1986 Mitsubishi Galant recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
What could happen: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECU…
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 1986 GALANT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mitsubishi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 95V103004.
- 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: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Summary: THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
Notes: SYSTEM: INTERIOR; SEAT BELTS; BELT BUCKLES. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH SAFETY BELTS MADE BY TAKATA CORPORATION. NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, PLEASE CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
2. Engine
What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. HEAT SHIELD WAS INSTALLED ON LOWER SIDE OF MUFFLER INSTEAD OF THE UPPER SIDE.
What could happen: THE HEAT SHIELD ASSISTS IN DISSIPATION OF HEAT FROM THEUPPER PORTION OF THE MUFFLER. WITHOUT THE HEAT SHIELD, THE MUFFLER MIGHTCONTACT THE TRUNK OF THE CAR, DAMAGING THE CONTENTS.
The fix: A HEAT SHIELD WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE UPPER PORTION OF THE MUFFLER.
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 1986 GALANT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mitsubishi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 88E023000.
- 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: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
Summary: HEAT SHIELD WAS INSTALLED ON LOWER SIDE OF MUFFLER INSTEAD OF THE UPPER SIDE.
Consequence: THE HEAT SHIELD ASSISTS IN DISSIPATION OF HEAT FROM THEUPPER PORTION OF THE MUFFLER. WITHOUT THE HEAT SHIELD, THE MUFFLER MIGHTCONTACT THE TRUNK OF THE CAR, DAMAGING THE CONTENTS.
Remedy: A HEAT SHIELD WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE UPPER PORTION OF THE MUFFLER.
Notes: SYSTEM: REPLACEMENT MUFFLER, PART NUMBER 7519.VEHICLE CATEGORY: 1985-87 MITSUBISHI GALANT.NOTE: THIS RECALL WAS INITIATED BY MIDAS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. ALLQUESTIONS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THIS CORPORATION OR ITS DEALERS.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Seat belts (3), Steering (1), Brakes (1), Hydraulic (1), Visibility (wipers / glass) (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (4)
11/12/2000 · Steering
THERE CONTINUES TO BE EXCESSIVE SCRAPING SOUND WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT COME BACK TO SAME POSITION AFTER MAKING TURN-THIS IS EVEN AFTER A WHEEL ALIGNMENT AT SEARS-ELMHURST, NY ON 10/30/00. HEATER BLOWS COLD AIR IF NOT SET ON AUTO-THERMOSTAT ; AND THEN MUST BE SET AT LEAST 75 DEGREES; WAS IN MITSUBISHI DEALER ON 11 AVENUE NYC OVE…
03/25/1997 · Seat belts · crash
UPON IMPACT, DURING FRONTAL CRASH AT APPROX. 35MPH, 1:30 ON FRONT BUMPER, WHEN SWERVED TO AVOID COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE, HIT TELEPHONE POLE, SHOULDER /LAP BELT BUCKLE UNBUCKLED, VEHICLE ROLLED, DRIVER WAS THROWN OUT OF DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AND WAS KILLED. *AK
05/09/1995 · Seat belts
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT LATCH AND DRIVER GETTING HARD TO LATCH. TT
02/24/1995 · Seat belts
DIFFICULTY LATCHING SEAT BELT ON DRIVER. BROKEN. TT