Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 170 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Mitsubishi Galant, and it carries 4 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 31 | 18% |
| Service brakes | 22 | 13% |
| Suspension | 17 | 10% |
| Air bags | 15 | 9% |
| Structure | 13 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 13 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 3% |
| Visibility | 5 | 3% |
| Equipment | 4 | 2% |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS BEING PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE WHEN SHE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED
NHTSA complaint: Structure
MY MITSUBISHI MAGNA 1996 HAD VERY LITTLE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS BEFORE LAST YEAR WHEN I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND NOTICED AND OVERREV AND SUDDEN BUMP INTO 3RD GEAR AND OVER TIME IT FADED OUT TO NOTHING AND THEN I WAS DRIVING IT
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I CURRENTLY BOUGHT THE 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT FOR MY WIFE AND 11 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER. THE DEALER TOLD ME I NEEDED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT TO GET THE PULL AND SHAKE OUT OF MY FRONT END. I TOOK IT TO AN ALIGNMENT SHOP AND TH
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE, THE JACK WENT STRAIGHT THROUGH THE FRAME WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING LIFTED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A SHOP AND THEY IN
NHTSA complaint: Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY IS ATTACHED TO THE SUBFRAME, WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE BODY. THE ENTIRE PART IS EXTREMELY RUSTED AND PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM JACKING THE VEHICLE A
NHTSA complaint: Structure
THE REAR UNDERCARRIAGE OF MY 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT HAS SEVERE RUST DAMAGE TO THE POINT THAT YOU CANNOT EVEN JACK UP THE CAR AS THE JACK PENETRATES THEY SUB FRAME. THE STRUT FROM THE RIGHT REAR ALSO CAME LOOSE FROM THE T
NHTSA complaint: Structure
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT. DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE CHECKS THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED RUST ON THE FRAME UNDER THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF EACH REAR WHEEL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 157000 AND THE FAILURE
NHTSA complaint: Structure
BOTH BALL JOINTS ON THE CONSUMERS 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT FAILED, BREAKING THE DRIVE AXLE. *TS AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE BALL JOINTS. THE CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVE
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1996 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. 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.
CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLIES, P/N E7081H, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WALL OF THE FLARED FITTING OF THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT THICK ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE MATING THREADED FITTINGS FROM BOTTOMING OUT BEFORE AN ADEQUATE SEAL IS ACHIEVED. THIS COND
Risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AIRTEX AUTOMOTIVE AT 800-880-3056.
| Reliability raw | 81 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 87 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 55 | average |
| Performance | 49 | below average |
| Efficiency | 43 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 170 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 31 of them (18%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 81/100 (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 1996 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 71/100. 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.