VehicleVerdict

2000 Mitsubishi Galant problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 183 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.2 times the median Galant year — the 2000 model ranks #6 of 28 Galant years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 21 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (30), electrical system (26), and body & structure (26), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

183

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

0

Investigations

17

Crash-involved

30

Fires reported

21

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Galant years?

Galant NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 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, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Galant years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Mitsubishi Galant problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine3016%
Body & Structure2614%
Electrical System2614%
Brakes2011%
Lighting2011%
Airbags116%
Steering105%
Tires & Wheels84%
Visibility & Wipers74%
Other63%
Suspension53%
Speed Control42%
Fuel System42%
Transmission32%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)21%
Seat Belts11%

Does the 2000 Mitsubishi Galant have recalls?

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

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

04V428000OtherSeptember 1, 2004 · 100,432 units

Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Consequence

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy

MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.

01V295001SteeringSeptember 25, 2001 · 25,803 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH V6 ENGINES TO FEDERAL EMISSION STANDARDS. THE POWER STEERING FLUID FEED TUBE CAN COME IN CONTACT WITH AN EXHAUST MANIFOLD MOUNTED HEAT SHIELD CAUSING A HOLE TO BE WORN THROUGH THE POWER STEERING PIPE ALLOWING FLUID LEAKAGE.

Consequence

LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID CAN RESULT IN A FIRE AND CONTINUED LOSS OF FLUID WILL RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER ASSIST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING TUBE WITH ONE HAVING A NEW ROUTING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 26, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AMERICA AT 1-800-222-0037.

01V011001TransmissionJanuary 16, 2001 · 277,227 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. A HOSE WAS MIS-MANUFACTURED AND COULD WEAKEN OVER TIME, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID.

Consequence

FLUID LEAKAGE FROM THE COOLER HOSES CAN CAUSE TRANSAXLE DRIVEABILITY PROBLEMS AND SMOKE IF THE OIL CONTACTS THE FRONT EXHAUST PIPE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOSE ASSEMBLY FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER. OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING WILL BE PHASED OVER A FIVE-MONTH PERIOD STARTING MARCH 26, THROUGH JULY 23, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

00V225001SteeringAugust 10, 2000 · 228,294 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A NUT IN THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED, RESULTING IN SYMPTOMS RANGING FROM STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION TO STIFF STEERING, AND IN THE WORST CASE, NO ABILITY TO TURN LEFT.

Consequence

A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY IF A LOOSE NUT CONNECTION IS FOUND.

99V333001Electrical SystemNovember 23, 1999 · 19,179 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES AND FEDERAL EMISSION EQUIPMENT. THE BATTERY CABLE HARNESS CAN BECOME HEAT DAMAGED BY THE FRONT EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH COULD CAUSE GROUNDED CIRCUITS.

Consequence

THIS CIRCUIT FAILURE COULD CAUSE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TO OCCUR: (1) THE ENGINE WILL NOT START BECAUSE THE MAIN FUSE WILL BLOW IF THE POWER LEAD IS GROUNDED; (2) THE LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE IF THE SIGNAL WIRE IS GROUNDED; (3) THE AIRCONDITIONING SYSTEM WILL BECOME INOPERATIVE IF THE LEAD TO THE MAGNETIC CLUTCH IS GROUNDED; AND (4) THE TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD LAMPS WILL BECOME INOPERATIVE IF THE VOLTAGE MONITOR LEAD IS GROUNDED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND DISCARD A METAL MANIFOLD BRACKET (FROM GALANT MODELS ONLY - ECLIPSE HAS NO SUCH BRACKET). DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE HARNESS. IF THE HARNESS WIRES SHOW NO DAMAGE, THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A HEAT INSULATOR ALONG WITH HEAT RESISTANT HARNESS CLIPS. IF THE HARNESS WIRES DO SHOW DAMAGE, THE DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HARNESS WITH PREINSTALLED INTEGRAL HEAT PROTECTION.

99V305001Visibility & WipersNovember 1, 1999 · 98,817 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE COLUMN SWITCH LEVERS CAN BECOME LOOSE OR BREAK OVER TIME.

Consequence

LOOSENING OR CRACKING OF THE LEVERS CAN CAUSE DIRECTIONAL LAMPS THAT DO NOT SELF-CANCEL OR OPERATE, HEAD LAMPS THAT DO NOT TURN OFF, WINDSHIELD WASHERS THAT OPERATE CONTINUOUSLY AND/OR WINDSHIELD WIPERS THAT DO NOT OPERATE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED SWITCH.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WHILE DRIVING NOTICE SMOKE IN REARVIEW MIRROR. WITHIN 1/4 MILE LOST ALL BRAKES, ALL READ WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. ENGINE STOPPED AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 16, 2001 · fire

“WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY. 50 MPH DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD,.ATTEMPTED TO PULL OVER, BUT BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE. DRIVER HAD TO PUMP BRAKES IN ORDER TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP.DRIVER GOT OUT OF VEHICLE AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE, BURNING GRASS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 10, 2000 · fire

“(1) MINOR FRONT BUMPER IMPACT WAS TO BE REPAIRED UNDER AN INSURANCE CLAIM (2) IN TEARDOWN PROCESS FOUND SPOT WELDS THAT WERE RUSTED OUT AND IMPROPERLY SEALED. THIS WAS DETERMINED TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT - NATURE OF ACCIDENT WOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED DAMAGE TO APRON AREA. AS THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 15, 2005 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY. 50 MPH DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD,.ATTEMPTED TO PULL OVER, BUT BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE. DRIVER HAD TO PUMP BRAKES IN ORDER TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP.DRIVER GOT OUT OF VEHICLE AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE, BURNING GRASS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 10, 2000 · fire

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED. HE ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE BULB AND NOTICED THAT THE SOCKET WAS MELTED. LAST YEAR, THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. THE MECHANIC REMOVED THE SOCKET, BUT DID NOT STATE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · July 1, 2006 · fire

2000 Mitsubishi Galant — common questions

Is the 2000 Mitsubishi Galant reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 183 complaints put the 2000 model at #6 of 28 Galant years. It is one of the Galant years to avoid.

What are the most common 2000 Galant problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (30 complaints), electrical system (26 complaints), body & structure (26 complaints).

Does the 2000 Mitsubishi Galant have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Mitsubishi Galant. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.