MYRModel Year Report

2003 Mitsubishi Galant

● Typical for this model
2003 Mitsubishi Galant
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:56:19.111Z

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
126
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Visibility

36% 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 2003: 126 complaints 2003 126 2004: 61 complaints 2005: 26 complaints 2006: 24 complaints 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 2003: 126 complaints 2003 126 2004: 61 complaints 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 2003: 126 complaints 2003 126 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

2003: 126 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.

Visibility

36% · 45 reports

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

FIRE

Structure

17% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing body.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I was driving at 33 MPH on a main street when car on my right goes through stop sign and drives into my car. He hit the front of my car near, but not including, the passenger door.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-08-12

Also filed under Air bags

Electrical system

17% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing horn and interior/under dash.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

I started my car in the afternoon, then I turned on my radio 3 minutes later. Then, I smelled like something burnt, that's when I saw smoke came out of the front right passenger seat door. I stopped in a random tire shop to see what was going on.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-08-23

Check engine light came on and the car quit on me when I was driving it

NHTSA ODI report, 2021-01-26

Also filed under Engine and power train

Engine and engine cooling

13% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing cooling system and engine.

CRASH

Service brakes

11% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

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
    2003-12-03Fuel system, gasoline03V442000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel pump pressure. Those vehicles exhibiting higher than normal fuel pump pressure will receive fuel pump modifications. The recall began December 3, 2003. Owners…

    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

2003 Mitsubishi Galant — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Visibility: 45 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 21 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 21 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V428000 · Equipment
  • Recall 03V442000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • 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 2003 Mitsubishi Galant reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Mitsubishi Galant is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mitsubishi Galant?
The most-reported component is visibility, accounting for 36% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 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.