Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 62 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 13 | 21% |
| Power train | 11 | 18% |
| Suspension | 7 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 10% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 8% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 3% |
| Structure | 2 | 3% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 FORW
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NUT THAT HELD THE LOWER BALL JOINT BECAME LOOSE AND DETACHED, CAUSING T
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT BROKE CAUSED MY CAR TO CRASH INTO A PARKED VEHICLE AS I WAS DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS FOUND TO HAVE A PROBLEM UPON INSPECTION BY A MECHANIC. *JB
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
THE BLACK PAINT ON MY 1998 MITSUBISHI GALANT ES HAS WORN OFF IN AN A TYPICAL PATTERN. THE PAINT HAS COME OFF IN A GRID-LIKE FASHION - AS THOUGH A GIANT ACIDIC TIRE HAS ROLLED OVER IT. IT IS EFFECTING THE ROOF, HOOD AND T
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
WHEN YOU START THE CAR IT MAKES A LOAD NOISE UNTIL FULLY HEATED, AND THE TRANSMISSION IS PULLING AND MAKING NOISE, IT GETS STUCK IN GEAR AND WILL NOT MOVE TO NEXT GEAR, JUST STALLS AND THEN KICKS IN. FIRST IT WAS JUST SK
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I OWN A MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE 98. THE PASSENGER SIDE HANDLE BROKE OFF THE FIRST TIME IN 2000. I HAD IT REPLACED WITH ANOTHER MITSUBISHI HANDLE. FOR THE 2ND TIME AND 3RD TIME, MY PASSENGER HANDLE BROKE OFF IN 2005 AND A WEEK
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages
BEGINNING 01/2005, WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND VEHICLE LOST POWER. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPAIRED THE CRANK PULLEY. A FEW MONTHS LATER, IT BROKE AGAIN, AND THE SAME MECHANIC REPAIRED THE CRANK PULL
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1998 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 | 48 | 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 62 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 13 of them (21%). 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 1998 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.