1998 Mitsubishi Galant
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Mitsubishi › Galant › 1998
These records cover every 1998 Mitsubishi Galant. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1998 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.
Owner complaints
53 complaints3 involved a crash3 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Vehicle speed control
On jan. 9, 2013, while I was backing up my mitsubishi galant 1998 (vin # [xxx]) in my driveway, I noticed that the car started moving on its own and I had to keep my foot on the brake. After backing up, when I drove forward, my car seemed to be quite jumpy and wanted to lurch forwards. At a traffic…
On jan. 9, 2013, while I was backing up my mitsubishi galant 1998 (vin # [xxx]) in my driveway, I noticed that the car started moving on its own and I had to keep my foot on the brake. After backing up, when I drove forward, my car seemed to be quite jumpy and wanted to lurch forwards. At a traffic light about half a mile from home, while I was stopped, I noticed that the car started moving forwards. I immediately slammed hard on the brake. This was extremely unusual and scary. Later while going down a hill, I could sense that the car was again quite jumpy and wanted to accelerate on its own. I stopped at a shop for something and then when I got back to the car and turned on the engine again, I noticed that the "check engine" light had just come on. I felt that the car was not safe and had it towed to klahanie chevron in issaquah, wa, very close to my house. I was later informed by them that the ??idle control motor?? For my car was malfunctioning and due to this I was experiencing all these car ??jumpiness?? Issues. The ??idle control motor?? Was replaced and now the car appears to be running fine. I have always been more than up to date with my car maintenance. The behavior of this car in which the car was accelerating on its own IS dangerous and mitsubishi engineers should look into this for possible recall\remediation, since this can greatly endanger the lives of people in the car and anybody else sharing the road at that time. information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6). *Tr
- Suspension
TL* the contact owns a 1998 mitsubishi galant. The contact stated that the front passenger side lower ball joint failed. The contact stated that the nut that held the lower ball joint became loose and detached, causing the lower ball joint failure. The vehicle had been repaired three times prior…
TL* the contact owns a 1998 mitsubishi galant. The contact stated that the front passenger side lower ball joint failed. The contact stated that the nut that held the lower ball joint became loose and detached, causing the lower ball joint failure. The vehicle had been repaired three times prior for the same exact failure. The manufacturer extended the warranty for the part for a lifetime however, the contact believed the failure to be an extreme safety issue because the part would become loose very easily. The vin was not available. The failure mileage was 150,000.
- Suspension › Front
Lower lateral arm ball joint broke caused my car to crash into a parked vehicle as I was driving at a low rate of speed. *tr
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
Lower control arm was found to have a problem upon inspection by a mechanic. *jb
- Unknown or other
The black paint on my 1998 mitsubishi galant ES has worn off in an a typical pattern. The paint has come off in a grid-like fashion - as though a giant acidic tire has rolled over it. It IS effecting the roof, hood and trunk area of the car. I have noticed other mitsubishi galants (and eclipses) of the same year with similar paint peeling problems. *nm
- Power train › Automatic transmission
When you start the car it makes a load noise until fully heated, and the transmission IS pulling and making noise, it gets stuck in gear and will not move to next gear, just stalls and then kicks in. First it was just skipping gears for the last five days so I checked the fluid it only could use…
When you start the car it makes a load noise until fully heated, and the transmission IS pulling and making noise, it gets stuck in gear and will not move to next gear, just stalls and then kicks in. First it was just skipping gears for the last five days so I checked the fluid it only could use not even a half of court, I had no warning light at all until the sixth night when it got stuck in gear and steering to change. *Jb
- Unknown or other
The black paint on my 1998 mistubishi galant ES has worn off in an a typical pattern. The paint has come off in a grid-like fashion - as though a giant acidic tire has rolled over it. It IS effecting the roof, hood and trunk area of the car. I have noticed other mistubishi galants (and eclipses) of the same year with similar paint peeling problems. *Jb
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
Ball joints were replaced prior to consumer receiving the recall notice. *ph the consumer request reimbursement for the repairs. *nm
- Seat belts
Nar 05/21/2003 *mr the consumer seat belts would not retract properly. Dealer was notified. *cb
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint · Suspension › Front › Control arm › Upper ball joint
In november 2003, while driving between 20 to 25 mph, front passenger tire fell off, vehicle was towed to independent mechanic, who determined that ball joints failed. In april 2004 consumer received a recall letter notice concerning ball joint problem.*ak
- Suspension
The consumer's daughter had difficulty with the steering which ended up on the opposite side of the road crashing into an embankment. 3 years after accident, consumer received a recall notice on lower ball joints that could lead to loss of steering. *la the consumer's daughter was injured and feels that the dealer should be responsible for damages. recall#00v421001. *sc
