CarBrief

NHTSA has 16 owner complaints on file for the 2009 Galant, and 10 of them name air bags[1][2]. The car has no recalls on file, so the air bag reports are the main thing to check before you buy[3].

16owner complaints[1]
19–23MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Reported problems

The complaint file for this car is small. NHTSA lists 16 complaints[1]. Three mention a crash and four mention injuries. None mention a fire or a death[1]. These are owner reports that NHTSA has not verified.

Air bags. Ten complaints name this group. All 3 crashes and all 4 injuries in the file sit here, and the median mileage at failure is 93,461[2]. We read a sample of 7 of these complaints[2]. In 3 of them owners say the air bags did not deploy in a crash[2]. In 2 the air bag went off with no collision[2]. One describes a cracked air bag compartment that a dealer said needed repair[2]. Another comes from a buyer who says a seller had disconnected wiring so the air bag warning light would not show[2].

Other groups. The rest of the file is thin:

A group with only a handful of complaints is not a pattern[5][6][7][8]. One complaint can name several groups, so the group counts add up to more than 16[1]. Complaint counts are also not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2009 model year[3]. That does not clear the air bag complaints. It only means no recall campaign is on file for this year. Owners can still run the VIN on NHTSA's recall page for the car they are looking at.

Fuel economy

The EPA lists two engines for this car[12][4].

Engine City / Highway / Combined MPG Fuel Yearly fuel cost
3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), front-wheel drive[12] 16 / 25 / 19 Premium $4,350
2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S4), front-wheel drive[4] 20 / 27 / 23 Regular $2,900

The 4-cylinder is rated 4 MPG better combined[12][4]. The EPA's yearly cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists no star rating for the 4-door front-wheel-drive Galant[13]. The entry says "not rated"[13].

Engine and size

The EPA test engines are a 3.8L 6-cylinder and a 2.4L 4-cylinder[12][4]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications for the 4-door sedan[14], converted to inches and pounds, and can differ slightly from US cars. Length, width, height and wheelbase are the same for all three versions listed.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
ES[14] 190 in 72 in 58 in 107 in 3,351 lb
LS[15] 190 in 72 in 58 in 107 in 3,560 lb
RALLIART[16] 190 in 72 in 58 in 107 in 3,649 lb

How 2009 compares with other years

1995: 209 complaints, 5 recalls19951996: 136 complaints, 3 recalls1997: 80 complaints, 1 recalls19971998: 53 complaints, 1 recalls1999: 215 complaints, 5 recalls19992000: 136 complaints, 6 recalls2001: 151 complaints, 7 recalls20012002: 135 complaints, 2 recalls2003: 126 complaints, 2 recalls20032004: 61 complaints, 1 recalls2005: 26 complaints, 3 recalls20052006: 24 complaints, 1 recalls2007: 24 complaints, 1 recalls20072008: 6 complaints, 0 recalls2009: 16 complaints, 0 recalls1620092010: 9 complaints, 1 recalls2011: 3 complaints, 0 recalls20112012: 9 complaints, 0 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Galant model year. The 2009 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19952095
19961363
1997801
1998531
19992155
20001366
20011517
20021352
20031262
2004611
2005263
2006241
2007241
200860
2009160
201091
201130
201290

The 2009 Galant has 16 complaints and 0 recalls on file[3]. Four model years have fewer complaints: 2008 with 6, 2010 with 9, 2011 with 3 and 2012 with 9[3]. Every year from 1995 to 2007 has more, and the lowest of those is 24[3]. For recalls, 2008, 2011 and 2012 also have 0, while 2010 has 1[3].

Newer cars have had less time to collect complaints, so a low count is not proof of a better car.

Should you buy a used 2009 Galant?

The paperwork looks light. There are few complaints and no recalls on file[1][3]. The weak spot is air bags, which account for 10 complaints and all of the crashes and injuries in the file[2]. Have a shop check the air bag system and warning light before you buy, and run the VIN for recalls. Expect higher fuel bills with the 3.8L engine, which needs premium and is rated 19 MPG combined, than with the 2.4L at 23[12][4]. These are unverified owner reports, so treat them as a reason to inspect, not as a verdict.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Mitsubishi Galant?
NHTSA lists 16 complaints, and 10 name air bags[1][2]. Structure has 4 and wheels have 3[5][6].
Does the 2009 Mitsubishi Galant have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2009 model year[3].
What MPG does a 2009 Mitsubishi Galant get?
The EPA rates the 2.4L 4-cylinder at 23 MPG combined and the 3.8L 6-cylinder at 19 MPG combined[4][12].
How big is the 2009 Mitsubishi Galant?
Canadian-market specs list 190 in long, 72 in wide, 58 in tall, with a 107 in wheelbase[14].
Is the 2009 Galant a safe car?
NHTSA lists no star rating for it[13]. Its complaint file has 3 crashes and 4 injuries, all tied to air bags[1][2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 16 owner complaints on file for the 2009 Mitsubishi Galant (3 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 4 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 10 complaints name the air bags component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 93,461). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Mitsubishi Galant model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Galant, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S4), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 4 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 3 complaints name the wheels component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 2 complaints name the tires component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 1 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 1 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 1 complaints name the seat belts component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 1 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. EPA rating for Galant, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 25 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  13. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  14. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GALANT 4DR SEDAN FWD ES: length 190 in, width 72 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,351 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  15. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GALANT 4DR SEDAN FWD LS: length 190 in, width 72 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,560 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  16. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GALANT 4DR SEDAN FWD RALLIART: length 190 in, width 72 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,649 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.