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1997 Mitsubishi Galant problems

The most common problem on the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant is suspension. It has 3.3 times the complaints of a typical Galant model year.

Typical year3.3x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
80
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
51
Worst area
Suspension
Fuel economy
20-23mpg

The worst 1997 Mitsubishi Galant problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant

Ball joint 11

Recalls 1

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball jointReported December 18, 2000 · 567,432 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. If the rubber boots on the lower lateral arm ball joints of the front suspension were damaged during assembly, dirt and water can intrude. Also, mmc has added the potential of leaking moisture, which can cause the ball stud to corrode.
Risk
This condition could cause the lower lateral arm ball joint to separate, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. This campaign supercedes mmc's previous safety recall campaign, see 99v‑066.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the lower lateral arm ball joint for wear. Ball joints that exhibit wear beyond the established tolerance will be replaced with newly designed lateral arm ball joints. Ball joints that are within the established tolerance will be cleaned and a special sealant will be applied to prevent intrusion of moisture.

Recall number 00V421001 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant

Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant 51

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 51 bulletins for the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant

1997 Mitsubishi Galant fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.4L 4‑cylFWD19-2126-2822-23
2.5L 6‑cylFWD182420

What 1997 Mitsubishi Galant owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 16, 2023 · Airbags · 375,461 miles · TX · 1 injury

The contact owns a 1997 Mitsubishi Galant. The contact stated that after stopping at a service station, after entering and restarting the vehicle, the driver’s, and passenger’s side air bags independently deployed. The contact stated that the windshield on the passenger side was cracked by the air bag. The contact stated he was injured by the driver's side air bag. The contact stated that he suffered deep abrasions on his nose and his lips were bruised. The contact stated that his glasses fractured, and his right eye was bruised. The contact was transported to an emergency room by ambulance. The contact stated that the vehicle was left at service station. The police were not contacted. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 375,461.

Filed Aug 30, 2016 · Suspension · CA

I purchased a used car in 2004. Later when I brought it in to the dealership for the balljoint recall, the dealership refused to get involve in assisting me in pursuing the extended warranty that I had purchased with the car regarding other critical issues with the drivability of the vehicle. This vehicle should have been jumked which I eventually ended up doing. The vehicle was very dangerous to drive on the freeway and I only drove it on city streets only. The dealership I believe should have given me a loaner car insead of me risking myself in a dangerous vehicle. The wynn's extended warranty should have returned the vehicle to the original dealer when I purchased the vehicle. The dealer should have assisted me more in pursuing the correct repair of this vehicle which should have been salvaged from a previous accident. Right now I am out of $1000 warranty and a vehicle purchased at $5000. You will have to hold the warranty wynn;s or the business that sold me the vehicle responsible. This business tried to weld the transmission casing broken in the accident back which I later found out at another repair shop. This doesn't look good for the reputation of the company or the brand. Any recourse do I or the federal safety agency have against the manufacturer. The dealer is out of business

Filed Oct 18, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · MN

I was at a stop sign and I pressed on the gas, all of a sudden the car just stopped moving. I put the car in park, shut it off, turned it back on, shifted it into drive, and it would not move, it seemed like it was stuck in neutral. It has not moved ever since.

Filed Dec 15, 2009 · Locks · 150,000 miles · MS

Defective rear door lock assemblies; both sides. I have replaced with other used parts and those parts consistently failed too. I have found four assemblies, on other used galants, and they have all failed. I am aware that new parts would have been ideal, however I believe that if these parts were manufactured to mitsubishi's usually high standards, they would have been fine.

Filed Jun 11, 2009 · Locks · 140,000 miles · FL

Door latches have flown open or unlatched by them selves while driving on both rear doors. The rear door do not stay closed anymore. Passengers could have fallen out of the vehicle.

Filed Dec 11, 2008 · Seat belts · VA

I have a 1997 mitsubishi galant. The seatbelt on the driver's side will not stay locked. It comes off when I am driving down the road. I called two mitsubishi dealers in virginia beach and they told me that this was not covered under any warranty. I thought seatbelts lasted the lifetime of the car. Can you tell me how to go about getting this fixed. I have two children who ride with me daily and would hate for an accident to happen and my kids have to witness their mom go through the windshield due to unsafe seatbelt.

Filed Nov 20, 2008 · Suspension · 97,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 mitsubishi galant. While driving various speeds, the vehicle would constantly pull to the right. The vehicle was taken to a collision shop and they stated that the passenger side front shock tower and wheel well wall was completely rusted. Metal was welded to reinforce the shock tower. Approximately two years later, the front driver's side shock tower and wheel well wall rusted through with more extensive damage. The current mileage was 107,000 and failure mileage was 97,000.

Filed Aug 19, 2008 · Lights · 135,000 miles · OR

Left turn signal switch stuck on flashing and would not shut off after canceling.

Filed Mar 4, 2008 · Suspension · 78,000 miles · VA

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 mitsubishi galant. The contact stated that the lower ball joints were in pieces. The vehicle is steering to the left extremely badly and the contact hears metal rubbing together. The dealer stated that the vehicle was no longer under warranty and the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 00v421001 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). The purchase date and VIN were unknown. The current mileage was 85,000 and failure mileage was 78,000. Updated 03-25-08 *bf the failure was not obvious to spin investigation until 84,000 failure happened in a parking lot at low speed. Updated 03/25/08

Filed Feb 4, 2008 · Suspension · 169,865 miles · PA

Took my 1997 mitsubishi to cherry hill triplex dealership and was told that I needed my front lateral arms replaced; that they were about to fall off. I've only had the car for a year; that's not damage I could do in a year. I want to request that mitsubishi covers the cost or reimburses me for this significant defect.

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Compare the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant

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Questions about the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant

Is the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant reliable?

Owners have filed 80 complaints about the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant, 3.3 times a typical Galant model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant?

Suspension, with 18 complaints. Next is transmission (15).

How many recalls does the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant have?

1 recall, covering suspension.

Was there a recall on the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant suspension?

Yes, 1 recall: 00V421001. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Mitsubishi Galant have bad suspension?

The Mitsubishi Galant model years with the most suspension complaints are 1995 (69 complaints), 1994 (57 complaints) and 1999 (26 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant get?

Official estimates for the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant range from 20 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.4L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 19-21 city and 26-28 highway.

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