1990 Mitsubishi Galant recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ALL WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION.
What could happen: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ADEQUACY OF THE TRANSFER CASE OIL VOLUME, TRANSFER CASE OIL LEAKAGE, AND OPERATIONAL DEGRADATION OF THE TRANSFER CASE MECHANISM. IF OIL VOLUME IS INSUFFICIENT, THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF OIL WILL BE ADDED. IF THERE IS TRANSFER CASE OIL LEAKAGE, AFFECTED COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACE…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1990 GALANT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mitsubishi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 98V168000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ALL WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ADEQUACY OF THE TRANSFER CASE OIL VOLUME, TRANSFER CASE OIL LEAKAGE, AND OPERATIONAL DEGRADATION OF THE TRANSFER CASE MECHANISM. IF OIL VOLUME IS INSUFFICIENT, THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF OIL WILL BE ADDED. IF THERE IS TRANSFER CASE OIL LEAKAGE, AFFECTED COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED. IF THE TRANSFER CASE SHOWS OPERATIONAL DEGRADATION, THE TRANSFER CASE WILL BE REPLACED.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 25, 1998. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1990 Mitsubishi Galant owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (9), Seat belts (7), Engine (6), Vehicle Speed Control (2), Electrical system (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
09/04/2003 · Seat belts
DRIVERS LAP SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. WHILE EXTENDING IT TO BUCKLE, A NOISE LIKE A TAPE MEASURE RAPIDLY CLOSING WAS HEARD, THEN IT WOULD NOT RETRACT. IT EXTENDS OUT TO ITS FULL EXTENT, AND IS APPARENTLY WORTHLESS IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT.*AK
04/08/2003 · Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS PRESSED, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AT A RAPID SPEED. *JB
08/18/2002 · Engine
HARMONIC BALANCER FELL APART. THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE OF THIS OEM PART. I THINK THEY ARE MADE FROM OLD TUNA CANS.*AK
07/31/2002 · Transmission / drivetrain
CONSUMER HAS HAD VEHICLE FOR 5 YEARS, AND HAS REPLACED TRANSMISSION 3 TIMES. *AK
01/24/2002 · Seat belts
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, CONSUMER IS HAVING DIFFICULTY "LATCHING" THE LAP BELT, SOUNDS AS IF SOMETHING IS POPPING ON THE INSIDE OF THE LATCH. *JG
01/24/2002 · Seat belts
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, CONSUMER IS HAVING DIFFICULTY "LATCHING" THE LAP BELT, SOUNDS AS IF SOMETHING IS POPPING ON THE INSIDE OF THE LATCH. *JG
02/14/2001 · Transmission / drivetrain
RECALL 98V168000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL SR-98-003/ TRANSFER CASE FAILURE. IN DECEMBER CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS. VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE MAKING LOUD NOISES AND LOCKING UP. DEALER BLAMED IT ON WHEEL BEARING, AND VALVE COVER THAT MIGHT BE LEAKING. CONSUMER HAD A SECOND OPINION, AND THEY DISAGREED WITH DEALER.*AK
02/16/1999 · Engine · fire
I PULLED INTO GAS STATION. SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM UNDER HOOD. SMALL FIRE AROUND FUEL LINE, IGNITION WIRES, COIL, WIRE HARNESS CONTAINING INJECTOR WIRES. PUT OUT W/ EXTINGUISHER. ONLY 2 WIRES TO 1 INJECTOR DAMAGED, FUEL LINE/PLUG WIRES DAMAGED, COMPUTER FAILED. HAVE HAD ALOT OF LARGE COSTLY PROBLEMS W/ THIS CAR IN THE PAST, INCLUDING DAMAGE TO DIFFER…