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Mitsubishi GalantModel year report

1994 Mitsubishi Galant Problems

Complaints
198filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
109,500miles, 10 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns 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
22 mpgcombined, 2.4L 4-cyl FWD · 19 city / 26 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1994 Mitsubishi Galant (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe front suspension problems, especially lower ball joints that separate or come loose, and airbags that did not deploy in collisions. Other recurring reports cover automatic transmission disengaging or shifting oddly, brake pedal feel and ABS warning lights, and assorted electrical glitches such as door locks cycling and stalling.

  1. Suspension

    Front lower ball joint separation or looseness

    • 45 complaints (23%)
    • median 98,000 mi at 10.5 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
    • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 1995–2007

    Complaints describe the front lower ball joint separating from the steering knuckle or developing excessive play, sometimes with the wheel collapsing or the tire falling against the wheel well. Several owners mention rubber boots that were torn or dry, and some say that after a recall inspection the dealer resealed a boot or declined to replace a joint that other mechanics later judged worn. A few describe the lower control arm nut or bolt coming loose while driving. Reported across a wide mileage range, from around 70,000 to over 125,000 miles, often noticed at low speed when turning or pulling into a driveway.

    Recall 00V421001Recall 99V066001

    What to check: Have the front lower ball joints and boots inspected by an independent mechanic, and ask whether the ball joint recalls were completed and what parts were actually replaced. Check for torn boots, grease loss and play in the joint.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I received a recall notice for my 1994 Mitsubishi Galant ls ,and I took my car to the nearest dealership, ourisman Mitsubishi, last year concerning the lower arm ball joint. It was determined there that the ball joint was in excellent condition. After having my car inspected by my private and certified mechanic he strongly recommended that I replace this very part. The mechanic indicated that the driver's side ball joint is in serious need of replacement.”

    NHTSA complaint #10133255, filed 2005-08, 71,904 miles

    “The wheel of my daughter's Mitsubishi Galant fell off! While pulling into the driveway at our home, the Galant's ball joint on the lower lateral control arm failed. The ball joint pulled out of the socket and the transaxle pulled out of the transmission. This resulted in the wheel falling against the wheel well (literally falling off the car!) there was no grease in the ball joint socket. Thankfully, this occurred at a very low rate of speed. If it had happened on the expressway, it would have definitely caused a serious accident! …”

    NHTSA complaint #10198911, filed 2007-08, 86,000 miles
  2. Air bags

    Airbags did not deploy in a collision

    • 28 complaints (14%)
    • median 101,584 mi at 13.0 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
    • 24 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 1995–2009

    Numerous complaints describe frontal and side impacts where neither the driver nor passenger airbag deployed, sometimes in vehicles that were totaled. Owners generally report the collision details and note that the dealer or manufacturer had not been contacted at the time of filing. One complaint describes an airbag deploying without a crash, and another describes the passenger airbag material pushing through the seams without full deployment. Reported across a broad range of vehicle ages and mileages; most complaints do not state mileage, and impacts described range from about 20 to 70 mph.

    What to check: Ask whether the airbag warning lamp behaves normally at startup and whether any airbag system diagnosis or repair has been done. On a vehicle this age, have the restraint system checked by a qualified technician.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “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.”

    NHTSA complaint #10025433, filed 2003-07, 203,000 miles

    “Consumer was involved in a side impact collision driving at 20 MPH, and was forced into two other cars head-on. Upon impact, neither driver's side nor passenger's side air bag deployed. Also, car was totaled. Please provide any further details.”

    NHTSA complaint #864175, filed 2000-06
  3. Transmission and drivetrain

    Automatic transmission slips out of gear or shifts oddly

    • 15 complaints (8%)
    • median 121,000 mi at 10.1 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
    • filed 1995–2003

    Owners describe the automatic transmission disengaging from drive while merging or driving, leaving the car coasting and slowing. Others report delayed or missed downshifts, the transmission dropping to neutral on a downhill, starting out in third gear, and vibration at idle while in gear. Some say the dealer could not duplicate or identify the cause. Mileage is not stated in most of these complaints; one owner reports a repeat episode about 22,000 miles after the first.

