What year Mitsubishi Galant should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2007 and 2009 Galant. The 2009 has the highest complaint index (100) and the 2007 the second-highest (86), both driven mainly by airbag non-deployment reports.

What is the best year for the Mitsubishi Galant?

The 2012 Galant is rated Best, with the lowest complaint index (14) of all years covered, 2005-2012, and its top problem area was Suspension, Wheels & Tires rather than airbags.

Is the 2009 Mitsubishi Galant reliable?

NHTSA data shows the 2009 Galant has the highest complaint index (100) among Galant years, with airbags making up 63% of its complaints, so it is one of the two years rated Avoid.

Does the Mitsubishi Galant have airbag problems?

Airbags are the top overall problem area for the Galant, accounting for 32 of 117 total complaints (27%) across all years, with the 2007 and 2009 model years showing the highest share.

Are there recalls on the Mitsubishi Galant?

NHTSA lists 4 total recall campaigns across the 2005-2012 Galant years, including a fuel tank strap mounting bracket recall (08V454000) affecting the 2005-2007 model years.

Mitsubishi Galant Best and Worst Years (2005–2012)

Avoid the 2007 and 2009 Mitsubishi Galant, with complaint indexes of 86 and 100, both dominated by airbag non-deployment reports. The 2012 Galant is rated Best with the lowest complaint index (14) among the years covered, 2005-2012.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2007 Avoid 2009 Best 2012

Model years: 8; 2005–2012
NHTSA complaints: 117
Recall campaigns: 4
Crashes reported: 18
Fires reported: 2
Top problem area: Airbags

Galant Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Mitsubishi Galant problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	Good	29	26	1	1	3	Brakes	21	—
2006	Caution	57	24	4	1	1	Electrical System	21	—
2007	Avoid	86	24	5	0	1	Airbags	21	—
2008	Good	0	6	0	0	0	Engine	21.5	—
2009	Avoid	100	16	3	0	0	Airbags	21	—
2010	Good	43	9	2	0	1	Airbags	24	—
2011	No verdict	71	3	2	0	0	Airbags	24	—
2012	Best	14	9	1	0	0	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	24	—

Galant years to avoid: what went wrong

2009 Mitsubishi Galant Index 100 · 16 complaints · 0 recalls

The 2009 Galant has the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100 and ranks worst overall. Airbags account for 63% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 93,461.5; owners describe airbags not deploying during frontal and rear-end crashes. Structure & Body and Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints each make up 25% of the year's reports, with much lower median mileages of 17,281.5 and 21,500 respectively, suggesting some issues surfaced early. NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year.

2007 Mitsubishi Galant Index 86 · 24 complaints · 1 recalls

The 2007 Galant has a complaint index of 86 and ranks second-worst of the years covered. Airbags are the top problem area, making up 33% of complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 76,750 miles; owners report airbags failing to deploy in crashes, including rollovers and frontal impacts. Brakes and engine issues follow, with brake complaints showing a lower median mileage of 28,000. NHTSA also lists one recall (08V454000) for a fuel tank strap mounting bracket that could split on 2005-2007 Galant, Endeavor, and Eclipse models.

Most common Mitsubishi Galant problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Airbags32 (27%)
Structure & Body19 (16%)
Electrical System18 (15%)
Brakes17 (15%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires16 (14%)
Engine15 (13%)
Other9 (8%)
Fuel System7 (6%)
Seat Belts7 (6%)
Steering6 (5%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What year Mitsubishi Galant should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2007 and 2009 Galant. The 2009 has the highest complaint index (100) and the 2007 the second-highest (86), both driven mainly by airbag non-deployment reports.
What is the best year for the Mitsubishi Galant?: The 2012 Galant is rated Best, with the lowest complaint index (14) of all years covered, 2005-2012, and its top problem area was Suspension, Wheels & Tires rather than airbags.
Is the 2009 Mitsubishi Galant reliable?: NHTSA data shows the 2009 Galant has the highest complaint index (100) among Galant years, with airbags making up 63% of its complaints, so it is one of the two years rated Avoid.
Does the Mitsubishi Galant have airbag problems?: Airbags are the top overall problem area for the Galant, accounting for 32 of 117 total complaints (27%) across all years, with the 2007 and 2009 model years showing the highest share.
Are there recalls on the Mitsubishi Galant?: NHTSA lists 4 total recall campaigns across the 2005-2012 Galant years, including a fuel tank strap mounting bracket recall (08V454000) affecting the 2005-2007 model years.