2002 Mitsubishi Galant: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Oct 24, 2012 · Electrical · WA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi galant. The contact stated that while exiting the vehicle she noticed a burning smell. After returning to the vehicle an hour later there was smoke being emitted from the passenger side front door. The fire was extinguished and the wires were cut to prevent further thermal events. The vehicle was able to be driven to the contact's residence and was not taken to a mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the issue. The failure and current mileages were 129,250. The VIN was not available.

Filed Feb 29, 2012 · Electrical · 136,000 miles · FL · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi galant. The contact stated that the front passenger door caught on fire as the contact started the vehicle and opened the front passenger window. The fire department was notified of the failure. The contact separated the passenger door panel and poured water in the panel to stop the fire. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 136,000.

Filed Apr 10, 2009 · Fuel system · CA · crash · fire · 1 injury

I crashed my 2002 mitsubishi galant... I wanted to know if the same recall that was done on the 2003 mitsubishi galant could also be for the 2002 because my car caught on fire.

Filed Feb 10, 2009 · Electrical · 98,000 miles · NH · fire · 1 injury

Son was driving home from college and the passenger side door caught on fire as he was leaving the parking lot. He immediately pulled over and put out the fire burning the tips of his fingers.

Filed Jan 2, 2008 · Electrical, Visibility · NY · fire

Two weeks ago our cars? Passenger front panel started to smoke within a few minutes the engine was started. At the time it happened we did not know where the smoke was coming from. When I went to get closer to the smoke it was the panel where the window and door buttons are. The security guard in our building had a flashlight and saw the top part of the panel was melting, he was able to lift the melting plastic and inside the door the smoke and flames were. The fire extinguished and we pulled the fuse. Now we have no power windows on all so we are driving without the ability of opening the windows. Thank god we were not on the highway when it started. I called mitsubishi and they told me there were no recalls for this problem yet on your site there were two others with the same problem. Since it?s passed the warranty time they are not responsible to pay for the damages. I do understand the insurance company will pay for it but since I have a deductible of $500 I must pay for it. Mitsubishi customer service said if the insurance company finds the piece to be a defect, they would need to put in a claim for it. I don?t understand why a car of only 5 years old had this problem. I also have other problems to mention since when I looked at this site I too have a problem with clicking sound when I put on the heater. Sometimes the heater doesn?t work. This could have been a tragic situation. Does someone have to die for these problems to get fixed. I am now worry since I also have another car the same make , model and year. Please inform me what else I need to do to solve this problem. Thank you.

Filed Jun 7, 2006 · Electrical · MI · fire · 1 injury

2002 mitsubishi galant passenger side door caught on fire locking the windows and doors. *kb when the fire erupted it burned the right leg of the passenger. The passenger also sprained her right ankle trying to break out the window.

Filed Dec 14, 2005 · Electrical · 60,000 miles · FL · fire

Dt: the contact stated while driving noticed smoke coming from underneath the front right panel. After he pulled over and exited the vehicle a fire erupted from the front right passenger door panel. The contact said it looked like a wire shorted out which caused the speaker to catch on fire. Upon inspection by the dealer, they concluded the fire was cause by a short in the wiring.

Filed Aug 12, 2005 · Electrical · 64,895 miles · MI · fire · 1 injury

Dt: on 7-11-05 the vehicle caught on fire. Driver and passenger drove on and off all day. The front passenger door burst into flames. The doors automatically locked, and the windows rolled up and down on their own. Doors would not open. The driver was able to kick the door open. Both passengers exited through the driver's side. After exiting the vehicle the passenger got a gallon of water to put the fire out. When she poured water onto the passenger's door the fire went out, but there was still smoke coming from the door. The fire was coming from the front passenger's side area and smoke was coming from the heating vents. Prior to the fire, the vehicle overheated with the heater off. On the day of the incident when she got a cd out of the stereo it was too hot to hold. After the incident the cd in the stereo was wet. The driver was not injured. The passenger had to be hospitalized, and was under treatment for depression and anxiety. There was a court petition to have her hospitalized in the forensic ward. Police transported her to another hospital and had security guards escort her. The passenger sustained second degree burns on her leg. She contacted mitsubishi and the insurance agency. *ak

Filed May 1, 2004 · Brakes · 100 miles · CA

I bought my galant in october of 2002, the first year I had the car I had to take it in for the brakes squeaking and grinding four times. Each time the dealer said that there was nothing wrong, and sent me back home. I was told that it was my fault that my brakes were bad because of how I drive. I only had the car for a couple weeks when my brakes started squeeking and grinding the first time. I contacted mitsubishi, and was told that there was nothing wrong with my vehicle, and that they were not going to fix the problem. I feel like this is an unsafe car for my child to ride in because I do not know when my brakes might fail or really what is wrong with them. My engine also has a burning smell to it almost all the time, and I was told that there was nothing wrong by mitsubishi. I also have numerous friends that have galants and have the same break problems.