    What to check: Test drive from a cold start and on a downhill, watching for delayed engagement, slipping, or unexpected neutral. Ask about transmission fluid service history and any prior transmission or axle work.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Automatic transmission diseng, onto a clover-leaf, and were beginning to merge onto a junctioning interstate. The traffic we were merging into was traveling at highway speed (appx 70mph,) and we were almost rear-ended when the car disengaged from drive and began coasting and slowing down. This exact situation occurred 22,000 miles earlier.”

    NHTSA complaint #717025, filed 2000-01

    “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.”

    NHTSA complaint #10047840, filed 2003-11, 121,000 miles
  4. Brakes

    Brake pedal to the floor, ABS light and rotor wear

    • 12 complaints (6%)
    • median 161,500 mi at 11.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 1995–2005

    Complaints describe the brake pedal going to the floor during a stop, giving a long stopping distance, and in some cases a collision. Several owners report the ABS warning light coming on and going off, with control unit, relay and hydraulic unit replacements that did not end the problem. Others describe rotors wearing thin and pulsation when braking. Mileage ranges from about 41,000 miles for the earlier ABS repairs to around 161,500 miles for a pedal-to-floor report.

    What to check: Check that the ABS lamp lights at startup and then goes out, look at brake fluid level and pedal firmness, and ask about rotor and hydraulic unit replacement history.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Had problems with ABS light coming on & going off throughout ownership of car. Also, had problems with ABS light staying on. This problem was serviced by dealer on 5 occasions. Abs control unit, relay, relay s-o and hydraulic unit was replaced at 41,201 miles and again at 82,000.”

    NHTSA complaint #705798, filed 1999-04

    “Brake rotors wear thin w/brakes pulsating when applied. Brakes also have delay in response and are equipped w/ABS brakes. Vehicle has had (9) sets of rotors changed. Please describe details.”

    NHTSA complaint #803746, filed 1996-10
  5. Electrical system

    Stalling and electrical faults (locks, headlights)

    • 24 complaints (12%)
    • median 124,000 mi at 11.2 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
    • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 1995–2005

    Owners report the engine stalling at speed without warning, in one case twice and with no fault found by the dealer. Others describe power door locks locking on their own or relocking after being unlocked, and headlights that cut out until the switch or ignition is cycled. A related complaint ties stalling and inoperative power locks to a short in the electrical system. Mileage is mostly not stated; one stalling report is at about 124,000 miles, and one lock complaint notes the behavior ongoing for a year.

    Recall 98V212000

    What to check: Cycle the headlight and brake light switches, test every door lock repeatedly, and ask whether any stalling episodes have been diagnosed. Note that a stop lamp switch recall exists for this era, so confirm whether it was performed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Dt: caller says the car stalled at any speed. This happened without warning. Dealer could not find what was wrong with vehicle. They could not replace parts until they find the one that worked manufacturer has not been contacted yet. Car had to be towed twice.”

    NHTSA complaint #10126063, filed 2005-06, 124,000 miles

    “While driving the vehicle the headlights went out. After flipping the switch the headlights came back on. This happened again on 9/20/97. When flipping the switch nothing happened. Aftre turning off ignition and turning back on, the headlights came on again. Vehicle will be seen by dealer on 9/26/97.”

    NHTSA complaint #816610, filed 1997-09

Buying note. Front ball joint condition and recall completion are the first things to verify on this model year, followed by a transmission and brake test drive. With vehicles this old, a pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic is worth the cost.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 198 consumer complaints for the 1994 Mitsubishi Galant. 10 of the complaints include a mileage, and 10% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 109,500 miles. Of all complaints, 33 involved a crash, 5 a fire, 17 an injury, 2 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 5 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

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.

Also reported: Seat belts (9), Equipment (6), Latches, locks and linkages (6), Wheels (6), Other or unknown (5), Tires (5), Vehicle speed control (5), Seats (2), Fuel system (1), Interior lighting (1).

