VehicleVerdict

2003 Mitsubishi Galant problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 167 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.7 times the median Galant year — the 2003 model ranks #8 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 16 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Visibility & Wipers leads the complaint categories with 46 reports (28% of the total).

167

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

2

Investigations

23

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

16

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Galant years?

Galant NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 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, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Galant years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Mitsubishi Galant problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers4628%
Body & Structure2113%
Electrical System2113%
Engine1911%
Brakes148%
Airbags117%
Other106%
Transmission64%
Seats53%
Suspension42%
Fuel System42%
Lighting21%
Latches & Locks11%
Tires & Wheels11%
Speed Control11%
Seat Belts11%

Does the 2003 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.

03V442000Fuel SystemNovember 4, 2003 · 17,087 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE RESTRICTED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN A LEAK IN THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.

Consequence

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

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP PRESSURE. THOSE VEHICLES EXHIBITING HIGHER THAN NORMAL FUEL PUMP PRESSURE WILL RECEIVE FUEL PUMP MODIFICATIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN DECEMBER 3, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037 OR MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-800-981-0452.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 MITSUBISHI GALANT. IMMEDIATELY, AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE THE POWER WINDOW CONTROL MECHANISM WAS ACTIVATED IN THE DOWNWARD POSITION ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THERE WAS A STRONG BURNING SMELL AND A CRACKLING NOISE. SMOKE AND SMALL FLAMES EXPELLED FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · April 21, 2009 · fire

“MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR STARTED SMOKING AND IT MELTED THE WINDOW WIRING AND DOOR LOCK CLICKER AND THE MOTOR IN THE WINDOW AND MELTED THE DOOR A LITTLE BIT. IT SHOULD HAVE BLOWN THE FUSE FOR THE WINDOW BUT IT DIDN'T IT STARTED SMOKING . *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 8, 2007 · fire

“I WAS DRIVING AT 33 MPH ON A MAIN STREET WHEN CAR ON MY RIGHT GOES THROUGH STOP SIGN AND DRIVES INTO MY CAR. HE HIT THE FRONT OF MY CAR NEAR, BUT NOT INCLUDING, THE PASSENGER DOOR. AFTER IMPACT (HE NEVER BRAKE) HE CONTINUED TO MOVE MY CAR WITH HIS THEREBY FOLDING THE FRONT OF MY CAR IN HALF, TAKING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · August 9, 2013 · crash

“AIR BAGS DIDN'T COME OUT WHEN ACCIDENT OCCURRED, THERE IS SMOKE COMING FROM EXHAUST NOT SOMETHING IS EATING THE GAS UP THERE IS LEAKAGE COMING FROM ENGINE, OIL, AND RADIATOR (UNKNOWN AREAS). *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 11, 2014 · crash

“WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THEY FAILED TO RESPOND WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HIT A GUARDRAIL. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED IN AUG OF 2003 AND THE CONSUMER WA TOLD THE ROTORS WERE BAD. THREE MONTHS LATER THE ROTORS WENT BAD AGAIN AND THE DEALER MACHINED THEM AND TWO DAYS LATER THE ACCIDENT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 12, 2003 · crash

2003 Mitsubishi Galant — common questions

Is the 2003 Mitsubishi Galant reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 167 complaints put the 2003 model at #8 of 28 Galant years. It is one of the Galant years to avoid.

What are the most common 2003 Galant problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (46 complaints), body & structure (21 complaints), electrical system (21 complaints).

Does the 2003 Mitsubishi Galant have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Mitsubishi Galant. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2003 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.