1991 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 1991 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
- 1991 Mitsubishi Galant owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (40), Electrical system (9), Engine (8), Brakes (8), Hydraulic (8).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
11/28/2007 · Steering
I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM OFF AND ON SINCE 1997 HAVE PUT IN THREE ECM COMPUTERS WHY WAS THIS PROBLEM NEVER ADDRESSED BY MANUFACTURER CHECK OUT THIS SITE -HTTP://WWW.90GSX.COM/ECLIPSE/CAP/CAPS.HTM ALONG WITH OIL LEAKAGE RECALL OF 97-98 WHICH I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF & JUST FOUND OUT WITH MY CAR LEAKING OIL EVERY WARE & NOW POWER STEERING LEAKAGE FROM STEERING…
02/26/2006 · Transmission / drivetrain
TRANSMISSION FAILURE TO SHIFT TO THIRD GEAR AFTER REPLACING TRANSMISSION WITH OTHER UNIT LESS THAN A YEAR AGO. ( APRIL 2005) MAKES A LOUD BANG WHEN DOWNSHIFTING TO 1ST GEAR UPON STOPPING. *NM
01/15/2004 · Transmission / drivetrain
PURCHASED A VEHICLE AT EASTABOGA AUTO SALES. DROVE THE CAR FOR 1 DAY THE TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING UP I TOOK IT BACK TO WHERE I BOUGHT IT HE TOLD ME TO DRIVE IT A COUPLE OF DAYS BECAUSE HE HAD JUST PUT A NEW MOTOR IN IT AND IT HAD BEEN SITTING UP FOR ABOUT 8 MONTHS TO DRIVE IT AND LET EVERYTHING GET BROKEN IN.SO THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO DRIVE IT AND IT WOU…
01/15/2004 · Suspension
RIGHT BOOT HAS SELF DESTRUCTED FOR THE THIRD TIME (THE FIRST TIME WAS AROUND 35000 & I WAS TOLD THEY SHOULD BE GOOD FOR AT LEAST 60000 - THE LEFT ONE WAS). LEFT BOOT HAS ONLY HAD TO BE REPLACED 1 TIME (AROUND 65000)& WAS NOT AS BADLY DAMAGED AS THE RIGHT HAS BEEN EVERY TIME. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM & WHAT CA…
09/04/2003 · Transmission / drivetrain
REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF BOTH FRONT AXLES IN 1991 MITSUBISHI GALANT AFTER ONLY 55,577 MILES.*AK
05/28/2003 · Engine
I WANT TO FILE A COMPLAIN ABOUT THE ECU FAILURE OF MY 91 MITSUBISHI GALANT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED THREE YEARS AGO. RECENTLY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE ERROR CODE SHOWED A BAD BAROMETRIC PRESSURE SENSOR. I REPLACED IT AND COULDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. A SHOP REPLACED IT AGAIN AND THE ERROR CODE WAS STILL THERE. THEY FINALLY DIAGNOZED A BAD ECU. I HAVE…
09/23/2002 · Transmission / drivetrain
VEHICLE HAD A RECALL DONE ON VEHICLE REGARDING TRANSFER CASE A FEW YEARS AGO. CURRENTLY, PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED AGAIN. TRANSFER CASE WILL LOCK UP WHILE CONSUMER IS DRIVING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.AK
05/13/2002 · Transmission / drivetrain
OVERDRIVE FLUID IS LEAKING, ABOUT A YEAR AGO THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER TO GET RECALL REPAIRS DONE, BUT ALL DEALER DID WAS TAKE A LOOK AT VEHICLE. THEN, DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT LEAKING. THEY DID NOT REPLACE ANYTHING. CURRENTLY, THEY DO NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.*AK RECALL CAMPAIGN 98V16800. *MJ