Known Recalls

Model year record

1997 Mitsubishi Galant

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

Mitsubishi Galant, 1994–1998 generation
Pictured: the 1994–1998 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

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.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint1211,000 mi
Air bags: frontal769,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission6118,925 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline5—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor560,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys450,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc4—
Electrical system3—
Electrical system: horn3—
Power train367,241 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift380,800 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip3—
Steering3—
Engine and engine cooling: engine2—
Latches/locks/linkages2140,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission2—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly2—
Structure: body: bumpers2—
Suspension2—
Suspension: front297,000 mi
Unknown or other267,241 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2—
Air bags1375,461 mi
Electrical system: wiring150,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1—
Engine1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly150,000 mi
Equipment1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Exterior lighting1135,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly160,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly1—
Seat belts1—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1—
Seats1—
Service brakes, air: antilock1—
Service brakes, hydraulic1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1—
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Suspension: front: control arm1—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1169,865 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint1—
Suspension: rear1—
Tires1—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal175,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—

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.

Other Mitsubishi Galant model years

201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998199719961995199419931992199119901989198819871986

All Mitsubishi Galant recalls by year

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.