1994 Mitsubishi GALANT: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
122 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
109,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 122 complaints (15.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 14 | 11.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 5.7% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 4.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 4.1% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 3.3% |
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 | 19 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 13 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 6 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint | 6 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 5 |
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint: 19; Air Bags:Frontal: 13; Suspension:Front:Control Arm: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 6; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 6; Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint: 6; Air Bags: 5; Structure:Body:Door: 5
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 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 112 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 29 |
| 1996 | 11 |
| 2000 | 30 |
| 2001 | 23 |
| 2002 | 11 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
1995: 29; 1996: 11; 2000: 30; 2001: 23; 2002: 11; 2003: 3; 2004: 5; 2005: 6; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2009: 1; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 7 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 5 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10023823 · 2003-06-26 (June 26, 2003)
THE HARMONIC BALANCER SUDDENDLY BROKE ONE DAY AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK.THE MITSUBISHI DEALER SAID THAT IT SEEMED TO BE A VERY COMMOM OCCURANCE AND COMPLAINT AND THEREFORE HAD MANY PARTS IN STOCK. SEEMS TO ME THAT IF THEY HAVE TO STOCK A LOT OF THESE PARTS THEN MAYBE A BETTER LOOK AT THE MANUFACTURING OF THEM SHOULD BE TAKEN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10023823 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025433 · 2003-07-04 (July 4, 2003)
THE AIR BAGS DID NOT OPEN DURING MY AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT IT WAS PRACTICALLY A HEAD ON COLLISION AND I WAS GOING AT A SPEED OF 45 MPH IT WAS A GOOD THING I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT OR I WOULD HAVE GONE RIGHT THROUGH THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 203,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025433 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10047840 · 2003-11-12 (November 12, 2003)
WHILE TURNING 5 MPH, THE FRONT BALL JOINT AND AXLE SNAPPED. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE GEARS TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED. CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *PH
Owner-reported narrative. 121,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10047840 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10066757 · 2004-04-07 (April 7, 2004)
LEFT FRONT BALL JOINT FELL OFF. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY STOP AND FALL FLAT TO THE GROUND. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10066757 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067499 · 2004-04-20 (April 20, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE OVERHEATED, DEALERSHIP URGED CONSUMER TO CALL NHTSA TO REPORT THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10067499 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10073936 · 2004-05-15 (May 15, 2004)
THE RIGHT SIDE BALL JOINT SEPARATED ALMOST CAUSING CONSUMER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT.*MR *LA
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10073936 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10083463 · 2004-07-22 (July 22, 2004)
THE CONSUMER TOOK HIS VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED AND UPON ENTERING THE BAY AT THE SHOP, THE LOWER BALL JOINT FELL OFF. RECALL NO. 00V421001. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 126,572 miles reported. Look up ODI 10083463 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10101340 · 2004-11-19 (November 19, 2004)
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR RECALL 00V421003 REPAIRS. UPON LEAVING THE DEALER CONSUMER GOT INTO THE VEHICLE TO TAKE AN HOUR RIDE AND VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE ERRATICALLY. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO TWO OTHER MECHANICS, WHO DETERMINED THAT DEALER HAD DONE SOMETHING THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE DONE TO THE VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10101340 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
00V421001 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
Reported: 2000-12-18 (December 18, 2000)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗98V212000 · Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights:Switch
Reported: 1998-09-08 (September 8, 1998)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. WHEN THE STOP LAMP SWITCH WAS ASSEMBLED, GREASE WAS INADVERTENTLY APPLIED TO THE CONTACT POINT. THIS CAN CAUSE THE CONTACT POINT TO HEAT UP CAUSING INTERNAL OPERATION ELEMENTS TO MELT ALLOWING THE SWTICH TO BECOME STUCK IN ON OR OFF POSITION.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY AND REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V066001 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
Reported: 1999-04-05 (April 5, 1999)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