Mitsubishi

Galant (2003)

2003 · Midsize Sedan · 2 engines
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (3.0)
139 NHTSA Complaints
3 Recalls
4 Fire Reports
17 Crash Reports
View all 5 generations of the Mitsubishi Galant → 📋 Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

Mitsubishi Galant Unidentified Engine

⚠️ Caution (3.0)
56 complaints 56.0 per year
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Complaint Breakdown

other
26
body
10
brakes
6
engine
5
cooling
5

Known Issues

Body/Trim Issues (10 complaints)
Brakes Issues (6 complaints)
Engine Issues (5 complaints)

2.4-I4-Gas

2.4L 4-cyl
Avoid (1.3)
80 complaints 80.0 per year Gasoline
4 fire reports 1 fatality
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Complaint Breakdown

other
22
engine
14
electrical
14
body
13
cooling
12

Known Issues

Engine Issues (14 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (14 complaints)
Body/Trim Issues (13 complaints)
Show 3 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

3.8-V6-Gas

3.8L 6-cyl
Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
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3.0-V6-Gas

3.0L 6-cyl
Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
1

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (1 complaints)

Same engine used in

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6G74

3.5L 6-cyl
Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

brakes
1

Known Issues

Brakes Issues (1 complaints)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Mitsubishi Galant regardless of engine variant.

Body/Trim Issues (24 complaints)
body critical
Engine Issues (19 complaints)
engine critical
Electrical System Issues (14 complaints)
electrical critical
Cooling System Issues (12 complaints)
cooling critical
Safety Systems Issues (11 complaints)
safety_systems critical

Recalls (3)

09E025000Nov 4, 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.

04V428000Jan 8, 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.

03V442000Apr 10, 2003serious
Fuel System

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2003-2003 Mitsubishi Galant problems?

The 2003-2003 Mitsubishi Galant has accumulated 139 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Body/Trim, Engine, Electrical System. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Mitsubishi Galant engine is most reliable?

The 2003-2003 Mitsubishi Galant was offered with 5 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.4L 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2003-2003 Mitsubishi Galant a good used car?

The 2003-2003 Mitsubishi Galant can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 139 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003-2003 Mitsubishi Galant have?

The 2003-2003 Mitsubishi Galant has 139 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2003-2003 Mitsubishi Galant?

There are 3 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2003-2003 Mitsubishi Galant vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Mitsubishi Galant?

Before buying a used Mitsubishi Galant, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Body/Trim, Engine, Electrical System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the Galant have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2003 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. 139 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-23.

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