VehicleVerdict

2001 Mitsubishi Galant problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 211 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.9 times the median Galant year — the 2001 model ranks #4 of 28 Galant years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 28 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (44), airbags (31), and engine (28), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

211

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

1

Investigations

49

Crash-involved

19

Fires reported

28

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Galant years?

Galant NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 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, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Galant years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Mitsubishi Galant problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes4421%
Airbags3115%
Engine2813%
Transmission2210%
Body & Structure178%
Electrical System157%
Fuel System115%
Suspension105%
Speed Control84%
Other52%
Lighting42%
Visibility & Wipers31%
Seat Belts31%
Seats31%
Steering31%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)21%
Tires & Wheels10%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2001 Mitsubishi Galant have recalls?

8 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.

01V069000Fuel SystemMarch 8, 2001 · 192 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A BULGE IN THE FUEL TANK CAUSED BY THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS RESULTED IN THINNING OF THE MATERIAL DURING A WELDING OPERATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF FUEL LEAKAGE.

Consequence

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

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 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 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.

01V005001SeatsJanuary 8, 2001 · 47 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A NUMBER OF INCORRECT DRIVER SIDE SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS WERE INSTALLED INTO VEHICLES.

Consequence

THE REAR ANCHOR BOLTS SECURING THE DRIVER'S SEAT MAY NOT PROPERLY SECURE THE SEAT AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF DRIVER INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS AND THEN REPLACE THE BOLTS IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 15, 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.

00V320001Fuel SystemOctober 27, 2000 · 10,510 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE OUTER LAYER ONLY OF THIS 3-LAYER FUEL RETURN HOSE DOES NOT CONTAIN THE DESIRED OZONE PROTECTION DUE TO A PROCESSING ERROR.

Consequence

THIS HOSE IS CONSIDERED TO BE INADEQUATE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.

00V339000Electrical SystemOctober 24, 2000 · 13,974 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ROUTING OF THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE OF THE REAR SEAT COULD ALLOW THE HARNESS TO CONTACT THE BODY. THE WIRES IN EACH HARNESS CONTROL THE STOP LAMP CIRCUIT, BACK-UP LAMP CIRCUIT, AND THE TURN LAMP CIRCUIT.

Consequence

IF ANY OF THESE WIRES BECOME SHORT-CIRCUITED, THE INTERIOR LAMPS, TURN SIGNAL LAMPS, AND REAR STOP LAMPS COULD STOP WORKING. THIS WOULD FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS TURNING OR BRAKING AND COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE AND SECURE THE HARNESSES AND, IF NECESSARY, REPAIR ANY PRE-EXISTING WIRE INSULATION DAMAGE.

00V299001EngineOctober 2, 2000 · 6,037 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HARNESS FOR THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH A NEW PROTECTIVE SHIELD CAUSING A GROUNDED CIRCUIT.

Consequence

PROLONGED WIRING HARNESS CONTACT WITH THE HEAT SHIELD WILL CAUSE THE WIRING INSULATION TO WEAR AND EVENTUALLY TO GROUND OUT. THIS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO DIE-OUT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HARNESS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“BRAKES & ROTORS CONSTANTLY HAVE TO BE REPLACED. CAR WAS IN AN ACCIDENT 3 TIMES HIT FROM THE FRONT AND AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. ENGINE HAS STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. PROBLEM WITH HORN FUSE. HIGH BEAMS STOPPED WORKING. WHEN ACCELERATING, SOUNDS LIKE ENGINE IS HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING GAS. DOESN'T…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 11, 2002 · crash

“MY CAR WAS STRUCK AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR BY A FORD EXPLORER TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND I WAS THROWN AROUND THE VEHICLE AS I WAS NOT RESTRAINED AT THE TIME (I HAD RETURNED TO THE CAR TO GET INFORMATION FROM THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT). THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 7, 2006 · crash

“THERE IS A MAJOR GAS IN MY CAR. THE SPELL IS THERE 100% OF THE TIME. WHEN YOU COME WITHIN 20 FEET OF THE CAR...YOU GET THE OVERWHELMING GAS SPELL. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR AT ALL NOW. I'M A SINGLE FATHER ON FULL DISABILITY, WITH A 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WITH NO MOTHER. I CAN'T AFFORD THE GAS WHICH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 17, 2014 · fire

“WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE BEGAN SPUTTERING, CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO SEE FLAMES AND SMOKE, THERE WAS A RECALL, C0104C, REGARDING SPARKING IN THE ENGINE WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE, ALSO, TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE WAS FOUND DEFECTIVE, THE FIRES CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT. *SLC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 18, 2001 · fire

“DT: WHILE DRIVING ON THE FOUR LANE HIGHWAY, THE CAR DROPPED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE CAUSING THE CAR TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL. WENT TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND STOPPED IN THE MEDIUM. ALSO THE ENGINE LIGHTS STAYED ON. DID TAKE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS FIX BUT THE LIGHTS STILL ARE ON.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 5, 2005 · crash

2001 Mitsubishi Galant — common questions

Is the 2001 Mitsubishi Galant reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 211 complaints put the 2001 model at #4 of 28 Galant years. It is one of the Galant years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 Galant problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (44 complaints), airbags (31 complaints), engine (28 complaints).

Does the 2001 Mitsubishi Galant have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Mitsubishi Galant. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 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.