Photo: Cutlass / CC0 / Wikimedia Commons
Every generation
Power
Combined, EPA 2012
What owners say
Our take, from owner reports
Sentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on the specific generation and powertrain.
8 problems reported (4 recurrent, 4 isolated) · medium confidence
Problems owners report
- RecurrentPersistent overheating
Recurrent clogging of thermostats due to internal engine corrosion, coolant leaks from undetermined sources, failed components (thermostat, radiator).
- RecurrentAutomatic transmission failures
Delayed shifting, harsh engagement, loss of all gears, violent shaking, torque converter clutch (TCL) errors.
- RecurrentVR-4 model unreliability
Chronic mechanical issues including multiple clutch failures, idle problems, engine rebuilds, cracked exhaust manifolds, fuel pump failures, leading to an untrustworthy vehicle.
+ 5 more issuesShow fewer
- RecurrentInterior quality
Budget-grade materials, cracked dashboards, generally low-rent feel compared to competitors.
- IsolatedCooling system failures
Major coolant leaks leading to rapid loss, often from areas under the engine.
- IsolatedElectrical & sensor issues
Idle air control system faults (P0507), faulty O2 sensors, check engine lights, climate control malfunctions.
- IsolatedEngine mounting
Worn or destroyed motor mounts causing excessive engine movement and clunking.
- IsolatedFuel delivery problems
Intermittent power loss, RPM drops, suspected fuel pump or relay issues.
The version owners recommend
Manual transmission, naturally aspirated models. For the 8th generation (circa 2003-2006), the 2.4L 4-cylinder (4G64) with a manual gearbox is cited as the most reliable and practical choice. For the 7th generation, owners seeking the V6 recommend the manual transmission over the automatic due to perceived reliability concerns with the automatic gearbox. The VR-4 performance models are not recommended for daily reliability.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Mazda Protege, Nissan Altima and Honda Accord.
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Overall sentiment
Sentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on the specific generation and powertrain. The Galant is widely recognized as a budget-friendly, functional, and generally reliable sedan, particularly in its naturally aspirated four-cylinder and V6 configurations. Long-term owner reports praise the vehicles for their durability, with examples cited reaching 548,000 km (340,000 miles) and 200,000+ miles with proper maintenance. The 4G-series four-cylinder engines (e.g., 4G64 2.4L) are frequently highlighted as "bulletproof" when timing belt service is performed on schedule. However, significant and recurrent criticisms are directed at specific models: the high-performance VR-4 variants (both early twin-turbo and later generations) are noted for chronic mechanical unreliability and excessive time spent in repair shops. Common issues across many model years include persistent overheating problems, automatic transmission failures (delayed shifting, loss of gears), and various electrical gremlins. The interior is consistently described as having a budget look with cheap materials, and road/noise insulation is considered subpar. The consensus positions the non-turbo, manual transmission Galants as dependable, high-mileage beaters, while the turbocharged and automatic models are viewed as potential money pits.
Positioning vs competitors
Positioned as a more affordable, less refined alternative to mainstream Japanese sedans like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Owner feedback suggests it offers comparable mechanical reliability (in base models) to a Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla but at a lower purchase price, with the trade-off being inferior interior quality, higher noise levels, and less brand cachet. It is explicitly noted as a superior value to domestic and some European alternatives for buyers prioritizing function over form. The performance-oriented VR-4 models are compared within the niche of Japanese turbocharged sedans but are characterized as far less reliable than their contemporaries.
Recommended configurations
Manual transmission is strongly preferred for reliability and ease of maintenance. The 4-cylinder engines (4G64, 4G63 non-turbo) are recommended over the V6 for longevity and simpler repair. Immediate replacement of the timing belt and water pump upon purchase is considered critical on interference engines. A thorough inspection for coolant system corrosion and leaks is advised for all models. Avoid vehicles with rebuilt titles or a history of overheating.
