1996 Mitsubishi Galant
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Mitsubishi › Galant › 1996
These records cover every 1996 Mitsubishi Galant. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
4 recalls name the 1996 Mitsubishi Galant. Newest first.
Certain airtex fuel pump module assemblies, p/n e7081h, sold for use as replacement equipment for the vehicles listed above. the wall of the flared fitting of the fuel pump IS not thick enough to prevent the mating threaded fittings from bottoming out before an adequate seal IS achieved. this condition may result in leakage of fuel at the connection of…
Risk and remedy
Risk
In the presence of an ignition source, a fuel leak could result in a fire.
Remedy
Airtex will notify owners and replace the fuel pumps free of charge. the recall IS expected to begin during july 2007. owners can contact airtex automotive at 800-880-3056.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. if the rubber boots on the lower lateral arm ball joints of the front suspension were damaged during assembly, dirt and water can intrude. also, mmc has added the potential of leaking moisture, which can cause the ball stud to corrode.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition could cause the lower lateral arm ball joint to separate, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. this campaign supercedes mmc's previous safety recall campaign, see 99v-066.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the lower lateral arm ball joint for wear. ball joints that exhibit wear beyond the established tolerance will be replaced with newly designed lateral arm ball joints. ball joints that are within the established tolerance will be cleaned and a special sealant will be applied to prevent intrusion of moisture.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. cracks can occur in the top of the fuel tank due to an improper spot weld on the baffle plate to the top portion of the fuel tank.
Risk and remedy
Risk
A crack in the fuel tank could allow fuel or fumes to escape. fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the upper surface of the fuel tank for any signs of cracking. if no cracking or leaking IS found, dealers will install a sealing protector plate. if any cracking or leakage IS found, dealers will replace the fuel tank assembly.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. if the rubber boots on the lower lateral arm ball joints of the front suspension were damaged during assembly, dirt and water can intrude.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition could cause the lower lateral arm ball joint to separate, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the rubber boots, and if the boot IS damaged, they will replace the lower lateral arm and ball joint on the affected vehicles.
Owner complaints
136 complaints27 involved a crash4 involved a fire23 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Structure › Body
TL* the contact owns a 1996 mitsubishi galant. The contact stated that routine maintenance was being performed on the vehicle when she was notified that the frame was corroded. The mechanic stated that the vehicle needed to be destroyed and was no longer safe to operate. The damage was beyond…
TL* the contact owns a 1996 mitsubishi galant. The contact stated that routine maintenance was being performed on the vehicle when she was notified that the frame was corroded. The mechanic stated that the vehicle needed to be destroyed and was no longer safe to operate. The damage was beyond repair. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was no longer covered under warranty. The failure and the current mileage was 179,000.
- Suspension › Front
I currently bought the 1996 mitsubishi galant for my wife and 11 month old daughter. The dealer told me I needed a front end alignment to get the pull and shake out of my front end. I took it to an alignment shop and the ase master tech. Told me my control arms were bent due to corrosion of the…
I currently bought the 1996 mitsubishi galant for my wife and 11 month old daughter. The dealer told me I needed a front end alignment to get the pull and shake out of my front end. I took it to an alignment shop and the ase master tech. Told me my control arms were bent due to corrosion of the ball joint, he then told me there was a recall on these vehicles and if I don't get the problem fixed it could result in a loss of steering. I don't think it would be safe for my wife to lose steering with our infant daughter so now I got bigger problems then a twenty five dollar front end alignment. I'm upset at the dealer for not informing me with these recalls not the manufacture for making the bad part. Please help before it IS too late. *Tr
- Structure › Frame and members
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 mitsubishi galant. while attempting to change a flat tire, the jack went straight through the frame while the vehicle was being lifted. the contact had the vehicle towed to a shop and they informed him that there was excessive rust in the rear subframe. the contact sold the vehicle rather than have it repaired. the failure mileage was 150,000.
- Structure › Body
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 mitsubishi galant. the rear wheel assembly IS attached to the subframe, which IS attached to the body. the entire part IS extremely rusted and prevented the contact from jacking the vehicle and changing the tire. the dealer notified the contact of this failure. the…
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 mitsubishi galant. the rear wheel assembly IS attached to the subframe, which IS attached to the body. the entire part IS extremely rusted and prevented the contact from jacking the vehicle and changing the tire. the dealer notified the contact of this failure. the failure IS noticeable while driving 20 mph. the failure mileage was 130,000 and current mileage was 162,000. updated 01-11-08. *kb updated 12/31/07 *tr
- Structure › Frame and members
The rear undercarriage of my 1996 mitsubishi galant has severe rust damage to the point that you cannot even jack up the car as the jack penetrates they sub frame. The strut from the right rear also came loose from the tower. The rear wheels that are attached to the sub frame are extremely unsafe. *Tr
- Structure › Frame and members
TL* - the contact owns a 1996 mitsubishi galant. during routine maintenance checks the mechanic discovered rust on the frame under the vehicle in front of each rear wheel. the current mileage was 157000 and the failure mileage was 155000. *ak updated 2/27/2007 - *nm
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission fluid dipstick impossible to read, notified dealer, dealer said that's just how it IS designed. I'm worried because tranmissions are a common failure on this generation of mitsubishi galant. Can this be corrected by a dipstick redesign?
- Power train › Manual transmission
The manual transmission of my 1996 mitsubishi galant slips out of gear at various speeds and reengages. Control of the vehicle IS lost when this happens.*ak
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
After receiving a recall 00v421001, an appointment was made. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, and consumer was told that the ball joints were not defective. consumer later purchased tires, and was told that the ball joint had excessive play. *ak
- Air bags
A truck dropped some boxes on the freeway. a car stopped suddenly to avoid the boxes, another car hit them, finally we hit that car. it was a 3 car pileup. I was driving and my wife was in the passenger seat. we were the last car in the line and hit at about 45+ mph. we were in a 1996…
A truck dropped some boxes on the freeway. a car stopped suddenly to avoid the boxes, another car hit them, finally we hit that car. it was a 3 car pileup. I was driving and my wife was in the passenger seat. we were the last car in the line and hit at about 45+ mph. we were in a 1996 mitsubishi galant with only 78K miles and we were both wearing our seatbelts. neither airbag deployed! it was a direct hit right in the front of our car at over 45 mph. now my wife may have permanent back pain. I can get the vin number if you need it. I just dont have access to it today.*ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal · Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
I have had nothing but problems with my sun roof, brakes, gas, acceleration and over heating of my car. My sun roof about every other month something goes wrong with it every time I open it. My breaks have been replaced about 4 or 5 times because the wear out quick. When I break my tiers skip the…
I have had nothing but problems with my sun roof, brakes, gas, acceleration and over heating of my car. My sun roof about every other month something goes wrong with it every time I open it. My breaks have been replaced about 4 or 5 times because the wear out quick. When I break my tiers skip the car stops but the tiers keep turning. My gas IS gone quick and I only drive here in town from work to home to daycare. sometimes when I turn my car on the speedometer moves by its self as if I were pushing the gas peddle and my foots on the break when it does it by its self and it does it when I'm driving. I can drive a block and my car gets really hot and the fan IS on right away. I can't stand my care anymore its nothing but problems for a while.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission failed suddenly @ 96,498 miles in 1996 mitsubishi galant vin# [xxx].....coleman taylor transmission/memphis tn attempted to rebuild transmission for 3 weeks.....had to remove and get another rebuilt transmission......4 days after picking car up.....gears 1-3 slam severely in and out of…
Transmission failed suddenly @ 96,498 miles in 1996 mitsubishi galant vin# [xxx].....coleman taylor transmission/memphis tn attempted to rebuild transmission for 3 weeks.....had to remove and get another rebuilt transmission......4 days after picking car up.....gears 1-3 slam severely in and out of gears up and down......gears 4-5 ok an expressway......reported prob to coleman taylor....suggested (on a saturday) to remove ground from battery to re-set computer and told to test drive....test drove and transmission began slamming in and out of gears 1-3 severely and making a terrible noice, causing driver to run into a ditch.....car IS expected to be determined a totaled by progressive ins today...........air bag did not deploy either.........caused a $75.00 towing and fine by memphis police dept for failing to maintain outlook (they felt sorry for us!)...*ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
Took in my 1996 mitsubishi galant ES for it's yearly inspection. vechicle failed due to obd readiness monitor saying my check engine light was on. the light was noton and in fact wokred perfectly as tested by turning on the engine, the light would come on for a few seconds as part of the start up…
Took in my 1996 mitsubishi galant ES for it's yearly inspection. vechicle failed due to obd readiness monitor saying my check engine light was on. the light was noton and in fact wokred perfectly as tested by turning on the engine, the light would come on for a few seconds as part of the start up then turn off. I had two shops read the ecm with a snap on tools computer to see if there were any codes in the computer. there were none, but it did say that the check engine light was on, even though it wasn't. I took it into the salt lake coutny emission control and they performed the same tests yielding the same results. everyone was baffled. the salt lake country emission control thinks the entire ecm IS faulty and will need to be replaced.*ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic
While driving 60 mph the vehicle's brake failed without warning. As a result the vehicle hit a brick wall. Air bags deployed. The driver sustained severe injuries to the back. Please provide additional information. *nm
- Air bags · Service brakes, hydraulic
Brakes failed, caused a collision and air bags failed to deploy. *jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Power train › Automatic transmission
I was driving about 60 mph on the highway, when all of a sudden, the transmission shifted three times. the check engine light came on, and when I got home, the car would not go into reverse. the next day, I placed the gear in drive, and pressed the gas; it sounded as if the entire everything…
I was driving about 60 mph on the highway, when all of a sudden, the transmission shifted three times. the check engine light came on, and when I got home, the car would not go into reverse. the next day, I placed the gear in drive, and pressed the gas; it sounded as if the entire everything would fall out. my transmission has gone out without warning, and I know this IS not normal. I now see that there IS a transmission problem with these cars. please make sure that mitsubishi takes responsibility and compensate us, the consumers. if they don't, they will only lose customers. thanks.*ak
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
While driving, the ball joints separated which caused the vehicle to steer to the left and damaged the axle. *jb
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Hi, I am writing this because we have had problems with this car for the past 4 years. The transmission only lasted for 1 or if we were lucky 2 years. Now we all ready put three of them in the car in the past 4 years, two were new and one was used. now I know that may not seem like a lot of money…
Hi, I am writing this because we have had problems with this car for the past 4 years. The transmission only lasted for 1 or if we were lucky 2 years. Now we all ready put three of them in the car in the past 4 years, two were new and one was used. now I know that may not seem like a lot of money to some people but when you are trying to support three kids that's a lot. Well my complaint IS that why are we having these problems. The dealer said that it was a defect that when they built this car that they were test cars .and they said that as long as I own this car I will have this problem over and over. And the dealer who said it was the one in liverpool new york . So please if you can help let me now what I can do. thank you. *jb
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint · Suspension › Front › Control arm › Upper ball joint
Paid for repairs on a 1996 mitsubishi galant ES suspension front control arm ball joint.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
I owned my car for about 4 months when the first transmission went out at approx. 40000 miles warranty replacement. approx. 1 year later that transmission went out, it was out of warranty at that time and I had to pay $1700 to repair it. 4 months after that the transmission went out a third time…
I owned my car for about 4 months when the first transmission went out at approx. 40000 miles warranty replacement. approx. 1 year later that transmission went out, it was out of warranty at that time and I had to pay $1700 to repair it. 4 months after that the transmission went out a third time, I bought a used transmission and had it installed. The transmission still does not act right, shifting hard and thumping a lot. There IS definitly something wrong with these cars and or transmissions. dt
- Power train › Automatic transmission
On march 20, 1999 I purchased the mitsubishi galant from mark escude toyota of 955 I-20 s. Frontage rd jackson< ms 39204 (601) 948-3420. after leaving the dealership, about 15-20 miles away the transmission went out & had to be towed back. on march 24, 1999 we returned back to the dealership, 2…
On march 20, 1999 I purchased the mitsubishi galant from mark escude toyota of 955 I-20 s. Frontage rd jackson< ms 39204 (601) 948-3420. after leaving the dealership, about 15-20 miles away the transmission went out & had to be towed back. on march 24, 1999 we returned back to the dealership, 2 hours away, to pick up the car. now, almost 30000 miles later the transmission has gone out once again, making this the third transmission to be placed in the vehicle. after going online & doing checks on the '96 galant's transmission I discovered that there was cases after cases of the same galant s series in which I have where the transmission was having to be replaced. undoubtabley, there IS something in this paticular model that IS causing the transmission to fail. I have spoken with 2 differrent people with mitsubishi motors & they feel that it IS just coinsidence that the same year, make, & model with the same type transmission have the same problem. please look into this problem because I feel that by putting another transmission in the car will not solve anything but only ruin another transmission costing the consumer. dt
- Visibility › Power window devices and controls
The power window switch will not roll windows up or down. At first the driver side control would not operate any windows in vehicle. Then the driver side power window quit working also. It seems as if the motor IS defective. dt
- Suspension › Front › Control arm
Consumer had left front ball joint repaired under recall last year. 6 months later, right ball joint broke. consumer had repaired it. on 9/14/02 left ball joint broke again while driving, causing wheel to fall off.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
When accelerating the transmission lagged the kicked into gear. when it finally failed, it lagged and something popped and had no gears at all. the car did still run, pressing the gas did no good.*ak
- Structure › Frame and members
Subframe bolt broke in half - dealer can't remove old bolt and replace - said they 'never break'*ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Lower contrtol arm ball joint
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10211530This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by improper sealing or a defective/broken part.
- 10170852This Technical Service Bulletin updates the door adjustment procedure in the Body Section of the applicable service manuals.
- 10170100This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170099This is an index of Tech Talk newsletter articles released in 2012.
- 10170097This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170096This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170087This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170086This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170074This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170071This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170070This TSB contains troubleshooting steps for diagnosis of various customer complaints relating to the audio system speakers in Mitsubishi vehicles equipped with original equipment audio components.
- 10169006This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10163703This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin supersedes TSB-18-00-003, issued April, 2018, to add updated information for Carrying Capacity Reduced Label.
- 10130469This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10002357Obd-ii drive cycle.
- 6088731This bulletin contains recommended automatic transmission / transaxle maintenance information.
- 6088726This bulletin contains recommended manual transmission / transaxle maintenance information.
- 618250Subject regarding power steering pump replacement.
- 614011This bulletin contains obd-ii drive cycle procedures and warranty claim information for obd-ii drive cycle on affected vehicles.
- 602455Experiencing a/t harsh 3-2 downshifts.
- 602033Information on a/t shift cable kit installation tip.
- 601998The park/neutral position switch continuity check table IS incorrectly printed in the affected service manual pages.
- 601990Vehicles may experience long cold start times, sag during warm-up, and stalling.
- 601988Procedures on fule pump operation check.
- 601842Service manual revision on corrected air conditioner refrigerant.
- 600571Information about improved automatic transaxle end clutch.
- 54304Revised headlight aiming adjustment procedures.
- 54300Multi-purpose fuse capacity IS incorrectly specified in the affected service manual pages.
- 54299Service manual revision on supplemental restraint system (srs) cautions and warnings.
- 54032Information containing additional glass antenna cautions and inspection procedures.
- 53050Service manual revision.
- 53047Describing how to reprogram the homelink transmitter.
- 52640Generator stator removal - service manual revision.
- 52632Crankshaft bearing selection procedure - service manual revision.
- 52631Valve guide replacement procedures (galant) - service manual revision.
- 52625Dtc p0135 inspection procedure - service manual revision.
- 52622Code no. 26, 27 park/neutral position switch system - service manual revision.
- 52620Mut-ii scan tool warranty.
- 52611Ignition key difficult to remove.
- 52096Sunroof trim cover loose.
Every Mitsubishi Galant model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.