1998 Mitsubishi Galant Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 23%of 53 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 76,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Mitsubishi Galant, 23% of the 53 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 76,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“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“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“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“In june of 2002, auto transmission solenoid pack failed at 74,000 miles. Was replaced by authorized repair shop (not under warranty). Shop flushed transmission and found metal shavings in the fluid. Less than one month later (august 15, 2002) transmission failed completely at 78,000 miles. Transmission replaced completely at 78,000 miles. Dt”
NHTSA complaint #768721, filed 2002-10Related service bulletins
- 10170074Aug 28, 2015This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170071Jul 22, 2015This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170096Mar 5, 2013This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170100Feb 6, 2013This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170086Nov 1, 2012This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 | 11% |
| 2010 | 1 | 11% |
| 2009 | 1 | 6% |
| 2007 | 1 | 4% |
| 2006 | 1 | 4% |
| 2004 | 3 | 5% |
| 2003 | 6 | 5% |
| 2002 | 3 | 2% |
| 2001 | 20 | 13% |
| 2000 | 3 | 2% |
| 1999 | 16 | 7% |
| 1998 | 12 | 23% |
| 1997 | 15 | 19% |
| 1996 | 36 | 26% |
| 1995 | 29 | 14% |
| 1994 | 25 | 13% |
| 1992 | 23 | 59% |
| 1991 | 39 | 62% |
| 1990 | 9 | 43% |
| 1989 | 4 | 21% |
| 1987 | 2 | 22% |
Other parts of the 1998 Mitsubishi Galant
12 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Mitsubishi Galant
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology