Model year record

1998 Mitsubishi Galant

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 69 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
Power train: automatic transmission	11	76,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads	5	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc	4	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	4	—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint	4	104,810 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator	2	—
Electrical system: ignition	2	—
Engine and engine cooling: engine	2	—
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor	2	—
Structure: body	2	52,000 mi
Suspension	2	55,238 mi
Unknown or other	2	—
Vehicle speed control	2	119,955 mi
Air bags	1	52,000 mi
Air bags: frontal	1	—
Electrical system	1	—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline	1	—
Exterior lighting: headlights	1	—
Interior lighting	1	—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft	1	—
Seat belts	1	38,000 mi
Seat belts: rear/other	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist	1	—
Steering	1	—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump	1	—
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments	1	—
Structure: frame and members	1	—
Suspension: front	1	135,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm	1	113,200 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint	1	104,810 mi
Tires	1	—
Visibility: windshield	1	—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer	1	—

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.

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.