2002 Mitsubishi Galant

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Brakes

Brakes leads by volume: 28 of 135 complaints (21%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Body, Seats & Latches include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Complaints filed fell from 151 in 2001 to 135 in 2002.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.
Category20002001200220032004vs. 2002 Midsize Cars
Annual fuel cost ($)2,950–3,9002,950–3,9002,950–3,9002,950–3,7002,700–4,100
Combined MPG20–2120–2120–212119–23
City / Highway MPG17–19 / 25–2617–19 / 25–2617–18 / 25–2618–19 / 2517–20 / 25–27
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)423–444423–444423–444423386–468
Complaints filed13615113512661Not compared
Recalls issued78331Not compared
Crash-involved complaints154021155Not compared
Fire-involved complaints16111040Not compared
Injuries reported152219131Not compared
Deaths reported00111Not compared
Configurations compared22332

Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.

Common questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant have?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant?

Brakes: 28 of 135 NHTSA complaints (21%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant get?

EPA rates it 20–21 MPG combined across 3 configurations.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2002 Mitsubishi Galant?

EPA estimates $2,950–$3,900 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

EPA-Rated Configurations (3)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Automatic 4-spd63.0LFront-Wheel DrivePremiumMidsize Cars18 mpg (high)25 mpg (low)21 mpg (high)$3,700423 g/mi (low)
Configuration 2Automatic 4-spd42.4LFront-Wheel DriveRegularMidsize Cars18 mpg (high)26 mpg (high)21 mpg (high)$2,950 (low)423 g/mi (low)
Configuration 3Automatic 4-spd63.0LFront-Wheel DrivePremiumMidsize Cars17 mpg (low)25 mpg (low)20 mpg (low)$3,900 (high)444 g/mi (high)

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine130000
Transmission & Drivetrain31010
Fuel System31210
Electrical260830
Brakes282000
Steering50000
Suspension, Wheels & Tires120000
Airbags & Restraints19170120
Driver Assistance & Speed Control00000
Body, Seats & Latches212011
Visibility & Lighting270100
Other112030

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (3)

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 09E025000 · May 11, 2009

    Defect: 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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

    Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    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.

  • EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · Campaign 04V428000 · Sep 3, 2004

    Defect: 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.

    Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

    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. 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 · Campaign 02V147000 · Jun 3, 2002

    Defect: 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.

    Consequence: THERE COULD BE A LOSS OF STOP OR TURN SIGNAL LAMP OPERATION OR ENGINE HESITATION.

    Remedy: 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.