On jan. 9, 2013, while I was backing up my mitsubishi galant 1998 (VIN # [xxx]) in my driveway, I noticed that the car started moving on its own and I had to keep my foot on the brake. After backing up, when I drove forward, my car seemed to be quite jumpy and wanted to lurch forwards. At a traffic light about half a mile from home, while I was stopped, I noticed that the car started moving forwards. I immediately slammed hard on the brake. This was extremely unusual and scary. Later while going down a hill, I could sense that the car was again quite jumpy and wanted to accelerate on its own. I stopped at a shop for something and then when I got back to the car and turned on the engine again, I noticed that the "check engine" light had just come on. I felt that the car was not safe and had it towed to klahanie chevron in issaquah, wa, very close to my house. I was later informed by them that the ??idle control motor?? For my car was malfunctioning and due to this I was experiencing all these car ??jumpiness?? Issues. The ??idle control motor?? Was replaced and now the car appears to be running fine. I have always been more than up to date with my car maintenance. The behavior of this car in which the car was accelerating on its own is dangerous and mitsubishi engineers should look into this for possible recall\remediation, since this can greatly endanger the lives of people in the car and anybody else sharing the road at that time. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
The worst 1998 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.
- Brakes12
- Transmission12
- Suspension8
- Electrical5
- Engine4
- Body3
- Acceleration2
- Airbags2
- Seat belts2
- Steering2
- Visibility2
- Lights1
- Tires1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Mitsubishi Galant
Recalls 1
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
- 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
Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Mitsubishi Galant 34
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew...
- This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers
- This TSB contains troubleshooting steps for diagnosis of various customer complaints relating to the audio...
- This is an index of Tech Talk newsletter articles released in 2012.
- This Technical Service Bulletin updates the door adjustment procedure in the Body Section of the...
- Obd-ii drive cycle
- Information on crankshaft identification marks - service manual revision
- Subject regarding corrected air conditioner magnetic clutch service procedures
- Subject regarding power steering pump replacement
1998 Mitsubishi Galant fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L 4‑cyl | FWD | 19-20 | 26-27 | 22-23 |
What 1998 Mitsubishi Galant owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 mitsubishi galant. The contact stated that the front passenger side lower ball joint failed. The contact stated that the nut that held the lower ball joint became loose and detached, causing the lower ball joint failure. The vehicle had been repaired three times prior for the same exact failure. The manufacturer extended the warranty for the part for a lifetime however, the contact believed the failure to be an extreme safety issue because the part would become loose very easily. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Lower lateral arm ball joint broke caused my car to crash into a parked vehicle as I was driving at a low rate of speed.
Lower control arm was found to have a problem upon inspection by a mechanic.
The black paint on my 1998 mitsubishi galant es has worn off in an a typical pattern. The paint has come off in a grid-like fashion - as though a giant acidic tire has rolled over it. It is effecting the roof, hood and trunk area of the car. I have noticed other mitsubishi galants (and eclipses) of the same year with similar paint peeling problems.
When you start the car it makes a load noise until fully heated, and the transmission is pulling and making noise, it gets stuck in gear and will not move to next gear, just stalls and then kicks in. First it was just skipping gears for the last five days so I checked the fluid it only could use not even a half of court, I had no warning light at all until the sixth night when it got stuck in gear and steering to change.
The black paint on my 1998 mistubishi galant es has worn off in an a typical pattern. The paint has come off in a grid-like fashion - as though a giant acidic tire has rolled over it. It is effecting the roof, hood and trunk area of the car. I have noticed other mistubishi galants (and eclipses) of the same year with similar paint peeling problems.
In november 2003, while driving between 20 to 25 MPH, front passenger tire fell off, vehicle was towed to independent mechanic, who determined that ball joints failed. In april 2004 consumer received a recall letter notice concerning ball joint problem.
Ball joints were replaced prior to consumer receiving the recall notice. *ph the consumer request reimbursement for the repairs.
The consumer's daughter had difficulty with the steering which ended up on the opposite side of the road crashing into an embankment. 3 years after accident, consumer received a recall notice on lower ball joints that could lead to loss of steering. *la the consumer's daughter was injured and feels that the dealer should be responsible for damages. Recall#00v421001.
Compare the 1998 Mitsubishi Galant
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Questions about the 1998 Mitsubishi Galant
Is the 1998 Mitsubishi Galant reliable?
Owners have filed 52 complaints about the 1998 Mitsubishi Galant, 2.2 times a typical Galant model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Mitsubishi Galant?
Brakes, with 12 complaints. Next is transmission (12).
How many recalls does the 1998 Mitsubishi Galant have?
1 recall, covering suspension.
What year does the Mitsubishi Galant have bad brakes?
The Mitsubishi Galant model years with the most brakes complaints are 1999 (96 complaints), 1995 (35 complaints) and 2001 (33 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1998 Mitsubishi Galant get?
Official estimates for the 1998 Mitsubishi Galant range from 22 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.3L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 19-20 city and 26-27 highway.
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