4 engines / 35 complaints

Lexus

2019-2025

9.6/10

4 engines / 135 complaints

Lexus

2012-2020

9.6/10

5 engines / 99 complaints

6 engines / 2,047 complaints

Lexus

2007-2012

9.4/10

3 engines / 1,638 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2002-2002 Mitsubishi Galant complaints?

Owners have filed 134 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002-2002 Mitsubishi Galant. The systems they name most often are the brakes, the electrical system and the body and trim.

Is the 2002-2002 Mitsubishi Galant a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 134 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002-2002 Mitsubishi Galant. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002-2002 Mitsubishi Galant have?

NHTSA has 134 owner complaints on file for the 2002-2002 Mitsubishi Galant as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2002-2002 Mitsubishi Galant?

NHTSA lists 3 recalls covering some 2002-2002 Mitsubishi Galant vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Mitsubishi Galant?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the brakes, the electrical system and the body and trim, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the Galant have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 134 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-18.