Menu

1997 Mitsubishi GalantProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 80 owner complaints about the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant, most often about the suspension. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

64
CarFlaw IndexSolid year45% below the Galant median · #9 of 19 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints8016 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage88kSuspension, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 16, 2023. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant has problems

80 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Suspension180
Power train150
Service brakes, hydraulic121
Electrical system91
Engine and engine cooling90
Steering91
Air bags88
Visibility21
Equipment20
10 other systems142

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1997 Mitsubishi Galant recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Control arm: lower ball joint

Recall 00V-421 · Dec 18, 2000 · 567,432 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mitsubishi.

Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other Galant year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Galant median. How we score

'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1997 Mitsubishi Galant safety ratings

1997 Mitsubishi Galant 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

1997 Mitsubishi Galant frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
1997 Mitsubishi Galant side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Galant owners report

Recent suspension complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I PURCHASED A USED CAR IN 2004. LATER WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE BALLJOINT RECALL, THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO GET INVOLVE IN ASSISTING ME IN PURSUING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I HAD PURCHASED WITH THE CAR REGARDING OTHER CRITICAL ISSUES WITH THE DRIVABILITY OF THE VEHICLE. THIS…
Complaint 10899397 · Aug 30, 2016
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI GALANT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD CONSTANTLY PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A COLLISION SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SHOCK TOWER AND WHEEL WELL WALL WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. METAL WAS WELDED TO REINFORCE…
Complaint 10249371 · Nov 20, 2008 · 97,000 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE IN PIECES. THE VEHICLE IS STEERING TO THE LEFT EXTREMELY BADLY AND THE CONTACT HEARS METAL RUBBING TOGETHER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED…
Complaint 10219998 · Mar 4, 2008 · 78,000 miles

Own a 1997 Galant?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.