VehicleVerdict

1996 Mitsubishi Galant problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 200 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.6 times the median Galant year — the 1996 model ranks #5 of 28 Galant years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 32 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (39), brakes (35), and suspension (23), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

200

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

37

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

32

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1996 compare to other Galant years?

Galant NHTSA complaints by model year, 1996 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, 1996 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Galant years to avoid →

What are the most common 1996 Mitsubishi Galant problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission3920%
Brakes3518%
Suspension2312%
Airbags2111%
Engine2010%
Body & Structure137%
Visibility & Wipers95%
Electrical System84%
Speed Control74%
Seat Belts53%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)42%
Steering42%
Tires & Wheels42%
Seats32%
Fuel System32%
Other21%

Does the 1996 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.

00V237000Fuel SystemAugust 25, 2000 · 10,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CRACKS CAN OCCUR IN THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK DUE TO AN IMPROPER SPOT WELD ON THE BAFFLE PLATE TO THE TOP PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK.

Consequence

A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK COULD ALLOW FUEL OR FUMES TO ESCAPE. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE UPPER SURFACE OF THE FUEL TANK FOR ANY SIGNS OF CRACKING. IF NO CRACKING OR LEAKING IS FOUND, DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SEALING PROTECTOR PLATE. IF ANY CRACKING OR LEAKAGE IS FOUND, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“CAR WAS RUNNING IN PARK; MY 8 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER GOT IN CAR; I WAS STANDING RIGHT OUTSIDE OF CAR; SHE CLIMBED INTO THE FRONT OF CAR TO RETRIEVE AN OBJECT, HER FOOT WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN THE DRINK HOLDER AND THE GEAR SHIFTER; CAR WENT INTO REVERSE WITH MY DAUGHTER INSIDE AND CRASHED INTO A MAILBOX; THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 6, 1999 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE HIT A BRICK WALL. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES TO THE BACK. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 6, 2003 · crash

“RECALL RECEIVED ON BALL JOINT, BALL JOINT BOOT. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CHECKED IT AND SAID IT WAS OK ON 7/28/00. ON 9/4/00 THE BALL JOINT BROKE, CAUSING THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL TO TURN SIDEWAYS AND CAUSING A CRASH. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · September 4, 2000 · crash

“CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS. DURING A HEAD-ON COLLISION IN WHICH THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 20 MPH, AND OTHER VEHICLE WAS GOING 60 MPH, AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 9, 1999 · crash

“THE OIL DIPSTICK INDICATED EMPTY ONE WEEK AFTER THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE SAME THING HAPPEN AGAIN AFTER A WEEKS DRIVING. CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND EXPLAINS THE VEHICLES PERFORMANCE AND THE PROBLEM THAT HE WAS EXPERIENCING, THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR ONE WEEK AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine

1996 Mitsubishi Galant — common questions

Is the 1996 Mitsubishi Galant reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 200 complaints put the 1996 model at #5 of 28 Galant years. It is one of the Galant years to avoid.

What are the most common 1996 Galant problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (39 complaints), brakes (35 complaints), suspension (23 complaints).

Does the 1996 Mitsubishi Galant have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1996 Mitsubishi Galant. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1996 Mitsubishi Galant under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation 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.