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Electrical systemPart report

2003 Mitsubishi Galant Electrical system Problems

Complaints
17about this part
Share
13%of 126 total for the year
Median mileage
67,500miles
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 electrical system of the 2003 Mitsubishi Galant, 13% of the 126 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The problem started about a year ago. The constant rattling sound behind the dashboard when you first turn on the heat. After about 10-15 secs it stops. Then eventually the rattling sound stops completely when you turn on the heat and so does the heat and the defroster. I lost heat the first time back around december of 2008. It came back on within two weeks and stayed on during the winter. Around the first of may, I lost heat again and it has not been back on since.”

NHTSA complaint #10272409, filed 2009-05, 80,000 miles

“The horn which is part of the airbag stayed on when I used my keyless entry remote to lock the car. I had to hit the horn button in the steering wheel to make it stop. The horn once again became stuck the next day when I honked my horn on the freeway to prevent a car from colliding with me as they tried to switch lanes. I could not get the horn to shut off this time and had to pull over to pull out the fuse. I plugged in the fuse when I arrived home and the horn came right back on. I then used a rubber mallet to tap around the horn button and steering wheel which finally stopped the horn. …”

NHTSA complaint #10712563, filed 2015-04, 111,126 miles

“I purchased a used 2003 Mitsubishi Galant from a large used-car dealership. On the next day, the horn sounded off spontaneously while sitting in the driveway overnight and would not turn off, requiring me to pull the fuse in order to stop the sound. The used car dealership discussed the issue with a Mitsubishi dealer, who advised them to replace the horn and the horn relay. They did so, but the horn once again went off spontaneously while sitting in the driveway just over a week later. …”

NHTSA complaint #10166204, filed 2006-08, 24,800 miles

“A few months ago the radio started staying on even while the key was pulled completely out, then the horn fuse had to be pulled because while sitting in our garage and the car not running, and hadn't been running for 12 hours, the horn started blaring, until my husband could disconnect the battery, then while driving home one evening in the rain, I had the wipers and headlights on the wipers would not shut off, even when put in the off position. They would not shut off until I shut the headlights off. …”

NHTSA complaint #10156948, filed 2006-05, 48,000 miles

“In 2007, horn would just blow on it's own at random times. Even though the battery was only one year old at the time, I replaced it again. Last week, 8/09/08 the horn just started blaring again while driving. It nearly caused an accident due to another car swerving out of the lane next to my vehicle and into my rear driver's side quarter-panel. Since the first instance, there seems to be electrical problems, as the radio and clock always reset, the trip odometer resets to zero, and the interior lights do not work. There are no blown fuses, and no damage to the electrical system. …”

NHTSA complaint #10238826, filed 2008-08, 45,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2012111%
2010111%
2008117%
2006938%
200528%
200447%
20031713%
20022619%
2001139%
20002115%
19992110%
1998611%
1997911%
199664%
1995157%
1994137%
1992410%
1991914%
199015%
198915%

Other parts of the 2003 Mitsubishi Galant

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
46 complaints
Body and structure
21 complaints
Engine cooling
16 complaints
Brakes
14 complaints
Air bags
11 complaints
Other or unknown
6 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
6 complaints
Seats
5 complaints
Equipment
4 complaints
Fuel system
4 complaints
Suspension
4 complaints
Engine
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 Mitsubishi Galant

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.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology