1996 Mitsubishi Galant Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe transmission problems, typically a transmission that fails or slips with little warning, and recurring brake complaints such as noise, vibration and long stopping distances. Many reports come in as the car reaches higher mileage, and several owners also describe rust in the rear structure and concerns about the front control arm ball joints covered by past recalls.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission failure or slipping out of gear

   • 24 complaints (18%)
   • median 93,474 mi at 9.0 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2005

   Complaints describe transmissions that slip, lag, slam into gear, or stop driving altogether, sometimes while the car is moving at highway speed. Several owners report that a replacement transmission later showed the same behavior, and some say the dealer attributed it to fluid level or told them the car was out of warranty. In some accounts the transmission failed without warning while parked or when pulling away from a stop. Reports span from roughly 30,000 to about 130,000 miles, with many in the 60,000-100,000 mile range.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for service records showing whether the transmission was replaced or rebuilt, and test drive at highway speed checking for slipping, delayed engagement or harsh shifting. Check the fluid level and condition on the dipstick, which owners note is hard to read.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving about 60 MPH on the highway, when all of a sudden, the transmission shifted three times. The check engine light came on, and when I got home, the car would not go into reverse. The next day, I placed the gear in drive, and pressed the gas; it sounded as if the entire everything would fall out. My transmission has gone out without warning, and I know this is not normal. I now see that there is a transmission problem with these cars. Please make sure that Mitsubishi takes responsibility and compensate us, the consumers. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10021330, filed 2003-06, 90,450 miles

   “My wife was stopped at a traffic light, tried to take off, but nothing. Transmission was gone. Dealer said things sometimes happen. Manufacturer said warranty was out at 60,000mi. Estimate was at $2600. Shop said it could not be rebuilt. They tried to blame on us and said it was over full on fluid. We've never put one drop in and even if it was over full it would not cause transmission to seize up in a matte of seconds. We had the car five months when this happened. I am very angry at the dealership and the mfg. …”

   NHTSA complaint #716108, filed 1999-12
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake noise, vibration and long stopping distance

   • 19 complaints (14%)
   • typically at 2.9 yrs old
   • filed 1996–2001

   Owners describe squealing or grinding when the brakes are applied, steering wheel and pedal vibration, and pedals that sometimes travel to the floor, requiring hard pressure to stop. Several complaints mention repeated rotor and pad replacement and multiple dealer visits, with the dealer sometimes describing the behavior as normal. Some report longer stopping distances at higher speeds. Reported across a wide mileage range, with many at moderate mileage and repeated repairs within short intervals.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Have a shop measure rotor thickness and pad life and check for warping, and ask how often the brakes have been serviced. During the test drive, brake firmly from highway speed on a safe, clear road and note vibration or a low pedal.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Three months after I bought my Mitsubishi Galant I heard a loud screaching noise it souned like metal grinding against metal, and I had to apply the brakes harder than usual for the car to stop. So I took it to the dealer and they had to replace the front rotors and brake pads. Another three months passed and I experienced the same problem, it started to become a trend, almost every 3,000 miles I had to replace my rotors and brake pads. This car is a death trap evertime I drive this car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #708285, filed 1999-07

   “While driving and upon depressing brake pedal to make a normal stop, consumer heard a loud noise coming from brakes. Also, brake pads and rotors have been replaced, and vehicle has been in and out of dealership for brake service. Please provide any further details.”

   NHTSA complaint #885746, filed 2001-04
3. 3
   Suspension

   Front control arm ball joint wear and recall inspections

   • 18 complaints (13%)
   • median 88,762 mi at 8.1 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2010

   Owners describe ball joints and control arms found worn or broken, with some reporting that a dealer inspection under the ball joint recall passed the car before a later failure. Others describe excessive play or corrosion found by an independent shop after a failed inspection. Some complaints focus on confusion over which part was actually inspected or repaired under the recall. Reports cluster from roughly 100,000 miles upward, and several mention the recall by campaign number.

