Mitsubishi Galant Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Mitsubishi Galant model year (1999–2012) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Mitsubishi Galant Years to Avoid
5 recalls · 135 complaints
11 reported injuries
3 reported deaths
Top issue: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
Problem score: 187
4 recalls · 115 complaints
11 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Problem score: 149
5 recalls · 99 complaints
13 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
Problem score: 140
Best Mitsubishi Galant Years to Buy
0 recalls · 8 complaints
Main area: ENGINE
Problem score: 8
0 recalls · 6 complaints
Main area: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 8
1 recall · 8 complaints
Main area: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 11
Found the right year? Verify that specific Galant with a free VIN report.
Mitsubishi Galant — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 0 | 6 | 1 | — | 8 | Excellent |
| 2011 | 0 | 4 | 13 | — | 30 | Good |
| 2010 | 1 | 8 | — | — | 11 | Excellent |
| 2009 | 0 | 11 | 1 | — | 13 | Excellent |
| 2008 | 0 | 8 | — | — | 8 | Excellent |
| 2007 | 1 | 18 | 5 | — | 31 | Good |
| 2006 | 1 | 19 | 3 | — | 28 | Good |
| 2005 | 2 | 13 | 1 | — | 21 | Good |
| 2004 | 0 | 38 | 1 | 1 | 45 | Good |
| 2003 | 3 | 73 | 6 | — | 94 | Caution |
| 2002 | 2 | 82 | 11 | — | 110 | Caution |
| 2001 | 4 | 115 | 11 | — | 149 | Avoid |
| 2000 | 5 | 99 | 13 | — | 140 | Avoid |
| 1999 | 5 | 135 | 11 | 3 | 187 | Avoid |
All 14 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Mitsubishi Galant Shopping Guide by Era
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder Galant models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Galant should I avoid?+
Avoid the 1999 Mitsubishi Galant if possible. It has 5 recalls, 135 owner complaints, and 3 reported deaths. The overall problem score is 187 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Galant to buy?+
The 2008 Mitsubishi Galant is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 8. It has only 0 recalls and 8 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Galant has the fewest problems?+
The 2008, 2012, 2010 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Mitsubishi Galant Research
Check a Specific Mitsubishi Galant VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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