1990 Mitsubishi Galant Problems
- Complaints
- 21filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 143,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 21 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 19 city / 25 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Mitsubishi Galant (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 1990 Mitsubishi Galant. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 9 complaints (43% of the total), followed by engine cooling (6) and seat belts (6). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 143,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 4 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling6 29%
- Seat belts6 29%
- Vehicle speed control2 9.5%
- Electrical system1 4.8%
- Body and structure1 4.8%
- Tires1 4.8%
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “Recall 98v168000/ manufacturer's recall sr-98-003/ transfer case failure. In december consumer took vehicle to dealer for recall repairs. Vehicle seemed to be making loud noises and locking up. Dealer blamed it on wheel bearing, and valve cover that might be leaking. Consumer had a second opinion, and they disagreed with dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #880537, filed 2001-02Engine cooling: “1,less than 20,000 miles the car needed a head gasket,timing belt and a water pump mind you the car never overheated once. 2,at 30,000 miles the first transmission went. 3,at 59,000+ miles the second transmission went. 4,now the car burns 2 quarts of oil a month. Help,I can't afford to put anymore money into this car it's not worth it.”
NHTSA complaint #700125, filed 1998-10Seat belts: “Drivers lap seat belt will not retract. While extending it to buckle, a noise like a tape measure rapidly closing was heard, then it would not retract. It extends out to its full extent, and is apparently worthless in case of an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10037227, filed 2003-09, 143,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 143,000 and 143,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1990 Mitsubishi Galant version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galant FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 20 | 27 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Galant FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Galant FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 25 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Galant FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Galant 4WD/AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 21 | 19 | $3,550 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 98V168000Jul 22, 1998Power train › Automatic transmissionCovers: Mitsubishi Galant 1990–1992, Expo 1992–1995
Vehicle description: all wheel drive passenger vehicles. Lockup of the transfer case can occur due to insufficient lubrication.
Recall details for the 1990 Mitsubishi Galant → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 4 on record; the latest 4 are shown.
- 10169006Nov 26, 2019Equipment. This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10163703Jul 30, 2019Equipment. This 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.
- 10130469Feb 26, 2018Equipment. This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170852Jan 29, 2013Body and structure. This Technical Service Bulletin updates the door adjustment procedure in the Body Section of the applicable service manuals.
Other model years of the Mitsubishi Galant
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 9 | 47,000 | 0 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 9 | 95,672 | 1 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 16 | 68,000 | 0 | — | 23 | — | Rising |
| 2008 | 6 | 80,000 | 0 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 2007 | 24 | 66,750 | 1 | — | 23 | — | Rising |
| 2006 | 24 | 65,000 | 1 | — | 23 | — | Falling |
| 2005 | 26 | 31,000 | 3 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2004 | 61 | 72,500 | 1 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 126 | 63,750 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 135 | 64,895 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 151 | 60,000 | 7 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 136 | 83,000 | 6 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 215 | 80,000 | 5 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 53 | 100,705 | 1 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 80 | 87,944 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1996 | 136 | 98,600 | 3 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 209 | 119,500 | 5 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 198 | 109,500 | 3 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 9 | 172,000 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 39 | 112,314 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 63 | 112,545 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 21 | 143,000 | 1 | — | 21 | — | Stable |
| 1989 | 19 | — | 1 | — | 22 | — | Stable |
| 1988 | 7 | — | 0 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 9 | — | 1 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
All Mitsubishi Galant model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1990 Mitsubishi Galant have?
NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 1990 Mitsubishi Galant as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Mitsubishi Galant is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 9 complaints (43% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 6.
Has the 1990 Mitsubishi Galant been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1990 Mitsubishi Galant get?
The EPA rates the 1990 Mitsubishi Galant (Galant, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 19 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1990 Mitsubishi Galant reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 143,000 miles and the middle half falls between 143,000 and 143,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.