2002 Mitsubishi Galant Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 13%of 135 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 112,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant, 13% of the 135 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 112,000 miles. 16 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have a 2002 mitsibushi Galant es and I was involved in a wreck involving 3 autos and I hit the back end of the second car, crushing the grill in toward the radiator, and neither of the airbags deployed. And this was a hard impact. These are put into an automobile to be a safety feature and they failed to work.”
NHTSA complaint #10251126, filed 2008-12, 112,000 miles“My daughter had a front end collision with our 2002 Mitsubishi Galant. A gentleman ran a stop sign and my daughter collided with his vehicle. The front of the Galant hit the side of his driver's do, the Galant received heavy damage and the insurance has claimed it a total loss. The airbags did not deploy. My daughter pulled all the muscles in her back, and she has a bad case of whiplash which she tore all the muscles in her neck requiring physical therapy twice a week.”
NHTSA complaint #10212857, filed 2007-12, 124,000 miles“2002 Galant sustained head-on collision at apx. 45mph. (Galant was stopped and another car ran a stop sign and slammed into the front of it) and the airbags did not deploy. This was mentioned to the repair shop and I was told that the impact was not severe enough , which I found very hard to believe. Now I see that it is a normal occurrence with this poorly designed vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10231827, filed 2008-06“I was involved in an accident that totaled this vehicle. Speed was approximately 65-70mph and the car rolled end to end and landed on its side. None of the airbags were deployed. Myself and my passenger are lucky to be alive. I would like to be contacted by a lawyer.”
NHTSA complaint #758584, filed 2002-02“The contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Galant. The contact stated that while his son was being chased by another motorist at 40 MPH, he lost control of the vehicle as he attempted to brake. The vehicle veered off the road and initially hit a garbage can that ricocheted and broke another vehicle's taillight. The vehicle continued to move forward before it hit both an electrical box and a tree which stopped the vehicle's momentum. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. His son was treated at the scene for the soreness to his chest and back and for other minor cuts and bruises. …”
NHTSA complaint #11477368, filed 2022-08, 131,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10170086Nov 1, 2012This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 | 11% |
| 2010 | 3 | 33% |
| 2009 | 10 | 63% |
| 2008 | 1 | 17% |
| 2007 | 8 | 33% |
| 2006 | 5 | 21% |
| 2005 | 2 | 8% |
| 2004 | 6 | 10% |
| 2003 | 11 | 9% |
| 2002 | 17 | 13% |
| 2001 | 31 | 21% |
| 2000 | 11 | 8% |
| 1999 | 12 | 6% |
| 1998 | 2 | 4% |
| 1997 | 8 | 10% |
| 1996 | 20 | 15% |
| 1995 | 30 | 14% |
| 1994 | 35 | 18% |
| 1993 | 2 | 22% |
| 1992 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant
28 complaintsElectrical system
26 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
21 complaintsBody and structure
19 complaintsEngine cooling
13 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsEquipment
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsWheels
4 complaintsFuel system
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 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