VehicleVerdict

2002 Mitsubishi Galant problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 175 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.9 times the median Galant year — the 2002 model ranks #7 of 28 Galant years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 21 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (31), electrical system (28), and visibility & wipers (22), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

175

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

2

Investigations

25

Crash-involved

11

Fires reported

21

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Galant years?

Galant NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 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, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Galant years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Mitsubishi Galant problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes3118%
Electrical System2816%
Visibility & Wipers2213%
Body & Structure1911%
Airbags1710%
Engine137%
Other106%
Lighting74%
Tires & Wheels74%
Suspension53%
Steering53%
Fuel System32%
Transmission32%
Seat Belts21%
Seats21%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%

Does the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant have recalls?

3 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.

02V147000Electrical SystemMay 29, 2002 · 3,378 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, ROUTING OF THE VEHICLE'S FRONT HARNESS CAN ALLOW IT TO COME IN CONTACT WITH A ROUGH EDGE, ALLOWING ABRASION. THIS COULD RESULT IN GROUNDED CIRCUITS.

Consequence

THERE COULD BE A LOSS OF STOP OR TURN SIGNAL LAMP OPERATION OR ENGINE HESITATION.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTOR, ELIMINATING ANY HARNESS CONTACT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 8, 2002. 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE, HIT ANOTHER VEHICLLE THEN A CONCRETE BARRIER. SPEED APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 6, 2004 · crash

“RESPONDED TO A VEHICLE FIRE IN A 2002 MITSUBISHI, GALANT ON MARCH 22, 2007. THERE IS NO POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THIS FIRE BUT FROM THE OUTSTANDING RECALL FOR THE WIRING UNDER THE HOOD, RECALL NUMBER NHTSA 02V147000. IT HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR THREE HOURS AND THE AREA OF ORIGIN, IS UNDER THE HOOD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 22, 2007 · fire

“TWO WEEKS AGO OUR CARS? PASSENGER FRONT PANEL STARTED TO SMOKE WITHIN A FEW MINUTES THE ENGINE WAS STARTED. AT THE TIME IT HAPPENED WE DID NOT KNOW WHERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM. WHEN I WENT TO GET CLOSER TO THE SMOKE IT WAS THE PANEL WHERE THE WINDOW AND DOOR BUTTONS ARE. THE SECURITY GUARD IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · December 20, 2007 · fire

“CAR IS EXCEPTIONALLY AERODYNAMICALLY UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE DRIFTS OR WAVERS BACK AND FORTH AT HIGHWAY SPEED. EVEN LIGHT, GUSTY WIND PULLS THE VEHICLE HARD NECESSITATING ABRUPT CORRECTIVE MANEUVERS TO PREVENT SIDE COLLISIONS ON THE HIGHWAY. ON WINDY DAYS, A GUST WILL CAUSE VEHICLE TO SWERVE INTO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 20, 2006

“VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED WHEN REAR-ENDED BY CHEVY SUBURBAN TRAVELING APPROX. 50 MPH. CAR WAS THRUST FORWARD OVER 50 AND STRUCK REAR-END OF PICKUP TRUCK. DRIVER SIDE SEAT BROKE ON IMPACT-CAUSED SEAT TO SLIDE COMPLETELY FORWARD. NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. DRIVER WAS RESTRAINED IN SEAT BELT, BUT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 12, 2004 · crash

2002 Mitsubishi Galant — common questions

Is the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 175 complaints put the 2002 model at #7 of 28 Galant years. It is one of the Galant years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 Galant problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (31 complaints), electrical system (28 complaints), visibility & wipers (22 complaints).

Does the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 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.