2002 Mitsubishi Galant: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant: 2 recalls, 135 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Electrical Vehicle recall #02V147000 · 2002 · 3,378 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: There could be a loss of stop or turn signal lamp operation or engine hesitation.
The fix: Dealers will install a protector, eliminating any harness contact. Owner notification began July 8, 2002.
Equipment Vehicle recall #04V428000 · 2004 · 100,432 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
The fix: 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…
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E025000 · 2009 · 42,540 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dope, Inc. will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 10 mention a fire, 19 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Brakes (hydraulic) (27): the most common themes are noise or vibration (16).
- Electrical (26): the most common themes are electrical failure (13), door / lock issues (10), fire / smoke (8).
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (21): the most common themes are noise or vibration (8).
- Body & structure (19): the most common themes are noise or vibration (3), rust / corrosion (3), door / lock issues (2).
The 2002 Mitsubishi Galant has 135 owner complaints, ranking #7 of 23 Galant model years for complaints (1.8× the average Galant year). Complaints peaked in 2004 (21 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 64,895 miles. Neighboring years: 2001 (151 complaints, 7 recalls), 2003 (126 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 21 | Premium |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | Premium |
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 2002 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 2002 Mitsubishi Galant have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. 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 2002 Mitsubishi Galant problems?
Owners have filed 135 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (hydraulic) (27), electrical (26), visibility (wipers, glass) (21).
What gas mileage does the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2002 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.