CarModelProblems.com

2002 Mitsubishi Galant Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor — runs 2.1× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
135Complaints
3Recalls
21Crashes
10Fires
19Injured
1Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor (10.4% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor complaints here are 2.1× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor14 · 10.4%not available
Electrical System13 · 9.6%RecalledRecall 02V147000
Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:heater Core13 · 9.6%not available
Structure:body11 · 8.1%not available
Air Bags:frontal10 · 7.4%not available
Engine And Engine Cooling8 · 5.9%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR14 · 10.4%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM13 · 9.6%
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE13 · 9.6%
STRUCTURE:BODY11 · 8.1%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL10 · 7.4%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING8 · 5.9%
Unspecified / other7 · 5.2%
STRUCTURE7 · 5.2%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC7 · 5.2%
AIR BAGS7 · 5.2%

Percentages are the share of the 135 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 3 campaigns

Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

NHTSA campaign 02V147000 · 2002 · reported 05/29/2002

THERE COULD BE A LOSS OF STOP OR TURN SIGNAL LAMP OPERATION OR ENGINE HESITATION. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment:other:labels

NHTSA campaign 04V428000 · 2004 · reported 09/01/2004

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 09E025000 · 2009 · reported 05/11/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“SINCE PURCHASE OF 2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH SQUEAKING BRAKES, ROTORS REPLACED TWICE SINCE PURCHASED 7/05. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT SQUEAKING…”NHTSA complaint 10191859 — filed 05/28/2007 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
“I CONTINUE TO BATTLE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. THE CAR IS TYPICALLY USED WITH ONE OCCUPANT AND NO OR VERY LITTLE (20LBS…”NHTSA complaint 10159827 — filed 06/14/2006 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
“MY MITSUBISHI G IS A 2002. I BOUGHT IT 2/2004 FROM CARMAX! NOT EVEN 3 MONTHS INTO DRIVING MY CAR, I'VE HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS WHICH…”NHTSA complaint 10141122 — filed 10/28/2005 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

28200418262006261420081642010372012122014212016112022

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant?

Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor issues are the most-reported category, cited in 14 of 135 NHTSA complaints (10.4%), followed by electrical system (13), visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:heater core (13), structure:body (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant have?

135 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 21 involved a crash, 10 involved a fire, and 19 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.

Does the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant have any recalls?

Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 02V147000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.