AI Damage2006 Mitsubishi Galant: common problems
Owners of the 2006 Mitsubishi Galant filed 24 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 24
- involving a crash
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 38% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 21% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 17% of all complaints
- 4 Exterior lighting 13% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 13% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 13% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 8% of all complaints
- 8 Engine and cooling 4% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 9 complaints (38% of all).
- Air bags: 5 complaints (21% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 4 complaints (17% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 3 complaints (13% of all).
- Structure: 3 complaints (13% 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 24 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 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.
I lost control of the vehicle swerved out of control and rolled over and the side airbags did not deploy.
Front end collision at about 50 mph airbags did not deploy on the car.
The consumer put the vehicle in drive and all of a sudden, the vehicle accelerated to 60 mph and the steering wheel locked. The ocnsumer could not turn it at all. The contact used all of the strength in her arms to turn it a couple of inches avoid hitting a light post.
Fuel filler tube is rusted through and it leaks while fueling the car. Puddles underneath the car.
In hot weather the doors stick causing the outer door and inner panel to separate making it unable to be opened from outside nor inside. Have to keep pushing on door to make it unstuck before you can enter or get out. Large risk of being stuck inside car in heat.
Radio speaker stopped working, then smoking from passenger side door in the door handle. I fear for my children's safety.
The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the key housing assembly became detached from the key, causing the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they stated that the key housing assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure.
Headliner in back window has started to come down blocking rear view. The dashboard passenger side has come loose from behind glove box. This houses the air bag could prevent proper deployment or dangerous deployment if its ever needed. Lastly, the clear coat on the trunk has chipped away.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 7,585 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 21% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Galant has 64 complaints (28 years in the data). This year has 24, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
Other years of this model
- Galant 19864 sources
- Galant 19879 sources
- Galant 19887 sources
- Galant 198919 sources
- Galant 199021 sources
- Galant 199163 sources
- Galant 199239 sources
- Galant 19939 sources
- Galant 1994198 sources
- Galant 1995209 sources
- Galant 1996136 sources
- Galant 199780 sources
- Galant 199853 sources
- Galant 1999215 sources
- Galant 2000136 sources
- Galant 2001151 sources
- Galant 2002135 sources
- Galant 2003126 sources
- Galant 200461 sources
- Galant 200526 sources
- Galant 200724 sources
- Galant 20086 sources
- Galant 200916 sources
- Galant 20109 sources
- Galant 20113 sources
- Galant 20129 sources
- Galant 99994 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Mitsubishi Galant?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, air bags, service brakes. Total complaints: 24. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbags did not deploy (8%), headlights and tail lights (8%), infotainment or screen glitches (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2006 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 2006 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 2006 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.