1990 Mitsubishi Galant: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1990 Mitsubishi Galant: 1 recall, 21 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #98V168000 · 1998 · 9,560 vehicles
What's wrong: Lockup of the transfer case can occur due to insufficient lubrication.
Why it matters: 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…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (9): the most common themes are leaks (2).
- Engine & cooling (6): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Seat belts (6): the most common themes are noise or vibration (2).
- Speed control / throttle (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1990 Mitsubishi Galant has 21 owner complaints, ranking #17 of 23 Galant model years for complaints (well below the 76 average). Complaints peaked in 1999 (5 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 143,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1991 (63 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 22 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 25 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 21 | 19 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1990 Mitsubishi Galant.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 1990 Mitsubishi Galant have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 1990 Mitsubishi Galant. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1990 Mitsubishi Galant problems?
Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (9), engine & cooling (6), seat belts (6).
What gas mileage does the 1990 Mitsubishi Galant get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (2.0 L, Manual 5-spd), across 5 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1990 Mitsubishi Galant repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.