Model year record

1997 Mitsubishi Galant

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 110 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.

Owner complaints

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

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint	12	11,000 mi
Air bags: frontal	7	69,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	6	118,925 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline	5	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	5	60,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys	4	50,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc	4	—
Electrical system	3	—
Electrical system: horn	3	—
Power train	3	67,241 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift	3	80,800 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	3	—
Steering	3	—
Engine and engine cooling: engine	2	—
Latches/locks/linkages	2	140,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission	2	—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly	2	—
Structure: body: bumpers	2	—
Suspension	2	—
Suspension: front	2	97,000 mi
Unknown or other	2	67,241 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system	2	—
Air bags	1	375,461 mi
Electrical system: wiring	1	50,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers	1	—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash	1	—
Engine	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly	1	50,000 mi
Equipment	1	—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	1	—
Exterior lighting	1	135,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly	1	60,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly	1	—
Seat belts	1	—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly	1	—
Seats	1	—
Service brakes, air: antilock	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder	1	—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar	1	—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device	1	—
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm	1	—
Steering: rack and pinion	1	—
Suspension: front: control arm	1	—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm	1	169,865 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint	1	—
Suspension: rear	1	—
Tires	1	—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	1	75,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages	1	—

The 1996 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has about 1.5 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.