1997 Mitsubishi GALANT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
61 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
87,944 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 18 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 61 complaints (18.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 13.1% |
| Braking behavior | 7 | 11.5% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 9.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 6.6% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 3.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 11 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 6 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Floor Shift | 3 |
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint: 11; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 6; Air Bags:Frontal: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 4; Electrical System: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Floor Shift: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 3
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 43 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 6 |
| 2001 | 12 |
| 2002 | 11 |
| 2003 | 9 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2000: 6; 2001: 12; 2002: 11; 2003: 9; 2004: 9; 2005: 1; 2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 5; 2009: 2; 2012: 1; 2016: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 8 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10066496 · 2004-04-19 (April 19, 2004)
1997 MITSUBISHI GALANT ES W/ AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ("TRANSAXLE"): VEHICLE'S GEARSHIFT CAN BE ACCIDENTLY BUMPED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL BECAUSE THIS GEAR CHANGE DOES NOT REQUIRE THE BRAKES TO BE PRESSED NOR THE GEARSHIFT BUTTON TO BE PRESSED. I HAVE TWICE NOW BUMPED THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL FROM DRIVE BY REACHING OVER THE GEARSHIFT, BOTH TIMES WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION (ONCE WHILE TRYING TO MERGE ONTO THE INTERSTATE). THIS COULD HAVE LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT BOTH TIMES HAD I NOT QUICKLY DISCOVERED THAT MY CAR WAS NO LONGER IN DRIVE. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE…
Owner-reported narrative. 80,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10066496 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10066738 · 2004-04-07 (April 7, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH TRANSMISSION BLEW OUT. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 118,925 miles reported. Look up ODI 10066738 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010834 · 2003-03-21 (March 21, 2003)
NOTICED "SQUEAKING" NOISE WHEN DRIVING AT MINIMAL SPEED-ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. AUTO MECHANIC SAID THE STEERING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, BRAKES HAVE BEEN CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH ROTOR DAMAGE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10010834 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014304 · 2003-04-12 (April 12, 2003)
THE BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE BRAKES SEEM TO MAKE A POPPING NOISE WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURN. I HAVE TO APPLY BRAKES AT A FAR DISTANCE TO PREVENT FROM RUNNING INTO OTHER VEHICLES. THE PROBLEM HAS EXISTED FOR AWHILE AND NOTED TO SERVICE DEALERSHIP ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. IN ADDITION, NOISE CAN BE HEARD FROM THE GAS TANK WHEN BRAKING. YOU CAN HEAR THE GAS SHAKING FROM IN THE TANK. THIS IS A CONCERN WHEN TRANSPORTING PASSENGERS IN THE REAR COMPARTMENT. DON'T KNOW IF THE TANK WILL EVENTUALLY EXPLODE …
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014304 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000048 · 2002-12-14 (December 14, 2002)
THE ENGINE HAS AN UNEVEN IDLE AND HESISTATES AT 2200 RPM. FOUR LIFTERS WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT 23K MILES. THE ENGINE WAS REMANUFACTURED UNDER WARRANTY TO FIX AN OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM AT 28K MILES. THE CAR NOW HAS 75K MILES AND IS AGAIN BURNING OIL AT 1 QUART/1K MILES. THE CASTER ALIGNMENT IS OFF BY 1.2 DEGREES AND CANNOT BE FIXED. THE FRONT BUMPER IS FALLING OFF BECAUSE THE THIN METAL PLATE THAT HOLDS IT ON HAS RUSTED OFF. THE HORN HAS STOPPED WORKING SEVEN DIFFERENT TIMES, DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE GROUND AND WIRING IN GENERAL.…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000048 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002605 · 2003-01-13 (January 13, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT AT WORK, WHEN THE RADIO CAUGHT ON FIR DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002605 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10069091 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
CAR STALLS WHEN STOPPING, AND VIBRATES. FELLS LIKE CAR IS NOT GETTING GAS. RPM'S GO UP WHILE DRIVING. AFTER 3 ATTEMPS, TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS CLAIM THEY CANNOT COME UP WITH A CODE, SO NOT SURE WHAT TO DO. ANY SUGGESTIONS? WHAT OTHER COMPLAINTS HAVE YOU RECEIVED?
Owner-reported narrative. 67,241 miles reported. Look up ODI 10069091 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 735703 · 2000-11-03 (November 3, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING ON HWY WITH FAMILY AT 65MPH CAR LOST ELECTRICAL POWER. CAME TO A HALT IN REAL BUSY TRAFFIC. NO LIGHTS INCLUDING EMERGENCY FLASHERS WOULD TURN ON. CAR WOULD NOT START AND STALLED. FORCED TO VEAR OFF HIGHWAY NOT TO CAUSE ACCIDENT. TOTAL COST OF TOWING 155 DOLLARS AND TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS 900 DOLLARS. LUCKY WE ARE STILL ALIVE AND NO ONE ELSE GOT HURT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 735703 at NHTSA ↗