Does the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant, the most recent reported on September 1, 2004 (Equipment: other, labels). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant?

Owners have filed 135 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is service brakes, hydraulic (27 complaints), followed by electrical system (26).

How many 2002 Mitsubishi Galant complaints mention a crash or fire?

21 of 135 complaints report a crash and 10 a fire; 19 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2002 Mitsubishi Galant recalls and problems

2 recalls and 135 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant.

recalls

135

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2002 Mitsubishi Galant recalls

Equipment: other, labels

NHTSA campaign 04V428000 · reported September 1, 2004 · MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN · 100,432 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, 'occupant crash protection.' the bilingual english/spanish removable air bag warning labels affixed to the dash and to the sunvisor do not meet the size requirements of the standard.
The risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
The fix: Mitsubishi caribbean will mail a customer notification letter containing a written description and a graphic of the bi-lingual dashboard air bag warning label. In addition, all current 2000-2004 nativa owners will also receive replacement air bag alert labels for the sun visors. This recall is expected to begin during march or april 2005. The notification to the nativa owners is expected to begin during april or may 2005. Owners should contact mitsubishi caribbean at 1-787-251-8715.

Electrical system: wiring, front underhood

NHTSA campaign 02V147000 · reported May 29, 2002 · MITSUBISHI AMERICA · 3,378 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: There could be a loss of stop or turn signal lamp operation or engine hesitation.
The fix: 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 and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Service brakes, hydraulic27
Electrical system26
Visibility21
Structure19
Air bags17
Engine and engine cooling13
Unknown or other7
Exterior lighting6
Equipment5
Steering5

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Aug 3, 2022 · Air bags · 131,000 miles · crash reported
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. The vehicle veered off the road and initially hit a garbage can that ricocheted and broke another vehicle's taillight. The vehicle…

Jul 22, 2019 · Exterior lighting · 80,000 miles
I'VE HAD THIS 2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND HAVE ALWAYS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHTS. THEY DON'T SHINE BRIGHT ENOUGH TO CLEARLY SEE THE ROAD AHEAD. IT IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.

Apr 13, 2016 · Electrical system · 25,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND THE SIGNAL LAMP FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS…

May 26, 2015 · Air bags · crash reported
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. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WENT AIRBORNE AND LANDED ON ALL FOUR WHEELS. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A NECK INJURY…

Apr 30, 2015 · Electrical system · 186,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WITHOUT IT BEING MANUALLY ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000…

Galant model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2000	6	132	15	12
2001	7	149	40	9
2002	2	135	21	10
2003	2	126	15	4
2004	1	61	5	0
2005	3	26	1	1

Across all years, the 2001 Galant has the most complaints (149). All Mitsubishi Galant years →

Questions

Does the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant, the most recent reported on September 1, 2004 (Equipment: other, labels). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant?: Owners have filed 135 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is service brakes, hydraulic (27 complaints), followed by electrical system (26).
How many 2002 Mitsubishi Galant complaints mention a crash or fire?: 21 of 135 complaints report a crash and 10 a fire; 19 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received August 3, 2022.