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2003 Mitsubishi Galant Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 126 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Mitsubishi Galant, most often about the visibility and wipers (37% of complaints, typically around 71,500 miles). It is 4th of 13 Galant model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2003 Mitsubishi Galant problems
Visibility and wipers
46 complaints · 37%Half of these problems showed up before 71,500 miles. Parts named most often: defroster/defogger/hvac system, windshield wiper/washer, power window devices and controls.
My heat did not work one day. And only works randomly when it wants to. The problem is the heater control valve, which is expensive to replace. Thousands of Mitsubishi owners have this problem. The car is practically new (2003).
My 2003 Mitsubishi Galant has a failed heater control motor. It started going bad over a year ago (clicking noises on actuation) and has finally stopped working altogether. It is stuck on 'cold' and does not switch over to heat under any conditions. On researching this problem, it seems many other people are…
Body and structure
21 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
Black 2003 Mitsubishi Galant es paint is fading and cracking on the roof and trunk of the car. I've noticed through my travels that this seems to be a common problem with galants.
I am an owner of a 2003 Mitsubishi black Galant. I am the original owner of the vehicle and it is garage-kept. About a year ago, I started noticing the paint on my vehicle started to fade/oxidize. I reported this to Mitsubishi and they did nothing. I did my research and there are thousands of other Galant owners that…
Engine
18 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, engine, exhaust system.
Water leaks into the interior cab on the passenger side of car from the air conditioning unit located under the glove compartment. When making a left turn, the water pours inside cab causing water to pool under the carpet. Also wets the wires and has caused the radio to short out so far.
2003 Galant es. V-6 motor. Had to replace heater control valve due to no heat. Clicking noise from time to time then nothing as well as no heat. No sooner did I replace that and then heat selector quit working. Can not change from vents to defrost. Mechanic said heater box warped and cost about 2500.00 to fix this.…
Electrical
17 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 67,500 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, horn.
2003 Mitsubishi Galant 2.4 liter 4 cyl. Symptom: clicking in the dash board. Heat would sometimes work and sometimes not. Clicking stopped about a month ago and so did the heat. Heater control valve or motor is the problem it would seem...a fix of 300-500 dollars just to get heat.
My passenger side door started smoking and it melted the window wiring and door lock clicker and the motor in the window and melted the door a little bit. It should have blown the fuse for the window but it didn't it started smoking .
Brakes
14 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 16,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components.
I have a 2003 Galant that I purchased used at 16000 miles. I have had it for only 6 months and have put 5000 miles on it. Right after I bought it the brakes started squealing pulsing. I took it into the dealership who said there was nothing wrong with the brakes. They continued to get worse so I had them inspect them…
The driver and passenger left /right front side tires are disfunctional when I turn the steering wheel the left and right side I here the bearings popping and the tires also dis functional and the this car is burning a lot of oil the dealer ship where I'm buying it from said everything was working fine the car was…
Air bags
11 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
While driving home from work on friday, 4/20/2007 in my 2003 Mitsubishi Galant; I passed out behind the wheel from improper blood pressure medication causing my blood pressure to become too low. I apparently drove off the road onto a businesses property and struck the signs in the front yard. My insurance company has…
Tl driver owns a 2003 Mitsubishi Galant. While driving 55 MPH, the driver lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle struck an embankment and a power pole before rolling over a couple of times. The vehicle was smashed and dented all over, but the air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The driver…
Transmission
6 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
The transmission is defective. The gears do not connect like they should. Sometimes the gears do not respond at all. The consumer stated that the automatic transmission does not shift smoothly from 2nd to 3rd gear. The vehicle was checked by the dealer but the problem was not fixed.
I have a 2003 Mitsubishi Galant purchased new with 12 miles. I have kept up maintenance on my car and have a manufacturer and extended warranty (bought from the dealer) both covering my car up to 100,00 miles. My car has 91,000 miles. I was driving down the freeway and noticed that my foot was on the gas pedal but the…
Other or unspecified
6 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 94,000 miles.
I have a 2003 Mitsubishi Galant and already the heater is gone in it, I have searched the internet and learned that many others that have this vehicle has the same problem I think Mitsubishi should pay for this defect since we paid money out of a-- to replace thermostat,water hoses,etc and the problem still exist the…
Frequent clogging of A/C drain and drainage into driver side foot hold. The service department is unable to clean drain tube at this point. The car is not parked under or near trees.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 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.
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the fuel pump pressure. Those vehicles exhibiting higher than normal fuel pump pressure will receive fuel pump modifications. The recall began december 3, 2003. Owners should contact mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037 or mitsubishi caribbean at 1-800-981-0452.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel return line hose fitting on the electric fuel pump may be restricted, causing excessive fuel pressure to build up in the fuel injection system. Excessive fuel pressure may result in a leak in the fuel return hose.
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 2003 Mitsubishi Galant
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mitsubishi Galant?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: visibility and wipers (46 complaints, typically around 71,500 miles); body and structure (21 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); engine (18 complaints, typically around 75,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 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 2003 a bad year for the Mitsubishi Galant?
- It is 4th of 13 Galant model years by number of complaints, with 126 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.