   Recall 00V421001Recall 99V0660012 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the front lower control arm ball joint recall work was completed and keep the paperwork. Have a shop check both front ball joints for play or torn boots and check the control arms for corrosion.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I currently bought the 1996 Mitsubishi Galant for my wife and 11 month old daughter. The dealer told me I needed a front end alignment to get the pull and shake out of my front end. I took it to an alignment shop and the ase master tech. Told me my control arms were bent due to corrosion of the ball joint, he then told me there was a recall on these vehicles and if I don't get the problem fixed it could result in a loss of steering. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10352659, filed 2010-08

   “Dealership examined vehicle for recall 00v421001. Dealership in each communication with consumer changed name of the component that would be repaired for this problem. Consumer was concerned that the part work has been performed on was not the part covered under recall , lower lateral arm ball joint. Please provide any additional information/attachments.”

   NHTSA complaint #893798, filed 2001-08
4. 4
   Air bags

   Airbags did not deploy in a collision

   • 19 complaints (14%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 8.5 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 19 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2004

   Complaints describe frontal and multi-vehicle collisions in which neither the driver nor passenger airbag deployed, and in some cases seat belts did not lock. Owners often say they contacted the manufacturer afterward. These accounts are based on owner descriptions of the crash and do not establish the cause. Reported in crashes at a range of ages and mileages, including one at around 78,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether the airbag system has ever been serviced or had warning lights, and have a shop scan for stored airbag fault codes. Confirm the airbag warning lamp comes on briefly at startup and then goes out.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “A truck dropped some boxes on the freeway. A car stopped suddenly to avoid the boxes, another car hit them, finally we hit that car. It was a 3 car pileup. I was driving and my wife was in the passenger seat. We were the last car in the line and hit at about 45+ MPH. We were in a 1996 Mitsubishi Galant with only 78k miles and we were both wearing our seatbelts. Neither airbag deployed! It was a direct hit right in the front of our car at over 45 MPH. Now my wife may have permanent back pain. I can get the VIN number if you need it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10088286, filed 2004-08, 78,000 miles

   “Consumer has experienced problems with driver's and passenger's side airbags. During a head-on collision in which the consumer was driving 20 MPH, and other vehicle was going 60 MPH, airbags failed to deploy. The manufacturer has been contacted.”

   NHTSA complaint #833269, filed 1999-01
5. 5
   Body and structure

   Rear frame and subframe rust

   • 5 complaints (4%)
   • median 150,000 mi at 11.6 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2007–2012

   Owners describe rust on the frame and rear subframe, in some cases severe enough that a jack pushed through the metal while changing a tire. Complaints mention the rear wheel assembly and strut attachment points being affected, and shops telling owners the corrosion was beyond practical repair. Several say they were told the car was out of warranty and no assistance was offered. Reported mostly from around 130,000 miles upward, typically on older vehicles in rust-belt use.

   What to check: Inspect the rear subframe and the area around the rear jack points and strut towers from underneath for flaking or holes. A pre-purchase inspection on a lift is worthwhile, especially for cars driven in salted-road states.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “- the contact owns a 1996 Mitsubishi Galant. During routine maintenance checks the mechanic discovered rust on the frame under the vehicle in front of each rear wheel. The current mileage was 157000 and the failure mileage was 155000. Updated 2/27/2007 -”

   NHTSA complaint #10181799, filed 2007-02, 155,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 1996 Mitsubishi Galant. While attempting to change a flat tire, the jack went straight through the frame while the vehicle was being lifted. The contact had the vehicle towed to a shop and they informed him that there was excessive rust in the rear subframe. The contact sold the vehicle rather than have it repaired. The failure mileage was 150,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10227632, filed 2008-05, 150,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection covering the transmission, brakes, front ball joints and rear subframe rust is the most useful step with this model year. Ask for service records on transmission and brake work and confirmation that the ball joint recall campaigns were completed.

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.