2002 Mitsubishi GALANT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
135 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
64,895 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 77 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 135 complaints (10.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 33 | 24.4% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 8.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 8.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 1.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 14 |
| Electrical System | 13 |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core | 13 |
| Structure:Body | 11 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 10 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 8 |
| Air Bags | 7 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 7 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 14; Electrical System: 13; Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core: 13; Structure:Body: 11; Air Bags:Frontal: 10; Engine And Engine Cooling: 8; Air Bags: 7; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 15 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 17 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 14 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 14 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 16 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 15; 25,000 to 49,999: 17; 50,000 to 74,999: 14; 75,000 to 99,999: 14; 100,000 to 149,999: 16; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (17). 58 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 |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 12 |
| 2003 | 10 |
| 2004 | 20 |
| 2005 | 14 |
| 2006 | 19 |
| 2007 | 16 |
| 2008 | 13 |
| 2009 | 14 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2002: 12; 2003: 10; 2004: 20; 2005: 14; 2006: 19; 2007: 16; 2008: 13; 2009: 14; 2010: 3; 2011: 2; 2012: 5; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2019: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 33 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 11 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 10008481 · 2003-03-06 (March 6, 2003)
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPED AFTER 15000 MILES, AND THE PROBLEM RESURFACED AGAIN AT 29000 MILES ALONG WITH EXCESSIVE BRAKE NOISE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008481 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009032 · 2003-02-21 (February 21, 2003)
THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009032 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003809 · 2003-01-14 (January 14, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003809 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10070122 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
STEERING-CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT -REMEDY, TECH SAID STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTER, ADJUSTED AND CROSS ROTATED FRONT TIRES. BRAKES-GRINDING -REMEDY, TECH SAID CALIPER SUPPORTS WERE FAULTY, REPLACED SUPPORTS AND TURNED ROTORS, THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE ROTORS. OTHER-HOOD WAS NOT SECURE IN HOOD LATCH, BOUNCED UP AND DOWN. -REMEDY, TECH SAID HOD LATCH OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, STILL BOUNCED AFTER CAR WAS PICKED UP.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,390 miles reported. Look up ODI 10070122 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10136179 · 2005-09-12 (September 12, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT STATED CAR HAS BEEN STALLING FOR SEVERAL YEARS. WHEN SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY TOLD HER THE PROBLEM EMERGED BECAUSE OF LOW MAINTENANCE ON THE CAR. SHE TOOL VEHICLE FOR SERVICE, BUT NOT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT WAS TOO EXPENSIVE. SINCE 3-2003 WATER LEAKED INTO THE CAR. WATER BUILD UP INSIDE OF THE CAR FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER. ALSO, HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. WHEN THE WATER ACCUMULATED IN THE CAR IT WILL LOCK ON ITS OWN. THE AIR CONDITIONER WILL NOT COME ON SOMETIMES. THERE WAS MOLD IN THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE WAT…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10136179 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10145168 · 2005-12-14 (December 14, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 02V147000 CONCERNING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10145168 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10283905 · 2009-09-14 (September 14, 2009)
WHILE THE 2002 GALANT WAS IN PARK AND ENGINE OFF , VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN STEEP DRIVEWAY I WAS FASTENING BABY INTO CARSEAT ON REAR PASSENGER SIDE OTHER CHILD BUMPED GEAR SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND CAR ENGAGED . I WAS DRAGGED WITH VEHICLE DOWN DRIVEWAY ACROSS STREET INTO A YARD AND INTO A TREE WHERE VEHICLE CAME TO REST AFTER CRASHING INTO TREE. THE GALANTS SHIFT LOCK DOES NOT WORK THE BRAKE SHOULD HAVE TO BE DEPRESSED TO SHIFT AND NOT AT ALL IF ENGINE IS OFF. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AS THIS COULD WELL HAVE BEEN FATAL. LUCKILY I RECEIVED ONLY …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10283905 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10486408 · 2012-11-29 (November 29, 2012)
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A SERVICE BULLETIN? NOT THAT MANY MILES. *TR UPDATED 12/04/12*LJ
Owner-reported narrative. 59,980 miles reported. Look up ODI 10486408 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10100970 · 2004-12-02 (December 2, 2004)
ON LEAVING WORK, I FILLED UP THE GAS TANK. I STARTED TO DRIVE HOME AND MY GAS GAUGE SHOWED NEAR EMPTY AFTER 15 MILES. I STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND THE POLICE OFFICER SAID TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY SINCE I HAD A GASOLINE LEAK. I THOUGH THAT IT WAS IN MY GAS TANK SO I FILLED UP TO DRIVE HOME. IT DID NOT SEAM TO LEAK WHEN THE ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING. THE NEXT DAY I DROVE IT TO THE MITSUBISHI DEALER AND A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. I DID NOT WANT TO RAISE THE HOOD BECAUSE THE OXOGEN WOU…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10100970 at NHTSA ↗