Model year record

1996 Mitsubishi Galant

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 200 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V421001

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
Manufacturer
MITSUBISHI AMERICA
Vehicles affected
567,432
Reported to NHTSA
2000-12-18
Owners notified
2001-04-02

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V237000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer
MITSUBISHI AMERICA
Vehicles affected
10,000
Reported to NHTSA
2000-08-25
Owners notified
2000-09-25

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V066001

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
Manufacturer
MITSUBISHI AMERICA
Vehicles affected
307,000
Reported to NHTSA
1999-04-05
Owners notified
1999-06-15

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: automatic transmission2490,450 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint1370,524 mi
Air bags: frontal12
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip11
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline9
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components9
Engine and engine cooling: engine890,450 mi
Air bags778,000 mi
Structure: body: door7
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc6
Power train5
Power train: manual transmission5129,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner4
Structure: frame and members4150,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm4
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal4
Visibility: windshield4
Electrical system3
Fuel system, gasoline3
Vehicle speed control3
Visibility: power window devices and controls3
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines2
Power train: axle assembly2
Seat belts2
Seat belts: front: retractor2
Seats2
Service brakes, hydraulic260,000 mi
Structure: body2130,000 mi
Suspension: front2
Tires2
Unknown or other2
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly2
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1
Air bags: side/window1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Electrical system: horn1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash198,600 mi
Engine and engine cooling1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Seat belts: rear/other1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Service brakes, air: controls1
Service brakes, air: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint1
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1
Suspension: front: shock absorber1
Wheels1
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1

The 1995 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.