Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 89 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant, and it carries 2 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 | 17 | 19% |
| Power train | 11 | 12% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 10% |
| Air bags | 8 | 9% |
| Service brakes | 7 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 6% |
| Steering | 3 | 3% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 2% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 2% |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 1997 Mitsubishi Galant. The contact stated that after stopping at a service station, after entering and restarting the vehicle, the driver’s, and passenger’s side air bags independently deployed. The c
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I PURCHASED A USED CAR IN 2004. LATER WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE BALLJOINT RECALL, THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO GET INVOLVE IN ASSISTING ME IN PURSUING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I HAD PURCHASED WITH TH
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
I WAS AT A STOP SIGN AND I PRESSED ON THE GAS, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR JUST STOPPED MOVING. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, SHUT IT OFF, TURNED IT BACK ON, SHIFTED IT INTO DRIVE, AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE, IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS STUC
NHTSA complaint: Power train
DEFECTIVE REAR DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLIES; BOTH SIDES. I HAVE REPLACED WITH OTHER USED PARTS AND THOSE PARTS CONSISTENTLY FAILED TOO. I HAVE FOUND FOUR ASSEMBLIES, ON OTHER USED GALANTS, AND THEY HAVE ALL FAILED. I AM AWARE
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages
DOOR LATCHES HAVE FLOWN OPEN OR UNLATCHED BY THEM SELVES WHILE DRIVING ON BOTH REAR DOORS. THE REAR DOOR DO NOT STAY CLOSED ANYMORE. PASSENGERS COULD HAVE FALLEN OUT OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages
I HAVE A 1997 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE SEATBELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WILL NOT STAY LOCKED. IT COMES OFF WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I CALLED TWO MITSUBISHI DEALERS IN VIRGINIA BEACH AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS NOT
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI GALANT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD CONSTANTLY PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A COLLISION SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SHOCK
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
LEFT TURN SIGNAL SWITCH STUCK ON FLASHING AND WOULD NOT SHUT OFF AFTER CANCELING. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1997 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. 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
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 | 84 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | 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 89 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 17 of them (19%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 84/100 (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 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1997 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.