2000 Mitsubishi Galant Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about exterior paint that fades or develops white oxidation spots, and about the turn signal, wiper and headlight switches in the steering column. Many complaints also describe stalling, blown fuses and battery cable trouble, plus cooling and brake work at higher mileage. Reports span the whole life of the car, with paint and switch complaints often appearing in the first several years and stalling reports tending to come in after 100,000 miles.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Paint fading, oxidation spots and peeling clear coat

   • 21 complaints (15%)
   • median 73,650 mi at 5.3 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • filed 2003–2009

   Owners describe white, gray or rust-colored spots spreading across the hood, roof and trunk, most often on black cars, sometimes with the clear coat peeling down to bare metal. Several say the paint faded within a few years of new purchase despite garage storage, washing and waxing. According to the complaints, dealers sometimes repainted specific panels and other times declined or offered only partial coverage. Mostly reported between roughly 30,000 and 110,000 miles, often within the first several years of ownership and concentrated on black cars.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Inspect the hood, roof, trunk and around the sunroof for chalky patches, blistering or exposed metal, especially on black cars. Ask whether any panels have been repainted and keep expectations realistic about cosmetic condition.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2000 Galant and about seven months after I purchased the car the clear coat on the paint started pelling on the driver side, and the front and rear bumper, I did not know that a car that new was suppose to have paint defects. Now my car is only five years old, but I have only had the car for two years and it looks as if it is over ten years old and was never taken care of. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10118769, filed 2005-05, 35,000 miles

   “I am very disgusted, I purchased my 2000 mitusbishi Galant approximately a year and a half ago, I was my car weekly and wax my vehicle every 4 to 5 months, about 6 months ago my car started getting oxidation spots, I have a huge spot on the hood, all across the trunk and even on the hood of the car, it is really disgusting and throughout my town I have seen approximately 5 or 6 other black galants with the same problems to their paint! …”

   NHTSA complaint #10132185, filed 2005-08, 90,620 miles
2. 2
   Exterior lighting

   Turn signal, wiper and headlight switch failure

   • 16 complaints (12%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 7.2 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2010

   Complaints describe turn signal levers that become loose, snap off or hang by their wires, and wiper or headlight functions that stop working or behave erratically, such as headlights going out when the signal is used. Several owners say the dealer determined their vehicle's identification number fell outside a related safety campaign and that repairs would be at their own expense. Some report repeat failures after an earlier switch replacement. Reported from roughly 37,000 to 144,000 miles, with many cases in the 60,000 to 110,000 mile range.

   Recall 99V305001

   What to check: Work the turn signal, high beam and wiper levers through every position and watch the headlights while signaling. Ask whether the column switch has been replaced and whether any related campaign applied to the vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The consumer stated that while turning, the signals failed intermittently. Recall 99v305001 was issued. However, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. When the consumer used the turn signal, the high beam light would turn on and was difficult to turn off and the signal would not be indicated.”

   NHTSA complaint #10092530, filed 2004-11, 64,000 miles

   “The lever that controlled the lights and turn signal was loose . This defect was recalled by the manufacturer. The repair was done in 2000, now the problem exist again. Owner has contacted the manufacturer and was told that this problem cannot be corrected again under the recall. Now the owner has to pay out of pocket. The over all problem with the turn signal switch has not completely been resolved. Provide further details. Consumer was charged for repairs.”

   NHTSA complaint #10092418, filed 2004-10, 34,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Stalling, blown fuses and battery cable trouble

   • 15 complaints (11%)
   • median 124,000 mi at 10.0 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2017

   Owners describe the car dying while driving, sometimes with the dash lights flashing on, followed by a no-start that needs a tow. Complaints mention blown fuses, a replaced ignition switch, a failed battery cable wiring harness and, in a few cases, smoke or a burning smell from the front of the vehicle. One owner also reports an immobilizer fault after an engine computer replacement. Mostly reported between about 47,000 and 212,000 miles, with several cases above 100,000 miles.

   Recall 99V3330012 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask about any history of stalling, repeated fuse failures or ignition switch replacement, and have the battery cables and charging system inspected. Check that all warning lights come on and go out normally on a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I own a 2000 Mitsubishi Galant. For the last two months, I have been in and out of the repair shop. I am not a mechanic; however, I know that there is a problem in the electrical system. While driving, the car will just stop in the middle of the road. When it occurs, it will not start and has to be towed in. The first two times, the mechanic replaced the blown fuse. The last time, the ignition switch was replaced because the dealer said that it was bad. I thought that was the end until last night. The same thing has happened again. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10360761, filed 2010-10, 212,600 miles

   “Car was shut off at work for about 30 - 50 minutes when the horn started to blare for no reason -- no alarm installed. Opened car door and electrical burning smell was present. Had to pull fuse to get it shut off. Vehicle was locked and empty at time.”

   NHTSA complaint #10152453, filed 2006-03, 47,800 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Cooling system and temperature gauge fluctuation

   • 9 complaints (7%)
   • median 90,148 mi at 5.9 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2004–2014

   Complaints describe the temperature gauge needle swinging continuously while driving, with a dealer attributing it to a radiator that needed replacement. Owners also report stalling at speed and, in a few cases, timing belt or chain failure that left the car unable to run. Some mention air conditioning that stops cooling once the car gets hot. Reported from roughly 69,000 to 230,000 miles, with most cases above 80,000 miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Watch the temperature gauge on a long test drive, check coolant level and condition, and ask for records of radiator, water pump and timing belt service.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Timing belt and values for the Mitsubishi galants need to be looked over to see if it's a recall problem because mine went out on me, and also I know of another person with a Mitsubishi Galant had the same thing happen to them.”

   NHTSA complaint #10100325, filed 2004-11, 81,000 miles

   “Dt: contact stated the computer sensors failed. This could affect the catalytic converter and cause air pollution. Did not think the public was made aware of the recalls. Two sensors failed asked Mitsubishi to fix them, and they refused because there was no recall. They were only guaranteed for 3 three years or 36,000 miles.”

   NHTSA complaint #10132120, filed 2005-08, 84,000 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake noise, rotor warping and leaking wheel cylinders

   • 15 complaints (11%)
   • median 48,768 mi at 5.3 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2007

   Owners describe squealing and dragging noises, front rotors that warp and need resurfacing or replacement repeatedly, and rear wheel cylinders that leak fluid onto the shoes. Some complaints mention brakes that felt like they would not stop the car and calipers associated with intermittent wheel lockup. According to the complaints, dealers sometimes said nothing was wrong or replaced the same parts more than once. Reported from about 24,000 to 82,000 miles, with several cases under 50,000 miles.

   What to check: Have the brakes pulled and inspected for fluid seepage at the rear wheel cylinders and for rotor condition, and ask whether the rotors have been replaced or machined more than once.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On july 1, 2003, we purchased a used 2000 mistibushi Galant from colonial mitibushi in danbury, conn. On july 2, we reported to them the brakes did not feel right. It was slipping. They rub it off and told us before we purchase the car, the car went through a great inspection and nothing was wrong. July 4, my husband was on his way to work when he realized that the brakes would not stop the car on the highway. He finally coasted until he was able to exit the highway and used the shift panel to stop the car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10030703, filed 2003-08, 33,600 miles

   “Had wheel cylinders replaced -- left rear in 2004 and right rear in dec 2005. Went for oil change today and asked the mechanic to pull of rear wheels because the brakes didn't feel right to me. Right rear was soaked in brake fluid and left rear had just started to leak. Right rear had also started to seize up due to brake fluid coating the shoes. Wheel cylinders shouldn't fail after only 4 months -- and even 2 years seems like it is a short period of time. Have had other cars and never had this issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10155006, filed 2006-04, 48,768 miles

Buying note. On this model year, cosmetic paint condition and the steering column switches are the things owners complain about most, so inspect both closely and ask about service history. A pre-purchase inspection covering brakes, cooling and the battery cables is worthwhile given the mileage these cars now carry.

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.