Mitsubishi Galant Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Mitsubishi Galant model year (1999–2012) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, injuries, and deaths. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Mitsubishi Galant Years to Avoid
6 recalls · 237 complaints
19 reported injuries
1 reported death
Top issue: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Problem score: 298
8 recalls · 167 complaints
24 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 239
7 recalls · 149 complaints
17 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Problem score: 204
Best Mitsubishi Galant Years to Buy
0 recalls · 6 complaints
Main area: STRUCTURE
Problem score: 6
0 recalls · 9 complaints
Main area: WHEELS
Problem score: 11
0 recalls · 3 complaints
Main area: AIR BAGS,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES
Problem score: 13
Found the right year? Verify that specific Galant with a free VIN report.
Mitsubishi Galant — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 0 | 9 | 11 | Excellent |
| 2011 | 0 | 3 | 13 | Excellent |
| 2010 | 1 | 9 | 18 | Excellent |
| 2009 | 0 | 16 | 24 | Excellent |
| 2008 | 0 | 6 | 6 | Excellent |
| 2007 | 1 | 24 | 39 | Good |
| 2006 | 1 | 24 | 31 | Good |
| 2005 | 3 | 26 | 37 | Good |
| 2004 | 1 | 61 | 71 | Good |
| 2003 | 3 | 139 | 181 | Caution |
| 2002 | 3 | 142 | 194 | Avoid |
| 2001 | 8 | 167 | 239 | Avoid |
| 2000 | 7 | 149 | 204 | Avoid |
| 1999 | 6 | 237 | 298 | Avoid |
Higher scores indicate more reported safety issues across recalls, complaints, and injury data.
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. Confirm all historical recalls have been completed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Galant should I avoid?+
Avoid the 1999 Mitsubishi Galant if possible. It has 6 recalls, 237 owner complaints, and the most common complaint category is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC. The overall problem score is 298 — 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 6. It has only 0 recalls and 6 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Galant has the fewest problems?+
The 2008, 2012, 2011 model years have the fewest documented problems across recall and complaint databases. 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.
Run a Free VIN Report →