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Car started stalling at low speeds, had transmission filter changed, found a lot of metal in fluid. Drove car 500 more miles before losing reverse and overdrive. Transmission unable to run at 71,000 miles. *la
- Air bags · Structure › Body
The bedding on the dash IS coming off, including the bedding on the air bag. I have called mitsubishi, they say a service person will call me back in 72 hours and they never do. Mitsubishi motors 1998 gallant.*ak
- Structure › Body
Mitsubishi galant 1998 - padded cover over console and air bag IS comming loose, probably due to poor glue.it may not be safe, but I cannot get mitsubishi to fix it or even to discuss the problem. I don't think they want to hear customer complaints.*ak
- Structure › Body › Hood › Hinge and attachments · Structure › Frame and members
Consumer states that the strut mounts popped out from under the hood. mechanic diagnosed that the vehicle was not welded properly because the frame should not be tearing easily.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Automatic transmission locked up with no prior warning. With under 20000 miles on the car transmission would not shift. Took to dealer and they made an adjustment and it was fine. Then, at 76000 miles the transmission locked up in traffic. *jb
- Power train › Automatic transmission
In june of 2002, auto transmission solenoid pack failed at 74,000 miles. was replaced by authorized repair shop (not under warranty). shop flushed transmission and found metal shavings in the fluid. less than one month later (august 15, 2002) transmission failed completely at 78,000 miles. transmission replaced completely at 78,000 miles. dt
- Power train › Automatic transmission
While driving the vehicle the first day of purchase I noticed the transmission was not shifting properly. I asked the salesman what that was he told me that's just the way the car runs. A few months later I was still having the same problem I called the dealer and made a big stink about it and they…
While driving the vehicle the first day of purchase I noticed the transmission was not shifting properly. I asked the salesman what that was he told me that's just the way the car runs. A few months later I was still having the same problem I called the dealer and made a big stink about it and they told me to bring it in. I did, they told me there was nothing wrong with my transmission. I was still having problems and took it to a independent mechanic. Who dropped the pan and found metal shavings, not a lot. The problem persisted, so I took it back to my mechanic to have it serviced again and this time when he dropped the pan there were large chunks of metal. One looked like a gear head. I then called my dealer to see what they were going to do about it. They then told me that they had no information proving that I had a warranty and all the time I did. They told me to contact mitsubishi motors to get my warranty information, the lady there told me I did have a warranty and that the car had been disposed of as a defective automobile. I am now persuing legal action.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
I was told by the dealer that this part was not covered because the warranty had expired. I found out today that this was covered at the time the dealer told me it couldn't be repaired under the warranty.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Power train › Automatic transmission
While having vehicle serviced mechanic noticed theat engine was malfunctioning due to defective components in engine. This caused transmission to fail.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
While having vehicle serviced after purchasing vehicle, and having it for a couple of weeks mechanic noticed that oil filter/brackets were damaged and rigged for several hundred miles. until vehicle was sold consumer experienced problem. Dealer stated malfunction was not covered under warranty.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
While driving 55-60 mph and without warning vehicle began to smoke under the hood, and suddenly vehicle started to stall. Mechanic stated radiator cracked and needed to be replaced.*ak
- Visibility › Windshield
When windshield was hit bye a little tar pellet from a short distance entire windshield started cracking badly.*ak
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
Recall on lower ball joint boot was done in january 2002. on 30 april consumer was unable to steer at slow speed. Vehicle has not been taken to a dealership.*jb
- Electrical system › Ignition
The vehicle engine started quiting suddenly and unexpectedly leaving driver without power steering and power brakes. It IS a very hazardous situation in busy metropolis (houston, tx) where car IS driven. Also the car can leave passengers stranded in remote or dangerous locations without warning.*ak
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.
- 635109Information on crankshaft identification marks - service manual revision.
- 634624Subject regarding corrected air conditioner magnetic clutch service procedures.
- 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.
- 606605Exhibiting rough idle after warm-up.
- 604259This bulletin contains snow tire recommendations for certain cars and sport-utility vehicles.
- 602934Information concerning a change in spark plug.
- 602455Experiencing a/t harsh 3-2 downshifts.
- 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.
- 600573Repair procedures for audio failure on various model years.
- 600571Information about improved automatic transaxle end clutch.
- 54034Preventing dust from entering the interior.
- 54029Vehicles may exhibit a condition where the driver's side sunroof side decoration cover comes loose.
- 54025Repair information for correcting a cold start generator drive belt noise condition on some vehicles.
- 54023Service manual revision on corrected crankshaft bearing procedures.
Every Mitsubishi Galant model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.