Example complaints

Suspension: “The ball joint to driver's side broke while I was driving down road at 50mph, the car veered to left and skidded about 500 feet before I could get vehicle to stop. When I did the driver tire was perpendicular to the car and the base of motor was resting on the ground. After mitsibushi repaired the ball joint and half shaft that also broke. I transported it to ocala florida from odessa texas on a car carrier since that point I have learned all 4 motor mounts were broken. …”

NHTSA complaint #756650, filed 2002-01

Air bags: “The airbags did not fail to work, my complaint is concerning the vinyl of the dash that the airbag is kept in. The vinyl of the car looks as if it has been warped from the sun. The vinyl around the airbag looks like it is receeding from the dash. The top part of the airbag cover is popping up and looks as if it will come apart. The dash vinyl is also receding from the top closest to the air vent.”

NHTSA complaint #765676, filed 2002-08

Transmission and drivetrain: “Lower lateral arms and tie rods had to be replaced at 35,100 miles. When passing another vehicle at 60 MPH, the transmission went into neutral - very dangerous situation since another vehicle was approaching in the other lane. Also vehicle downshifts intermittently on a frequent basis. Power window regulator on right front passenger side failed at 35,100 miles.”

NHTSA complaint #709335, filed 1999-07

Brakes: “This information was reconstructed from memory. I wrote a letter to nhsta in 1995. Though I no longer own the car (I sold it in april 2000) I am entering this data at this time, because of today's press release regarding the Mitsubishi coverup. I hope this will assist nhsta in it's investigation against mitsibushi. Please check back files for copies of documents submitted with my 1995 letter. Debbie ryan”

NHTSA complaint #728818, filed 2000-08

Mileage when problems were reported

10% of the 10 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 71,904 and 126,572 miles.

10%0–100%10–250%25–5020%50–7520%75–10030%100–15020%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (10 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 109,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’95’97’9939’01’03’05’07’16
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1994 Mitsubishi Galant. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Galant · sedan not rated– / 4———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1994 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).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Galant FWD2.4L 4-cyl5-speed manual212823$2,900
Galant FWD2.4L 4-cyl4-speed automatic192622$3,050
Galant FWD2.4L 4-cyl5-speed manual192722$3,750
Galant FWD2.4L 4-cyl4-speed automatic182420$4,100

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

Recall details for the 1994 Mitsubishi Galant → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

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. 5 on record; the latest 5 are shown.

Other model years of the Mitsubishi Galant

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2012947,0000—24—Not enough data
2010995,6721—24—Not enough data
20091668,0000—23—Rising
2008680,0000—23—Not enough data
20072466,7501—23—Rising
20062465,0001—23—Falling
20052631,0003—23Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20046172,5001—23Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200312663,7502—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200213564,8952—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200115160,0007—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200013683,0006—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199921580,0005—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199853100,7051—23Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19978087,9441—22Not compared (before 2008)Rising
199613698,6003—23Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1995209119,5005—22Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1994198109,5003—22Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19939172,0000—21—Not enough data
199239112,3141—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199163112,5451—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199021143,0001—21—Stable
198919—1—22—Stable
19887—0—18—Not enough data
19879—1—20—Not enough data

All Mitsubishi Galant model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1994 Mitsubishi Galant?

Owners of this model year most often describe front suspension problems, especially lower ball joints that separate or come loose, and airbags that did not deploy in collisions. The issues reported most often: Front lower ball joint separation or looseness; Airbags did not deploy in a collision; Automatic transmission slips out of gear or shifts oddly.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1994 Mitsubishi Galant have?

NHTSA recorded 198 consumer complaints for the 1994 Mitsubishi Galant as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1994 Mitsubishi Galant is reported most often?

Suspension is named most often, in 57 complaints (29% of the total), followed by air bags with 35.

Has the 1994 Mitsubishi Galant been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1994 Mitsubishi Galant get?

The EPA rates the 1994 Mitsubishi Galant (Galant, 2.4L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 19 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1994 Mitsubishi Galant reported?

Among the 10 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 109,500 miles and the middle half falls between 71,904 and 126,572 miles; 10% 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.