2005 Mitsubishi Galant: common problems

Owners of the 2005 Mitsubishi Galant filed 26 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and structure. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 26
involving a crash: 1

What fails most often

1 Service brakes 23% of all complaints
2 Structure 23% of all complaints
3 Air bags 8% of all complaints
4 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
5 Engine and cooling 8% of all complaints
6 Exterior lighting 8% of all complaints
7 Steering 8% of all complaints
8 Suspension 8% of all complaints

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

Service brakes: 6 complaints (23% of all).
Structure: 6 complaints (23% of all).
Air bags: 2 complaints (8% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Electrical system: 2 complaints (8% of all).
Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (8% of all).

Engines and transmissions

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

2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl
3.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl
automatic, 4-speed

Drive: FWD

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 26 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

knocking, grinding or other noise2 · 8%
rust, corrosion2 · 8%
vibration2 · 8%
airbags did not deploy1 · 4%
brake failure1 · 4%
A/C or heater1 · 4%
jerking, harsh shifts1 · 4%
headlights and tail lights1 · 4%
won't start1 · 4%
seat belts1 · 4%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash
Service brakes	6	0
Structure	6	0
Air bags	2	1
Electrical system	2	0
Engine and cooling	2	0
Exterior lighting	2	0
Steering	2	0
Suspension	2	0
Tires	2	0
Equipment	1	0
Fuel/propulsion system	1	0
Fuel system	1	0
Seat belts	1	0
Vehicle speed control	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.

The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the chest, back, and neck. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an independent towing facility. The vin and failure mileage were unknown.
Air bags · crash · 2016-09-27 · NHTSA complaint #10909971
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mitsubishi galant. While driving 50 mph, an odor of fuel was detected inside the vehicle. Upon inspecting the vehicle, a leak was detected under the rear driver's side bracket under the fuel tank.
Fuel/propulsion system · 2018-10-02 · NHTSA complaint #11132862
Then a very loud car noise and felt rattling, and the car drive was not a smooth one. I figured it was a flat tire. I was entering the i75 highway. Once on the highway, I pulled across 3 lanes to the right shoulder of the highway.
Tires · 2018-03-21 · NHTSA complaint #11080785
Good morning, I purchased my 2005 mitsubishi galant es in june or july of 2005 with approximately 1,400 miles and for the pasted few weeks I've notice the passenger air bag is rising/separating more and more of the dashboard exactly above the glove compartment silver trimming.
Air bags · 2013-09-11 · NHTSA complaint #10543014
Paint is coming off even though it is properly cared for, garaged etc. This is a known paint issue and I'm wanting it fixed.. No one will buy this vehicle in this condition. Owned since new in 2005.
Structure · 2012-02-13 · NHTSA complaint #10447816
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mitsubishi galant. The contact stated that the vehicle pulled to the right when being driven. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and had it test driven. The dealer advised the contact that the vehicle was performing as designed.
Steering · 2012-01-18 · NHTSA complaint #10444408
I have a 2006 mitsubishi galant that is out of warranty and only has 65k miles on the odometer. It a black galant and the paint is fading in spots, it looks like oxydation is setting in, I've tried over the counter polishes to correct the problem to no avail.
Structure · 2011-06-16 · NHTSA complaint #10407186
I even have a spot that is getting rusted. I am not sure what to do but there needs to be a paint recall. I need my paint fixed please before it spreads everywhere. I have three children and am not able to purchase a new car at this time.
Structure · 2009-12-11 · NHTSA complaint #10295399

When owners complained

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

20055
20062
20073
20085
20092
20111
20122
20131
20141
20161
20182
20241

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 7,316 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 20% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Galant has 64 complaints (28 years in the data). This year has 26, below average.

What to check before buying

Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Mitsubishi Galant?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, structure, air bags. Total complaints: 26. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: knocking, grinding or other noise (8%), rust, corrosion (8%), vibration (8%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2005 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 2005 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 2005 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.