MYRModel Year Report

2002 Mitsubishi Galant

● Typical for this model
2002 Mitsubishi Galant
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:55:42.674Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
135
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

23% of complaints

Complaints per year

1986: 4 complaints 1986 1987: 9 complaints 1988: 7 complaints 1989: 19 complaints 1990: 21 complaints 1990 1991: 63 complaints 1992: 39 complaints 1993: 9 complaints 1994: 205 complaints 1994 1995: 209 complaints 1996: 136 complaints 1997: 80 complaints 1998: 53 complaints 1998 1999: 215 complaints 2000: 136 complaints 2001: 151 complaints 2002: 135 complaints 2002 135 2003: 126 complaints 2004: 61 complaints 2005: 26 complaints 2006: 24 complaints 2006 2007: 24 complaints 2008: 6 complaints 2009: 16 complaints 2010: 9 complaints 2010 2011: 3 complaints 2012: 9 complaints
1986: 4 complaints 1986 1987: 9 complaints 1988: 7 complaints 1988 1989: 19 complaints 1990: 21 complaints 1990 1991: 63 complaints 1992: 39 complaints 1992 1993: 9 complaints 1994: 205 complaints 1994 1995: 209 complaints 1996: 136 complaints 1996 1997: 80 complaints 1998: 53 complaints 1998 1999: 215 complaints 2000: 136 complaints 2000 2001: 151 complaints 2002: 135 complaints 2002 135 2003: 126 complaints 2004: 61 complaints 2004 2005: 26 complaints 2006: 24 complaints 2006 2007: 24 complaints 2008: 6 complaints 2008 2009: 16 complaints 2010: 9 complaints 2010 2011: 3 complaints 2012: 9 complaints 2012
1986: 4 complaints 1986 1987: 9 complaints 1988: 7 complaints 1988 1989: 19 complaints 1990: 21 complaints 1990 1991: 63 complaints 1992: 39 complaints 1992 1993: 9 complaints 1994: 205 complaints 1994 1995: 209 complaints 1996: 136 complaints 1996 1997: 80 complaints 1998: 53 complaints 1998 1999: 215 complaints 2000: 136 complaints 2000 2001: 151 complaints 2002: 135 complaints 2002 135 2003: 126 complaints 2004: 61 complaints 2004 2005: 26 complaints 2006: 24 complaints 2006 2007: 24 complaints 2008: 6 complaints 2008 2009: 16 complaints 2010: 9 complaints 2010 2011: 3 complaints 2012: 9 complaints 2012

2002: 135 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19850
19864
19879
19887
198919
199021
199163
199239
19939
1994205
1995209
1996136
199780
199853
1999215
2000136
2001151
2002135
2003126
200461
200526
200624
200724
20086
200916
20109
20113
20129

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

23% · 31 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH

Electrical system

20% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing front underhood and instrument cluster/panel.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Galant. The contact stated that while exiting the vehicle she noticed a burning smell. After returning to the vehicle an hour later there was smoke being emitted from the passenger side front door.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-10-24

Visibility

16% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing heater core and defroster/defogger/hvac system.

FIRE

Structure

14% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing body and frame and members.

Air bags

13% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Galant. The contact stated that while his son was being chased by another motorist at 40 MPH, he lost control of the vehicle as he attempted to brake.

NHTSA ODI report, 2022-08-03

Tl* the contact owned a 2002 Mitsubishi Galant. While driving approximately 25 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the front driver side of the contact's vehicle at approximately 55 MPH.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-05-26

Tl-the contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Galant. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH there was a loss of steering control and the vehicle crashed into a guard rail. The air bags failed to deploy with the impact.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-08-30

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2002-07-08Electrical system02V147000 On certain passenger vehicles, routing of the vehicle's front harness can allow it to come in contact with a rough edge, allowing abrasion. This could result in grounded circuits.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a protector, eliminating any harness contact. Owner notification began July 8, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    2008-03-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 2008-07-01 Passenger door fire
  3. I
    2008-07-01Engineering analysisClosed 2009-08-21 Passenger door fire
  4. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    Date not on fileEquipment04V428000 Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no.

    Remedy: Mitsubishi caribbean will mail a customer notification letter containing a written description and a graphic of the bi-lingual dashboard air bag warning label.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Mitsubishi Galant — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 31 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 27 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility: 22 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V428000 · Equipment
  • Recall 02V147000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.