Known Recalls

Model year record

1998 Mitsubishi Galant

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 69 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
Power train: automatic transmission1176,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads5—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor4—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint4104,810 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator2—
Electrical system: ignition2—
Engine and engine cooling: engine2—
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor2—
Structure: body252,000 mi
Suspension255,238 mi
Unknown or other2—
Vehicle speed control2119,955 mi
Air bags152,000 mi
Air bags: frontal1—
Electrical system1—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1—
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Interior lighting1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1—
Seat belts138,000 mi
Seat belts: rear/other1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1—
Steering1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1—
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments1—
Structure: frame and members1—
Suspension: front1135,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1113,200 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint1104,810 mi
Tires1—
Visibility: windshield1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—

The 1997 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1999 model has about a quarter 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.