VehicleVerdict

1994 Mitsubishi Galant problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 284 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 8.0 times the median Galant year — the 1994 model ranks #3 of 28 Galant years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 4 deaths and 24 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across suspension (66), airbags (42), and transmission (26), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

284

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations

46

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

24

Injuries

4

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1994 compare to other Galant years?

Galant NHTSA complaints by model year, 1994 highlighted296 complaints1985: 0 complaints1986: 6 complaints1987: 9 complaints1988: 7 complaints1989: 20 complaints1990: 32 complaints1991: 78 complaints1992: 43 complaints1993: 11 complaints1994: 284 complaints1995: 296 complaints1996: 200 complaints1997: 110 complaints1998: 69 complaints1999: 296 complaints2000: 183 complaints2001: 211 complaints2002: 175 complaints2003: 167 complaints2004: 68 complaints2005: 34 complaints2006: 37 complaints2007: 31 complaints2008: 9 complaints2009: 23 complaints2010: 12 complaints2011: 7 complaints2012: 11 complaints
Galant NHTSA complaints by model year, 1994 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Galant years to avoid →

What are the most common 1994 Mitsubishi Galant problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension6623%
Airbags4215%
Transmission269%
Brakes217%
Engine186%
Body & Structure155%
Electrical System145%
Tires & Wheels124%
Steering124%
Visibility & Wipers114%
Lighting114%
Seat Belts93%
Latches & Locks72%
Speed Control62%
Other52%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)52%
Seats31%
Fuel System10%

Does the 1994 Mitsubishi Galant have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E055000Fuel SystemJuly 26, 2007 · 222 units

Defect

CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLIES, P/N E7081H, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WALL OF THE FLARED FITTING OF THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT THICK ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE MATING THREADED FITTINGS FROM BOTTOMING OUT BEFORE AN ADEQUATE SEAL IS ACHIEVED. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION OF THE VEHICLE FUEL LINE AND THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLY.

Consequence

IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AIRTEX AUTOMOTIVE AT 800-880-3056.

00V421001SuspensionDecember 18, 2000 · 567,432 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, DIRT AND WATER CAN INTRUDE. ALSO, MMC HAS ADDED THE POTENTIAL OF LEAKING MOISTURE, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE BALL STUD TO CORRODE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS CAMPAIGN SUPERCEDES MMC'S PREVIOUS SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN, SEE 99V-066.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT FOR WEAR. BALL JOINTS THAT EXHIBIT WEAR BEYOND THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEWLY DESIGNED LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS. BALL JOINTS THAT ARE WITHIN THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE CLEANED AND A SPECIAL SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED TO PREVENT INTRUSION OF MOISTURE.

99V066001SuspensionApril 5, 1999 · 307,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, DIRT AND WATER CAN INTRUDE.

Consequence

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

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RUBBER BOOTS, AND IF THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THEY WILL REPLACE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM AND BALL JOINT ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.

98V212000LightingSeptember 8, 1998 · 17,079 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. WHEN THE STOP LAMP SWITCH WAS ASSEMBLED, GREASE WAS INADVERTENTLY APPLIED TO THE CONTACT POINT. THIS CAN CAUSE THE CONTACT POINT TO HEAT UP CAUSING INTERNAL OPERATION ELEMENTS TO MELT ALLOWING THE SWTICH TO BECOME STUCK IN ON OR OFF POSITION.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY AND REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“RECALL 99V066001. BALL JOINT SEPARATED FROM STEERING KNUCKLE, CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL AND CAUSE DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. UNDER THE RECALL, DEALER ONLY REPLACED ONE OF THE BALL JOINTS, AND THE OTHERS CAUSED THE COLLISION. DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WILL REPLACE THE OTHER BOOT AS STATED IN THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · October 1, 2000 · crash

“CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION DRIVING AT 20 MPH, AND WAS FORCED INTO TWO OTHER CARS HEAD-ON. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. ALSO, CAR WAS TOTALED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 20, 2000 · crash

“AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DISENG, ONTO A CLOVER-LEAF, AND WERE BEGINNING TO MERGE ONTO A JUNCTIONING INTERSTATE. THE TRAFFIC WE WERE MERGING INTO WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (APPX 70MPH,) AND WE WERE ALMOST REAR-ENDED WHEN THE CAR DISENGAGED FROM DRIVE AND BEGAN COASTING AND SLOWING DOWN. THIS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 26, 1999

“THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN A REAR END ACCIDENT. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOTALED WITH NO EXPLANATION OF WHY THE BRAKES FAILED.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 4, 2005 · crash

“THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THE HARMONIC BALANCER HAS BROKEN AND CAUSED THE LOWER PULLEY TO BECOME DISENGAGED FROM THE ENGINE CAUSING A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. DEALERS & SERVICE STATIONS IDENTIFY THIS AS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT IDENTIFY IT AND HAS NO RECORD OF HOW MANY TIMES THIS HAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 12, 2002

1994 Mitsubishi Galant — common questions

Is the 1994 Mitsubishi Galant reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 284 complaints put the 1994 model at #3 of 28 Galant years. It is one of the Galant years to avoid.

What are the most common 1994 Galant problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (66 complaints), airbags (42 complaints), transmission (26 complaints).

Does the 1994 Mitsubishi Galant have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1994 Mitsubishi Galant. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1994 Mitsubishi Galant under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mitsubishi Galant years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Galant years to avoid are 1999, 1995, 1994, 2001, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2003, 1997, 1991, 1998, 2004. The cleanest record among Galant years belongs to 1985.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.