Mitsubishi

Galant (8th)

2004-2012 · Midsize Sedan ยท 3 engines
Best Engine โœ… Recommended (3.7)
178 NHTSA Complaints
4 Recalls
2 Fire Reports
23 Crash Reports
๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (10.7% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (10.7% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No

Engine Reliability Ratings

2.4-I4-Gas

2.4L 4-cyl
โœ… Recommended (3.7)
87 complaints 14.5 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
20
body
16
other
10
brakes
10
engine
8

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (20 complaints)
Body/Trim Issues (16 complaints)
Brakes Issues (10 complaints)

3.8-V6-Gas

3.8L 6-cyl
โš ๏ธ Caution (2.7)
29 complaints 5.8 per year Gasoline
1 fatality
View details

Complaint Breakdown

other
7
brakes
7
body
6
electrical
4
safety systems
3

Known Issues

Brakes Issues (7 complaints)
Body/Trim Issues (6 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (4 complaints)

Mitsubishi Galant Unidentified Engine

โš ๏ธ Caution (2.6)
62 complaints 6.9 per year
2 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
15
body
14
electrical
9
engine
9
wheels tires
6

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (15 complaints)
Body/Trim Issues (14 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (9 complaints)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Mitsubishi Galant regardless of engine variant.

Body/Trim Issues (36 complaints)
body critical
Safety Systems Issues (35 complaints)
safety_systems critical
Brakes Issues (17 complaints)
brakes critical
Electrical System Issues (13 complaints)
electrical critical

Recalls (4)

10V066000Feb 24, 2010serious
Engine & Cooling

MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 GALANT VEHICLES. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER PIPE ASSEMBLY ON SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE INSUFFICIENT PLATING TO PREVENT CORROSION, IF THE PIPE SHOULD DEVELOP A HOLE DUE TO CORROSION, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR.

08V276000Jun 19, 2008serious
Electrical System

MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING 73,000 MY 2004-2006 GALLANT PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING VEHICLE USE, THE IGNITION KEY INTERLOCK CABLE (WHICH IS A COMPONENT OF THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM) MAY ALLOW THE INTERLOCKING CAM TO FALL FORWARD AND ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN THE GEARSHIFT MECHANISM IS NOT IN THE PARK POSITION.

08V454000Sep 8, 2008serious
Fuel System

MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING 45,988 MY 2005-2007 ENDEAVOR, GALANT, ECLIPSE COUPE, AND MY 2007 ECLIPSE SPYDER VEHICLES. THE BRACKET THAT IS THE ATTACHMENT POINT FOR THE LEFT REAR FUEL TANK MOUNTING STRAP MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY FORMED DURING A METAL STAMPING PROCESS. THE PROCESS MAY HAVE CAUSED THE METAL TO HAVE A SPLIT IN THE AREA WHERE THE BOLT THAT HOLDS ONE OF THE TWO FUEL TANK STRAPS TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS LOCATED. IN THE EVENT THE FUEL TANK IS FULL AND THE VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO A SEVERE COLLISION, THE BRACKET MAY BREAK AND ALLOW THE FUEL TANK TO DROP DOWN, POSSIBLY CAUSING A FUEL LEAK.

05V409000Sep 14, 2005serious
Service Brakes

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, WHICH CONTROLS THE FLUID PRESSURE TO THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES, MAY ALLOW BRAKE FLUID TO BYPASS INTERNALLY DURING STOPPING.

Alternatives in Midsize Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2004-2012 Mitsubishi Galant problems?

The 2004-2012 Mitsubishi Galant has accumulated 178 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Body/Trim, Safety Systems, Brakes. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Mitsubishi Galant engine is most reliable?

The 2004-2012 Mitsubishi Galant was offered with 3 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 2004-2012 Mitsubishi Galant a good used car?

The 2004-2012 Mitsubishi Galant can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 178 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 2004-2012 Mitsubishi Galant have?

The 2004-2012 Mitsubishi Galant has 178 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 2004-2012 Mitsubishi Galant?

There are 4 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2004-2012 Mitsubishi Galant vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” 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, Safety Systems, Brakes, 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.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Galant?

The 2012 Mitsubishi Galant received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 4 stars (10.7% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 178 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-20.

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