Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2003 Mitsubishi Galant, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Visibility45
- Structure21
- Electrical system17
- Engine and engine cooling16
- Service brakes, hydraulic12
- Air bags11
- Unknown or other6
- Power train6
- Seats5
- Suspension4
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 13 injuries and 1 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 12 2003 Galant vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 10 people died inside them, and 2 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2003 Mitsubishi Galant failed the safety check 2.18% of the time — 3% more often than the average 2003 passenger car (2.11%). Median odometer at inspection: 125,366 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
41 first registered in 2003 are on Dutch roads; 12% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde21
- Band onvoldoende profiel17
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen14
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt14
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld14
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)12
- Remlicht werkt niet (goed)11
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm11
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
6 cars built in 2003 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 33 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In New Zealand
130 2003 cars are on the New Zealand register; 8% arrived as used imports, 92% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 11.2–11.6 L/100 km (about 20–21 mpg US), CO₂ 258–267 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galant · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 12.8 | 9.4 | 11.2 |
| Galant · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 13.2 | 9.6 | 11.6 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
1 Transport Canada recall for the 2003 Mitsubishi Galant.
| 2003277 10 Nov 2003 | Fuel System On certain vehicles, the fuel return line hose fitting on the electric fuel pump may be restricted, causing excessive fuel pressure to build up in the fuel inje… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE RESTRICTED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN A LEAK IN THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Mitsubishi told its dealers about the 2003 Mitsubishi Galant: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 637115 | CUSTOMER MAY COMPLAIN THAT THE WINDOW GLASS FREEZES TO MOULDING. *TT |
| 636932 | VEHICLE TECHNICAL INFORMATION REGARDING REAR SUSPENSION RATTLE. *TT |
| 636897 | VEHICLE TECHNICAL INFORMATION REGARDING REAR SUSPENSION RATTLE NOISE. *TT |
| 636845 | BULLETIN REVIEW FOR TSB-02-00-007 - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS. *TT |
| 636819 | INFORMATION ON DIAGNOSING A RATTLING NOISE HEARD FROM REAR SUSPENSION OF VEHICLE. *TT |
| 634702 | SUBJECT REGARDING TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS. *JG |
| 634564 | SUBJECT REGARDING FRONT BRAKE RINGING NOISE. *JG |
| 10240443 | This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 3rd quarterly technician quiz for 2023. |
| 10235609 | This Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of rap-film adhesive residue. |
| 10235608 | This Technical Service Bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the reduction in load carrying capacity be affixed to vehicles when the total net weight of accessories is more than 1.5 percent of the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or 100 lbs. |
| 10235606 | This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 2nd quarterly technician quiz for 2023. |
| 10211530 | This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by improper sealing or a defective/broken part. |
| 10170852 | This Technical Service Bulletin updates the door adjustment procedure in the Body Section of the applicable service manuals. |
| 10170100 | This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers. |
| 10170099 | This is an index of Tech Talk newsletter articles released in 2012. |
| 10170097 | This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers. |
| 10170096 | This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers. |
| 10170087 | This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers. |
| 10170086 | This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers. |
| 10170074 | This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers. |
| 10170071 | This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers. |
| 10170070 | This TSB contains troubleshooting steps for diagnosis of various customer complaints relating to the audio system speakers in Mitsubishi vehicles equipped with original equipment audio components. |
| 10169006 | This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers. |
| 10163703 | This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin supersedes TSB-18-00-003, issued April, 2018, to add updated information for Carrying Capacity Reduced Label. |
| 10130469 | This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
PASSENGER DOOR FIRE
PASSENGER DOOR FIRE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation