Had trouble changing gears from park to drive felt like it was getting stuck and I had to jerk it to be able to switch gears. Once I was able to switch the gear into drive and started driving the nutrual light began to flash and my car would not pick up speed. I later found out that my snap ring/wave spring had broke and the metal pieces went into the filter clogging it up and damaging the pipe causing me to need a new/rebuilt transmission. I was told that this is common for the galants.
Mitsubishi Galant jerking problems
10 of the 1,738 owner complaints about the Mitsubishi Galant describe jerking or lurching, most of them for the 1998 model year.
- owner complaints
- 10
- worst model year
- 1998
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20101
- 20051
- 20021
- 19992
- 19982
- 19971
- 19961
- 19951
Often reported together
Grinding brakes 3Premature wear 1Power steering loss 1Loss of power 1Check engine light 1
What owners say
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).
There is a recall on certain 2005 galants but I was told not mine. I am having the same problems with my brakes as the recall states. I have had it to the dealer and told the first time that there was nothing wrong. The second time they ordered a timing part but I feel that is not the problem. I go tomorrow to have the part put on. I fear for my safety with these malfunctioning brakes. They make a terrible grinding noise and my car lurches forward about 4 inches and is only getting worse. I asked just because my car isn't in the recall it doesn't mean I am not having the same problem. How long do I need to ride around in a car with damaged brakes before the problem is corrected. I have not had an accident yet and would like to get this problem fixed so I don't end up in one.
Brake rotors jerk vehicle.
Rotors warped and rusted and could not be resurfaced.resulting in cost of $475 dollars for new front rotors and brake pads. Also minor crash for slow stopping.car also jerks when changing gears.
When consumer started up vehicle it shook and vibrated. Also a leak was coming from underneath of vehicle. Tires were replaced because there were bubbles located on outer side of tires. Vehicle jerked when in drive. Dealership was aware of problem.
Transmission would shift very hard into another gear. When ever vehicle comes to a stop, it would jerk. Can hear & feel it when it happens. After accelerating, would remain in one gear, and make grinding noises before changing. Not at dealership.
Consumer received recall notice 00v225001 for steering rack. Nut around steering rack is leaking. When turning mostly to left vehicle jerks & makes a grinding noise. Mechanic says could lose power steering, and not to drive vehicle until problem could be repaired.
When driving and upon taking off vehicle hesitated and jerked forward. Also, when driving transmission locked up, causing tires to skid. Consumer has contacted dealer. Dealer has replaced parts, problem still occurs. Ak the converter locks sometimes due to tcc soleniod failure.
I started to have problems with the car earlier in the year and had brought the car to two different locations to see if it was the brakes because that is what I thought it was at first. The car would not move properly after I had stopped at a signal light or a stop sign, it had felt as if the brakes were still on when I pushed my foot on the gas pedal, yet the car would stand still. Another time when we were slowing for a corner at around 5mph, the car had jerked back and forth until I had gave it gas and it worked out fine. Some days the car was fine and other days the car would act up. So, we called the dealership to have the car checked out and they have said that the transmission has problems but didn't say as to what. They asked for the maintenace records to see if the car was properly maitained and related that we might have to pay for the repairs,labor,estimate,ect while the car is still under the 60 thousand mile powertrain warranty. We did have the car service at a jiffy lube near us rather than go 35 miles south from here to do the same. So far I feel that I'm being taken for a ride.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. A hose was mis-manufactured and could weaken over time, which could result in leakage of the automatic transmission fluid.
- Risk
- Fluid leakage from the cooler hoses can cause transaxle driveability problems and smoke if the oil contacts the front exhaust pipe.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the hose assembly for the automatic transmission oil cooler. Owner notification mailing will be phased over a five-month period starting march 26, through july 23, 2001. 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.
Recall number 01V011001 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: all wheel drive passenger vehicles. Lockup of the transfer case can occur due to insufficient lubrication.
- Risk
- This condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the vehicles for adequacy of the transfer case oil volume, transfer case oil leakage, and operational degradation of the transfer case mechanism. If oil volume is insufficient, the appropriate amount of oil will be added. If there is transfer case oil leakage, affected components will be replaced. If the transfer case shows operational degradation, the transfer case will be replaced.
Recall number 98V168000 · Recall details
Questions about the Mitsubishi Galant jerking
Which Mitsubishi Galant years have jerking or lurching problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1998 (2 complaints), 1999 (2 complaints) and 1995 (1 complaints).
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