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2003 Mitsubishi Galant: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 126 owner complaints on file for the 2003 Galant, and two recalls[1][2]. In the complaint texts we read, owners describe failed heaters and faded paint[3][4].
Most reported problems
Complaints to NHTSA are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts of the car. They are also not adjusted for how many cars were sold. Here is how the 126 complaints split by component group[1].
- Visibility: 45 complaints, median mileage at failure 70,836[3].
- Structure: 21 complaints, median mileage 60,000[4].
- Engine: 18 complaints, median mileage 75,000[6].
- Electrical System: 17 complaints, median mileage 48,000[7].
- Brakes: 14 complaints, median mileage 16,000[8].
- Air Bags: 11 complaints, median mileage 65,000[9].
- Power Train: 6 complaints[10].
- Unknown or Other: 6 complaints[11].
We read a small sample of complaint texts for the biggest groups. In a sample of 12 Visibility texts, 10 describe a heater that stopped blowing warm air, often after clicking or grinding noises from the temperature control[3]. Some owners mention repair quotes of a few hundred dollars[3]. Two other texts in that sample describe wipers that would not switch off[3].
In a sample of 12 Structure texts, 11 describe exterior paint that faded, oxidized or peeled, mostly on the roof, hood and trunk of black cars[4]. The other text describes water leaking into the cabin[4].
In a sample of 12 Engine texts, 7 describe rough running, such as misfires, stalling, knocking lifters or a check engine light that kept coming back[6]. Three others are about the heater control, and two describe a long list of repairs on one car[6]. Some Electrical System texts in our sample describe the horn sounding on its own. Several of those texts repeat the same report, so treat that as a few owners, not a trend[7].
Air Bags has only 11 complaints, but 10 of them mention a crash and 10 an injury, and one reports a death[9]. We did not have complaint texts for that group, so we cannot say what went wrong. Brakes complaints have the lowest median mileage at failure, 16,000, and 3 of the 14 mention a crash[8].
Recalls
NHTSA lists two recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first.
- Air bag warning labels (04V428). Recalled 2004-09-01 and covering 100,432 vehicles[12]. The bilingual English and Spanish air bag warning labels on the dash and sun visor were too small to meet a federal safety standard. The fact lists no other risk. The fix described was a mailed letter with a written description and a picture of the dash label. The notice came from Mitsubishi Caribbean[12].
- Fuel pump (03V442). Recalled 2003-11-04 and covering 17,087 vehicles[13]. A fitting on the fuel return line of the electric fuel pump can get restricted. That lets fuel pressure build up and can cause a leak in the return hose. Leaking fuel near a spark could start a fire. Dealers were to check fuel pump pressure and modify the pump if the pressure was too high. The recall began December 3, 2003[13].
Our data does not show whether these remedies are still offered today. Ask the seller to confirm both recalls were handled before you buy.
Fuel economy
EPA lists two engines for this model year, both with an automatic 4-speed and front-wheel drive[5][14].
- 2.4L 4-cylinder, regular gas: 19 city, 25 highway and 21 combined MPG[5]. EPA estimates $3,200 a year in fuel[5].
- 3.0L 6-cylinder, premium gas: 18 city, 25 highway and 21 combined MPG[14]. EPA estimates $3,900 a year in fuel[14].
The combined MPG is the same, but the V6 uses premium gas and EPA's yearly fuel cost estimate for it is higher[5][14]. The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new[5][14].
Safety ratings
NHTSA has not rated the 2003 Galant in its 5-Star Safety Ratings[15][16]. Both body styles it lists are marked not rated[15][16].
Engine and size
The sizes below are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so they can differ slightly from US models. Both four-door sedan variants share the same body measurements[17][18].
- Length 188 in, width 69 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 104 in[17][18].
- Curb weight for the variant listed as DE/ES: 3,031 lb[17].
- Curb weight for the variant listed as ES V6/LS V6/GTZ: 3,252 lb[18].
The engines on the EPA list are a 2.4L 4-cylinder and a 3.0L 6-cylinder[5][14].
How 2003 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 209 | 5 |
| 1996 | 136 | 3 |
| 1997 | 80 | 1 |
| 1998 | 53 | 1 |
| 1999 | 215 | 5 |
| 2000 | 136 | 6 |
| 2001 | 151 | 7 |
| 2002 | 135 | 2 |
| 2003 | 126 | 2 |
| 2004 | 61 | 1 |
| 2005 | 26 | 3 |
| 2006 | 24 | 1 |
| 2007 | 24 | 1 |
| 2008 | 6 | 0 |
| 2009 | 16 | 0 |
| 2010 | 9 | 1 |
| 2011 | 3 | 0 |
| 2012 | 9 | 0 |
NHTSA data for 18 Galant model years, 1995 to 2012, puts 2003 in the middle on complaints[2]. Its 126 complaints rank seventh highest[2]. Six years have more: 1995 with 209, 1996 with 136, 1999 with 215, 2000 with 136, 2001 with 151 and 2002 with 135[2].
Later years are much lower. 2004 has 61 complaints and every year after it has 26 or fewer[2].
On recalls, 2003 has 2[2]. Six years have more: 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2005. 2002 also has 2[2].
Should you buy a used 2003 Galant?
Owners in the complaint samples we read describe heaters that quit and paint that fades[3][4]. Those samples are small, so they are a hint of what to check and not a count of how often it happens. The fuel pump recall involved a fire risk, so confirm it was handled[13]. The Air Bags group is small but has a high share of crash and injury reports, so it deserves a close look at inspection[9]. Remember that these are unverified complaints, not adjusted for sales, and that our data has no repair costs, price or reliability scores[1].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mitsubishi Galant?
- Visibility is the largest complaint group with 45 of 126 complaints[3][1]. In the texts we sampled, owners describe heaters that stopped working[3]. Structure is next with 21 complaints, and sampled texts describe fading paint[4].
- Does the 2003 Mitsubishi Galant have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists two. One is a fuel pump fitting that can leak fuel and cause a fire (03V442)[13]. The other is air bag warning labels that were too small (04V428)[12].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 126 owner complaints on file for the 2003 Mitsubishi Galant (15 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 13 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Mitsubishi Galant model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- 45 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,836). NHTSA vehicle records
- 21 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA rating for Galant, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 18 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 17 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 14 complaints name the brakes component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 16,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 11 complaints name the air bags component group (10 crashes, 0 fires, 10 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 94,123). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 04V428, filed September 1, 2004: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 03V442, filed November 4, 2003: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Galant, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR W/SAB None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GALANT 4DR SEDAN FWD /DE/ES: length 188 in, width 69 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 3,031 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GALANT 4DR SEDAN FWD /ES V6/ LS V6/ GTZ: length 188 in, width 69 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 3,252 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov