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2002 Mitsubishi Galant Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 135 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant, most often about the brakes (21% of complaints, typically around 23,500 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Galant model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2002 Mitsubishi Galant problems
Brakes
28 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 23,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
Car brought in for service. Brake pulsation,second time,left front wheel. Car is under 3 year 36,000 warranty. Car has 23,472 miles,warranty good till feb 27th,2005. Dealer says I need brake pads,inside pads are worn paper thin,outside pad is half life. This is the second time I brought this vehicle in for same…
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 was from driving habits; nothing wrong with brakes. Had to take vehicle to private mechanic. Also, problems with air conditioning. Hot air blows out…
Electrical
26 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 87,500 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, instrument cluster/panel, horn.
While driving 60 MPH consumer heard a loud noise coming from under the hood and then the engine commenced to make a popping noise. Vehicle was pulled off the freeway, and then pulled to consumer's home. Consumer stated one of the spark plugs blew out. Dealer and the manufacturer were not notified.
1. Purchased "as is" in daylight hours, did not notice interior lights did not function. 2. Interior lights and trunk light do not function. This is a permanent condition. 3. Using ohmmeter, interior light filaments checked, trunk light filament checked. All ok. No voltages measured at inputs to all. Fuses all ok.…
Visibility and wipers
21 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 76,000 miles. Parts named most often: defroster/defogger/hvac system, power window devices and controls.
I purchased my 2002 Galant in august 05. When I first turned the dial to heat, it made a "clicking" sound and then started blowing warm air. I noticed that every time I turned the heating/cooling dial it made the "clicking" sound. In april 2006, the "clicking" sound quit and so did the heat. I took the car to a…
2002 mitshubishi Galant- heat stopped working at 75,000 miles. When turning on heat car began making a "gargling" noise and then eventually stopped working all together. A/c works fine just the heat will not come on!
Body and structure
19 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
I bought my car brand new (02 mits. Galant - black) and the paint and clear coat has been fading. It started on the trunk in a small spot and now has spread to the roof and hood. I was told by mits. That there are no recalls, therefore they aren't able to assist me since I now have over 100,000 miles on the car. I was…
2002 Mitsubishi Galant has a paint defect that is seen in every black Galant that is seen on the road. The manufacturer denies any responsibility. In addition the vehicle loses hub caps constantly. This can also be seen in almost every Galant on the road manufactured around those years.
Air bags
17 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 112,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
I have a 2002 mitsibushi Galant es and I was involved in a wreck involving 3 autos and I hit the back end of the second car, crushing the grill in toward the radiator, and neither of the airbags deployed. And this was a hard impact. These are put into an automobile to be a safety feature and they failed to work.
The contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Galant. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, another vehicle crashed into his passenger side at a high speed. The airbags did not deploy during the crash. The driver suffered injuries to the knee and chest, and the passenger suffered injuries to the chest. A…
Engine
13 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 83,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, engine, exhaust system.
I purchased my vehicle used from a dealership here locally, and have had problems with it ever since I bought it in late may of 2007, my brakes have started to squeak, I overheated due to either a faulty water pump and/or thermostat, and I have noticed that the steering pulled slightly to the right, and I put new…
On my 2002 Mitsubishi Galant with the 3.0 liter engine, the heat occasionally fails to provide warm air. The fan works, the car is at a normal running temperature, and all hoses are warm. The heater control motor is failing. The part is cheap but you have to remove most of the dash board to replace it. The dealer…
Lights
7 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: turn signal, headlights, fog lights.
1. Purchased "as is" in daylight hours, did not notice interior lights did not function. 2. Interior lights and trunk light do not function. This is a permanent condition. 3. Using ohmmeter, interior light filaments checked, trunk light filament checked. All ok. No voltages measured at inputs to all. Fuses all ok.…
Instrument panel lights don't come on. Fuses all ok, switches ok, reostat ok. Could be bulbs behind instrument panel - or circuit board. Can't drive at night -can't see the instrument panel. Interior lights ok. Blinker lights ok but won't turn off after making turn. Can't get information from Mitsubishi on what it may…
Other or unspecified
7 complaints · 5%Steering-car pulled to the right -remedy, tech said steering wheel off center, adjusted and cross rotated front tires. Brakes-grinding -remedy, tech said caliper supports were faulty, replaced supports and turned rotors, they would not replace rotors. Other-hood was not secure in hood latch, bounced up and down.…
I have a 2002 Mitsubishi Galant, the knob that controls the air temperature in the car used to make a clicking noise when being turned from cold to hot & vice versa, it stopped making that noise and now I no longer have heat. I have searched the internet high & low and have found lots of complaints that this is a well…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Mitsubishi Galant recalls
Equipment: labels
Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
Fix: Mitsubishi caribbean will mail a customer notification letter containing a written description and a graphic of the bi-lingual dashboard air bag warning label. In addition, all current 2000-2004 nativa owners will also receive replacement air bag alert labels for the sun visors. This recall is expected to begin during march or april 2005. The notification to the nativa owners is expected to begin during april or may 2005. Owners should contact mitsubishi caribbean at 1-787-251-8715.
Full defect summary
Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, 'occupant crash protection.' the bilingual english/spanish removable air bag warning labels affixed to the dash and to the sunvisor do not meet the size requirements of the standard.
Electrical: front underhood
Risk: There could be a loss of stop or turn signal lamp operation or engine hesitation.
Fix: Dealers will install a protector, eliminating any harness contact. Owner notification began july 8, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, routing of the vehicle's front harness can allow it to come in contact with a rough edge, allowing abrasion. This could result in grounded circuits.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Passenger door fire
Summary
In response to this investigation, mitsubishi motors north america (mmna) initiated a special program on july 31, 2009, to extend the warranty coverage on model year (my) 2001-2003 galant vehicle passenger side window switches to 10 years or 120,000 miles, whichever comes first.notification of this special coverage program to all registered vehicle owners is scheduled to begin in late-september 2009.owners who have experienced a problem with the power window switch (blown fuse, intermittent operation or power window malfunction) or who spilled liquids or beverages onto the front passenger door window switch will be entitled to have the switch replaced and any related repairs performed at no
Passenger door fire
Summary
Complaints allege that a fire erupted in the front passenger door.in mitsubishi's response to odi's march 12, 2008 information request, mitsubishi asserts that the alleged defect may occur when large amounts of liquids, more than 100cc (3.4 oz), like a soft drink were spilled directly over the power window switch area, all at once and at one time.mitsubishi found that as the liquid dries off, electrolytes and carbonized particles accumulate between the terminals in the power window switch and become a conductive material.as a result, the switch may start to heat up and melt or ignite the plastic components.however, mitsubishi also asserts that the alleged defect is very rare and that burning
Questions about the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (28 complaints, typically around 23,500 miles); electrical (26 complaints, typically around 87,500 miles); visibility and wipers (21 complaints, typically around 76,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 1, 2004 (equipment). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Mitsubishi Galant?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Galant model year since 2000, with 135 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.