Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:heater Core (16.7% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:heater Core complaints here are 5.8× the median for that category across the 409 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:heater Core | 21 · 16.7% | not available | — |
| Electrical System | 11 · 8.7% | not available | — |
| Structure:body | 11 · 8.7% | not available | — |
| Structure | 10 · 7.9% | not available | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System | 9 · 7.1% | not available | — |
| Visibility | 9 · 7.1% | 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.
Percentages are the share of the 126 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.
NHTSA campaign 03V442000 · 2003 · reported 11/04/2003
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
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
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.
“I JUST BOUGHT A 2003 MITSUBISHI GALANT AND THE HEATER CONTROL MOTOR HAS GONE BAD. IT'S GOING TO COST ABOUT $450.00 TO GET IT FIXED.”NHTSA complaint 10229886 — filed 06/04/2008 · VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
“I HAVE A 2003 MITSUBISHI GALANT, AND I HAVE DONE RESEARCH THOROUGHLY ON THE MITSUBISHI AND IT SEEMS THAT THIS CAR WAS MADE TO HAVE…”NHTSA complaint 10219353 — filed 02/27/2008 · VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
“I HAVE A 2003 MITSUBISHI GALANT V6. IN THIS CAR I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE HEATING SYSTEM IN THE CABIN. IT SEEMS THIS IS…”NHTSA complaint 10213030 — filed 12/28/2007 · VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:heater core issues are the most-reported category, cited in 21 of 126 NHTSA complaints (16.7%), followed by electrical system (11), structure:body (11), structure (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
126 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 15 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, and 13 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 03V442000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
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.
