2003 Mitsubishi Galant
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Visibility & Lighting
Visibility & Lighting leads by volume: 46 of 126 complaints (37%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 135 in 2002 to 126 in 2003.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | vs. 2003 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,950–3,900 | 2,950–3,900 | 2,950–3,700 | 2,700–4,100 | 2,700–4,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 20–21 | 20–21 | 21 | 19–23 | 19–23 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–19 / 25–26 | 17–18 / 25–26 | 18–19 / 25 | 17–20 / 25–27 | 17–20 / 25–27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423–444 | 423–444 | 423 | 386–468 | 386–468 | |
| Complaints filed | 151 | 135 | 126 | 61 | 26 | |
| Recalls issued | 8 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 40 | 21 | 15 | 5 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 11 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 22 | 19 | 13 | 1 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
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 2003 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 2003 Mitsubishi Galant?
Visibility & Lighting: 46 of 126 NHTSA complaints (37%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Mitsubishi Galant get?
EPA rates it 21 MPG combined across 3 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2003 Mitsubishi Galant?
EPA estimates $2,950–$3,700 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 19 mpg (high) | 25 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 (low) | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 19 mpg (high) | 25 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 (low) | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg (low) | 25 mpg | 21 mpg | $3,700 (high) | 423 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 17 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 12 | 10 | 0 | 11 | 1 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 27 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 46 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP · Campaign 03V442000 · Nov 5, 2003
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE RESTRICTED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN A LEAK IN THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP PRESSURE. THOSE VEHICLES EXHIBITING HIGHER THAN NORMAL FUEL PUMP PRESSURE WILL RECEIVE FUEL PUMP MODIFICATIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN DECEMBER 3, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037 OR MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-800-981-0452.