Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 249 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 Mitsubishi Galant, and it carries 6 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 64 | 26% |
| Air bags | 34 | 14% |
| Service brakes | 29 | 12% |
| Power train | 21 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 13 | 5% |
| Visibility | 11 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | 4% |
| Steering | 9 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 8 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 4 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE THE CHECK ENGINE SENSOR LIGHT AND BRAKE SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND CONTINUED TO FLASH OFF AND ON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT D
NHTSA complaint: Engine
I SPRAYED MY 95 MITSUBISHI GALANT MOTOR OFF AND RINSED IT OFF, IT RAN FOR ABOUT TWENTY MINUTES AND THEN SHUT OFF. NOW ITS JUST TURNING AD WILL NOT START. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
IT STARTED WITH MY LIGHTS AND RADIO STAYING ON EVEN WHEN THE CAR WAS OFF, IT WAS LIKE THAT FOR A FEW DAYS THEN I WAS DRIVING UP THE ROAD TO MEET SOME FRIENDS WHEN I SPELLED SOMETHING BURNING THEN SMOKE STARTED ROLLING OU
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT IN THE VEHICLE WOULD ILLUMINATE. HE WOULD ALSO HAVE TO PULL THE FUSE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE TURN SIGNAL BECAUSE IT APPEARED TO BE STUCK.
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MITSUBISHI GALANT. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VIN WAS INC
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
ANTILOCK BRAKE MALFUNCTIONED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN THERE WAS NEED TO BRAKE SUDDENLY RESULTING IN SEVERAL NEAR CRASHES. WHEN BRAKE WAS APPLIED GRINDING NOISE HEARD AND THEN ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAINED
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
1995 MITSUBISHI GALANT CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *KB PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE HEAD GASKET COVER WAS REPLACED.(OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *JB
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 1995 MITSUBISHI GALANT ABS LIGHT TURNED ON 03/11/07. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN THE EVENING HOURS AT THE SPEED OF 50-55 MPH THE ABS LIGHT TURNED ON. HE NOTICED A CHANGE
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 1995 Mitsubishi Galant. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CRACKS CAN OCCUR IN THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK DUE TO AN IMPROPER SPOT WELD ON THE BAFFLE PLATE TO THE TOP PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK.
Risk: A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK COULD ALLOW FUEL OR FUMES TO ESCAPE. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE UPPER SURFACE OF THE FUEL TANK FOR ANY SIGNS OF CRACKING. IF NO CRACKING OR LEAKING IS FOUND, DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SEALING PROTECTOR PLATE. IF ANY CRACKING OR LEAKAGE IS
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.
Fix: 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 JOIN
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. WHEN THE STOP LAMP SWITCH WAS ASSEMBLED, GREASE WAS INADVERTENTLY APPLIED TO THE CONTACT POINT. THIS CAN CAUSE THE CONTACT POINT TO HEAT UP CAUSING INTERNAL OPERATION ELEMENTS TO MELT ALLOWING THE SWTICH TO BECOME STUCK IN ON OR OFF POSITION.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY AND REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT IN JAPAN. IF THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, DIRT AND WATER CAN INTRUDE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RUBBER BOOTS, AND IF THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THEY WILL REPLACE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM AND BALL JOINT ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
| Reliability raw | 80 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 87 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 55 | average |
| Performance | 49 | below average |
| Efficiency | 41 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 249 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 64 of them (26%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 80/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1995 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.