General recommendations
Suitable for budget-conscious buyers seeking inexpensive, high-mileage transportation with straightforward mechanicals. Ideal for owners who prioritize mechanical reliability over interior refinement and are willing to perform preventative maintenance. NOT recommended for buyers seeking a refined, quiet, or luxurious driving experience. NOT recommended for the performance-oriented VR-4 models unless prepared for frequent and costly repairs. Essential to verify timing belt service history. A pre-purchase inspection focusing on the cooling system, transmission operation, and underbody rust is crucial. Purchase price should be low enough to account for immediate baseline maintenance.
Remarks
Analysis spans numerous generations, from the 1978 Lambda to the final 9th generation (2012). The most substantive reliability data pertains to the 8th generation (2003-2006) with the 4G64 engine and the 7th/8th generation VR-4 models. The notorious overheating issue appears linked to internal corrosion within the engine's coolant passages, a design or material flaw that is difficult to remedy permanently. The strong preference for manual transmissions is based on owner experiences with problematic automatic units. The VR-4's poor reliability reputation is distinct from the generally positive views of the standard models. Parts availability for older generations is noted as a growing concern. Analysis based on approximately 40 substantive owner discussions and repair inquiries.
Generation by generation
Owner insights per generation and US complaint/recall records (NHTSA).
Complaints and recalls by model yearWorst year: 2001. Years to avoid: 2002, 2001, 2000Source: NHTSA (US)Show table
Each year graded against the model's other years: Year Score. See all Mitsubishi Galant years to avoid
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 6 | 0 | engine |
| 2007 | 24 | 1 | air bags |
| 2006 | 24 | 1 | electrical system |
| 2005 | 26 | 3 | structure |
| 2004 | 61 | 1 | structure |
| 2003 | 139 | 3 | visibility |
| 2002 | 142 | 3 | service brakes |
| 2001 | 167 | 8 | service brakes |
| 2000 | 149 | 7 | engine and engine cooling |
| 1999 | 237 | 6 | service brakes |
| 1998 | 62 | 2 | service brakes |
| 1997 | 89 | 2 | suspension |
| 1996 | 170 | 4 | power train |
Complaint counts come from owner reports filed with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices41 on record · Source: NHTSA (US)Show recalls
2007 · fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assemblycampaign 08V454000
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.
2006 · fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assemblycampaign 08V454000
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.
2005 · fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assemblycampaign 08V454000
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.
2005 · electrical system:ignitioncampaign 08V276000
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.
2005 · service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylindercampaign 05V409000
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.
2004 · electrical system:ignitioncampaign 08V276000
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.
2003 · fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpcampaign 03V442000
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.
2003 · equipment:other:labelscampaign 04V428000
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.
2003 · exterior lighting:headlightscampaign 09E025000
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.
2002 · electrical system:wiring:front underhoodcampaign 02V147000
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.
2002 · equipment:other:labelscampaign 04V428000
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.
2002 · exterior lighting:headlightscampaign 09E025000
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.
2001 · seatscampaign 01V005001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A NUMBER OF INCORRECT DRIVER SIDE SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS WERE INSTALLED INTO VEHICLES.
2001 · fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingscampaign 00V320001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE OUTER LAYER ONLY OF THIS 3-LAYER FUEL RETURN HOSE DOES NOT CONTAIN THE DESIRED OZONE PROTECTION DUE TO A PROCESSING ERROR.
2001 · electrical system:wiring: rear compartment/trunkcampaign 00V339000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ROUTING OF THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE OF THE REAR SEAT COULD ALLOW THE HARNESS TO CONTACT THE BODY. THE WIRES IN EACH HARNESS CONTROL THE STOP LAMP CIRCUIT, BACK-UP LAMP CIRCUIT, AND THE TURN LAMP CIRCUIT.
26 older recalls not shown. Check nhtsa.gov with your VIN for the full history.
Specifications
3.8 V6
3.8L 6-cylinder · 258 hp · FWD · automatic
Built 2007–2008