Complaints
110
Crashes
12
Fires
1
Injuries
7
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1997 Mitsubishi Galant Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#112 complaints
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
Avg mileage:44,500 mi
#27 complaints
Air Bags:Frontal
Avg mileage:84,500 mi
Crash-related:6
#36 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:118,925 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 12 | — | — | 44,500 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 7 | 6 | — | 84,500 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 6 | — | — | 118,925 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 5 | 1 | — | 60,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Horn | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Floor Shift | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Latches / Locks | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Bumpers | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Airbags | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wiring & Fuses | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 | — | — | — |
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
44,500
Air Bags:Frontal
7
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
—
Avg Miles
84,500
Automatic Transmission
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
118,925
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
60,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Horn
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Floor Shift
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches / Locks
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Manual Transmission
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Bumpers
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wiring & Fuses
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Other Equipment
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Mitsubishi Galant Years
1997 Mitsubishi Galant — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1997 Mitsubishi Galant has 110 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint with 12 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant?
Top reported problems: Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint (12 complaints, avg 44,500 mi); Air Bags:Frontal (7 complaints, avg 84,500 mi); Automatic Transmission (6 complaints, avg 118,925 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 71,302 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant?
NHTSA complaints for the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant include 12 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 7 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1997 Mitsubishi Galant?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Mitsubishi Galant reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1997 Mitsubishi Galant
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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