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Mitsubishi GalantModel year report

1998 Mitsubishi Galant Problems

Complaints
53filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
100,705miles, 12 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
23 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl FWD · 20 city / 27 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 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 transmission problems, including shifting trouble, metal in the fluid, and sudden failure, along with brakes that wear early or shake when braking. Lower ball joint failures, some tied to a recall covering the ball joint boots, and sudden stalls or loss of power steering also come up. Where mileage is given, the reports fall between about 50,000 and 150,000 miles.

  1. Transmission and drivetrain

    Transmission shifting badly, metal in fluid, or failing

    • 9 complaints (17%)
    • median 76,000 mi at 6.0 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2000–2005

    Owners describe the transmission not shifting properly, sluggish or noisy operation, gears being skipped, and in some cases the car sticking in one gear or locking up in traffic. Some shops reported metal shavings in the fluid or oil pan, and in some cases a solenoid pack or the whole transmission had to be replaced. According to complaints, a salesman or dealer sometimes said the shifting was normal or found nothing wrong, and the problems continued afterward. Where mileage is recorded, it falls between about 70,000 and 100,000 miles, but some owners describe shifting trouble from early in ownership.

    What to check: Ask for records of transmission service, fluid changes, and any solenoid or transmission replacement, and check that the car shifts smoothly through all gears during a test drive.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “When you start the car it makes a load noise until fully heated, and the transmission is pulling and making noise, it gets stuck in gear and will not move to next gear, just stalls and then kicks in. First it was just skipping gears for the last five days so I checked the fluid it only could use not even a half of court, I had no warning light at all until the sixth night when it got stuck in gear and steering to change.”

    NHTSA complaint #10145140, filed 2005-12, 96,600 miles

    “While driving the vehicle the first day of purchase I noticed the transmission was not shifting properly. I asked the salesman what that was he told me that's just the way the car runs. A few months later I was still having the same problem I called the dealer and made a big stink about it and they told me to bring it in. I did, they told me there was nothing wrong with my transmission. I was still having problems and took it to a independent mechanic. Who dropped the pan and found metal shavings, not a lot. …”

    NHTSA complaint #763534, filed 2002-06
  2. Suspension

    Lower ball joints failing or breaking, with a recall

    • 7 complaints (13%)
    • median 133,770 mi at 6.5 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2001–2011

    Owners describe lower ball joints failing or coming loose, leading to a tire detaching, steering becoming very difficult or impossible at low speed, and in some cases a crash. Some complaints say the ball joints had already been replaced or repaired before a recall notice arrived, and some owners asked for reimbursement. According to complaints, the manufacturer extended warranty coverage for the part in some cases. Complaints that state mileage place these between about 55,000 and 150,000 miles, and some describe the failure at low speed, such as 20 to 25 mph.

    Recall 00V421001

    What to check: Ask whether recall 00V421001 for the lower ball joint boots has been completed, and have the lower ball joints inspected for damage, corrosion, or looseness.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The consumer's daughter had difficulty with the steering which ended up on the opposite side of the road crashing into an embankment. 3 years after accident, consumer received a recall notice on lower ball joints that could lead to loss of steering. The consumer's daughter was injured and feels that the dealer should be responsible for damages. Recall#00v421001.”

    NHTSA complaint #10060994, filed 2004-02, 55,238 miles

    “In november 2003, while driving between 20 to 25 MPH, front passenger tire fell off, vehicle was towed to independent mechanic, who determined that ball joints failed. In april 2004 consumer received a recall letter notice concerning ball joint problem.”

    NHTSA complaint #10067260, filed 2004-04, 104,810 miles
  3. Brakes

    Brake pads and rotors wearing early or grinding

    • 14 complaints (26%)
    • median 119,955 mi at 15.3 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
    • filed 1998–2013

    Owners describe brakes grinding or grabbing, and pads, shoes, or rotors wearing out much sooner than expected. Some complaints describe repeat replacements soon after repairs, rotors resurfaced again and again, and a brake warning light staying on. Some owners say the manufacturer resisted covering early brake replacement. Mileage is not recorded for these complaints, and the wear is described as early in the vehicle's life.

    What to check: Ask for brake service records and check the pads, shoes, and rotors for wear and grinding, and confirm that the brake warning lights are off.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “We have been leasing the vehicle and brought the vehicle in four times because of grinding of brakes, and three times they have replaced them. The last time the brakes wore out completly, and only had them fix three months prior t that. We feel that it is a safety hazard to our lives and others and afraid to drive because it seems that three months bringing it back for brakes only 11500 miles on them, something is wrong somewhere.”

    NHTSA complaint #707114, filed 1999-06

    “At 41,500 miles I had a basic front brake job performed on my car due to the steering wheel shaking severely while braking. Approximately 6 months later I had the rotors resurfaced due to the steering wheel shaking severely while braking. Approximately 7 months after that I had the rotors resurfaced again due to the steering wheel shaking severely while braking. I have contacted Mitsubishi for reimbursement to have this problem fixed and they stated that they will not since it is not a safety issue . It is. …”

    NHTSA complaint #753847, filed 2001-10
  4. Brakes

    Steering wheel or brake pedal shaking when braking

    • 5 complaints (9%)
    • typically at 2.0 yrs old
    • filed 1999–2001

    Owners describe the steering wheel shaking, sometimes severely, when the brakes are applied, often with squealing and a sense that the front rotors are misshapen. Some complaints say the shaking returned after the rotors were replaced or resurfaced. Some owners say the manufacturer declined to reimburse repeated brake and rotor work. Mileage is not recorded for these complaints, and the shaking is described during braking, including while slowing from about 30 to 40 mph.

    What to check: Ask whether the front rotors have been measured for warping or thickness variation, and whether the shaking has returned after earlier brake work.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “When applying brakes, the steering shakes. Brake shoes and rotors are worn out at 19,000 miles (very premature); brake light comes on constantly in vehicle - replace w/ brake fluid, wheels screech when making a slow turn - Mitsubishi was contacted and they are giving a hard time about replacing the brakes w/19,000 miles.”

    NHTSA complaint #742295, filed 2001-03

    “Lights dim frequently at night took to dealer, dealer replaced alternator under warranty. Problems still persist. Also tires squeel unusualy loud when taking turns at normal speeds. Brakes shake when applied. Strongly considering trading in for other brand of car. Will never by Mitsubishi ever again!”

    NHTSA complaint #710100, filed 1999-08
  5. Engine cooling

    Sudden engine stalling or loss of power assist

    • 8 complaints (15%)
    • median 96,600 mi at 8.2 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
    • filed 1998–2013

    Owners describe the engine stalling or quitting suddenly, sometimes at highway speed and with smoke from under the hood. In some cases the loss of power also meant power steering and power brakes stopped working, and a complaint links the problem to a broken crankshaft pulley. According to complaints, a cracked radiator, a broken pulley, or a transmission problem was identified in some cases, and some repairs were refused as outside warranty. Mileage is rarely recorded for these, and the stalls are described as sudden, often with no warning beforehand.

    What to check: Ask for records of cooling system, pulley, and engine fault repairs, and check that the engine idles steadily with no warning lights on during a test drive.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Car started stalling at low speeds, had transmission filter changed, found a lot of metal in fluid. Drove car 500 more miles before losing reverse and overdrive. Transmission unable to run at 71,000 miles.”

    NHTSA complaint #10051088, filed 2003-12, 70,987 miles

    “While driving at 30 MPH vehicle lost steering control. Vehicle was taken to a independent repair shop, and informed that problem was due to a broken crankshaft pulley. Manufacturer was notified ,and informed consumer that vehicle was out of its warranty and not cover under a recall. Feel free to provide any further details on this matter.”

    NHTSA complaint #889920, filed 2001-06

Buying note. Someone considering this model year may want to ask for transmission service records and check the front rotors and lower ball joints during an inspection, and ask whether recall 00V421001 for the ball joint boots has been completed. Transmission shifting complaints form the largest group in this sample, so a test drive that checks smooth shifting through all gears is a practical step.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 39 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 53 consumer complaints for the 1998 Mitsubishi Galant. 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 8% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 100,705 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 14 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: Vehicle speed control (2), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2), Exterior lighting (1), Interior lighting (1), Tires (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “I started to have problems with the car earlier in the year and had brought the car to two different locations to see if it was the brakes because that is what I thought it was at first. The car would not move properly after I had stopped at a signal light or a stop sign, it had felt as if the brakes were still on when I pushed my foot on the gas pedal, yet the car would stand still. Another time when we were slowing for a corner at around 5mph, the car had jerked back and forth until I had gave it gas and it worked out fine. Some days the car was fine and other days the car would act up. …”

NHTSA complaint #728758, filed 2000-08

Transmission and drivetrain: “I was told by the dealer that this part was not covered because the warranty had expired. I found out today that this was covered at the time the dealer told me it couldn't be repaired under the warranty.”

NHTSA complaint #763402, filed 2002-06

Suspension: “The contact owns a 1998 Mitsubishi Galant. The contact stated that the front passenger side lower ball joint failed. The contact stated that the nut that held the lower ball joint became loose and detached, causing the lower ball joint failure. The vehicle had been repaired three times prior for the same exact failure. The manufacturer extended the warranty for the part for a lifetime however, the contact believed the failure to be an extreme safety issue because the part would become loose very easily. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 150,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10427210, filed 2011-09, 150,000 miles

Electrical system: “Lights dim very frequently at night. The alternator was replaced. Problem is still present. Taken to be fixed 3 times, could not be fixed. This was reported to dealer within a month of purchase of the vehicle. They have done nothing. Mitsubishi has been notified and are currently looking into the problem. The cause is still unknown.”

NHTSA complaint #712592, filed 1999-09

Mileage when problems were reported

8% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 70,987 and 119,955 miles.

0%0–100%10–258%25–5025%50–7517%75–10042%100–1508%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (12 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 100,705 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

19991120012003200520082013
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 1998 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 rated4 / 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 1998 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 FWD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed manual202723$2,900
Galant FWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed automatic192622$3,050

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 1998 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. 14 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 14 bulletins →

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 1998 Mitsubishi Galant?

Owners of this model year most often describe transmission problems, including shifting trouble, metal in the fluid, and sudden failure, along with brakes that wear early or shake when braking. The issues reported most often: Transmission shifting badly, metal in fluid, or failing; Lower ball joints failing or breaking, with a recall; Brake pads and rotors wearing early or grinding.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 Mitsubishi Galant have?

NHTSA recorded 53 consumer complaints for the 1998 Mitsubishi Galant as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1998 Mitsubishi Galant is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 12 complaints (23% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 12.

Has the 1998 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 1998 Mitsubishi Galant get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Mitsubishi Galant (Galant, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 20 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1998 Mitsubishi Galant reported?

Among the 12 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 100,705 miles and the middle half falls between 70,987 and 119,955 miles; 8% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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.