1992 Mitsubishi Galant: common problems

Owners of the 1992 Mitsubishi Galant filed 39 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 39
involving a crash: 1

What fails most often

1 Powertrain 59% of all complaints
2 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
3 Engine and cooling 10% of all complaints
4 Fuel system 5% of all complaints
5 Seat belts 5% of all complaints
6 Service brakes 5% of all complaints
7 Air bags 3% of all complaints
8 Steering 3% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Powertrain: 23 complaints (59% of all).
Electrical system: 4 complaints (10% of all).
Engine and cooling: 4 complaints (10% of all).
Fuel system: 2 complaints (5% of all).
Seat belts: 2 complaints (5% of all).

Engines and transmissions

US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.

2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
automatic, 4-speed
manual, 5-speed

Drive: AWD, FWD

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 39 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

smoke, burning smell, fire4 · 10%
fuel system, fuel smell2 · 5%
rust, corrosion2 · 5%
seat belts2 · 5%
airbags did not deploy1 · 3%
won't start1 · 3%
knocking, grinding or other noise1 · 3%
oil leak or consumption1 · 3%
loss of power / limp mode1 · 3%
stalls while driving1 · 3%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash
Powertrain	23	0
Electrical system	4	0
Engine and cooling	4	0
Fuel system	2	0
Seat belts	2	0
Service brakes	2	0
Air bags	1	1
Steering	1	0
Suspension	1	0
Tires	1	0

What owners report

Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.

While driving at 20 mph and was hit head on by another vehicle, driver's side air bag didn't deploy.
Air bags · crash · 1999-09-03 · NHTSA complaint #846758
Smoke started coming from underneath the right rear tire. At first I thought the car was on fire. The smoke kept coming out even though the car was parked for more than 10 minutes. My kid's and I were all afraid to go near the car.
Suspension · 2009-05-18 · NHTSA complaint #10269309
1992 mitsubishi galant caught fire in the engine compartment. A new engine had been install 3000 miles prior to the fire.
Engine and cooling · 2006-09-22 · NHTSA complaint #10169101
Dt: the contact stated there was nhtsa recall nhtsa campaign 98v168000 concerning the transfer case. Recall repairs was performed on 10-20-03. In november 2005 with only 8000 miles on the vehicle the transfer case began to leak fluid, and all four wheels locked. The vehicle was towed to the contact's house.
Powertrain · 2005-12-02 · NHTSA complaint #10144334
My car had been stalling since august 2003. The first time I brought it into have it serviced at firestone, they could not find any problem. In november 2003 my car was stalling again and I lost power driving it, as the car engine shut off. I had brought my car in again to a different firestone.
Electrical system · 2004-01-14 · NHTSA complaint #10053159
While driving at low speeds smoke came from the rear of vehicle. Initially the consumer was told by a dealer that the rear trans axle should be replaced. Consumer went to another dealer to get a second opinion. The dealer indicated that vehicle was covered under recall 98v168000 concerning transfer case.
Powertrain · 2003-10-23 · NHTSA complaint #10044617
The vehicle was recalled in japan (july 2000) and in february (2001) citing safety reasons due to this and related problems. It was not recalled in america. Waited all these months to see if it will be recalled.
Steering · 2002-10-22 · NHTSA complaint #768522
Consumer states that vehicle will not start. Had vehicle serviced this was a result off the main computer control module malfunctioning. Had it replaced problem reaccured. Mr
Electrical system · 2002-10-18 · NHTSA complaint #8021134

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

19964
19972
199815
19995
20001
20012
20023
20031
20042
20052
20061
20091

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 6,011 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 16% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Galant has 64 complaints (28 years in the data). This year has 39, below average.

What to check before buying

Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 1992 Mitsubishi Galant?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, electrical system, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 39. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (10%), fuel system, fuel smell (5%), rust, corrosion (5%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1992 Mitsubishi Galant?

NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.

Should I buy a 1992 Mitsubishi Galant from a US auction?

Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.

Other 1992 models

Read also

Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.