NHTSA — Power Train: Automatic Transmission Problems

1996 Mitsubishi Galant (Page 1 of 2)

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
11,306 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Mitsubishi Galant transmission problems

transmission problem

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1996 Mitsubishi Galant Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #24

May 202005

Galant 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,388 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission fluid dipstick impossible to read, notified dealer, dealer said that's just how it is designed. I'm worried because tranmissions are a common failure on this generation of Mitsubishi Galant. Can this be corrected by a dipstick redesign?

- Charleston, WV, USA

problem #23

Apr 252004

Galant 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,498 miles
Transmission failed suddenly @ 96,498 miles in 1996 Mitsubishi Galant VIN# [xxx].....coleman taylor transmission/memphis tn attempted to rebuild transmission for 3 weeks.....had to remove and get another rebuilt transmission......4 days after picking car up.....gears 1-3 slam severely in and out of gears up and down......gears 4-5 ok an expressway......reported prob to coleman taylor....suggested (on a Saturday) to remove ground from battery to re-set computer and told to test drive....test drove and transmission began slamming in and out of gears 1-3 severely and making a terrible noice, causing driver to run into a ditch.....car is expected to be determined a totaled by progressive ins today...........air bag did not deploy either.........caused a $75 towing and fine by memphis police dept for failing to maintain outlook (they felt sorry for us!)...

- Germantown, TN, USA

problem #22

May 102003

Galant

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,450 miles
I was driving about 60 mph on the highway, when all of a sudden, the transmission shifted three times. The check engine light came on, and when I got home, the car would not go into reverse. The next day, I placed the gear in drive, and pressed the gas; it sounded as if the entire everything would fall out. My transmission has gone out without warning, and I know this is not normal. I now see that there is a transmission problem with these cars. Please make sure that Mitsubishi takes responsibility and compensate us, the consumers. If they don't, they will only lose customers. Thanks.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #21

Feb 232003

Galant 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Hi, I am writing this because we have had problems with this car for the past 4 years. The transmission only lasted for 1 or if we were lucky 2 years. Now we all ready put three of them in the car in the past 4 years, two were new and one was used. Now I know that may not seem like a lot of money to some people but when you are trying to support three kids that's a lot. Well my complaint is that why are we having these problems. The dealer said that it was a defect that when they built this car that they were test cars.and they said that as long as I own this car I will have this problem over and over. And the dealer who said it was the one in liverpool New York. So please if you can help let me now what I can do. Thank you.

- Oswego, NY, USA

problem #20

Dec 052002

(reported on)

Galant

  • miles
I owned my car for about 4 months when the first transmission went out at approx. 40000 miles warranty replacement. Approx. 1 year later that transmission went out, it was out of warranty at that time and I had to pay $1700 to repair it. 4 months after that the transmission went out a third time, I bought a used transmission and had it installed. The transmission still does not act right, shifting hard and thumping a lot. There is definitly something wrong with these cars and or transmissions.

- Leadwood, MO, USA

problem #19

Mar 201999

Galant

  • miles
On March 20, 1999 I purchased the Mitsubishi Galant from mark escude Toyota of 955 I-20 S. frontage rd jackson< ms 39204 (601) 948-3420. After leaving the dealership, about 15-20 miles away the transmission went out & had to be towed back. On March 24, 1999 we returned back to the dealership, 2 hours away, to pick up the car. Now, almost 30000 miles later the transmission has gone out once again, making this the third transmission to be placed in the vehicle. After going online & doing checks on the '96 Galant's transmission I discovered that there was cases after cases of the same Galant S series in which I have where the transmission was having to be replaced. Undoubtabley, there is something in this paticular model that is causing the transmission to fail. I have spoken with 2 differrent people with Mitsubishi motors & they feel that it is just coinsidence that the same year, make, & model with the same type transmission have the same problem. Please look into this problem because I feel that by putting another transmission in the car will not solve anything but only ruin another transmission costing the consumer.

- Greenville, MS, USA

problem #18

Sep 072002

Galant

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When accelerating the transmission lagged the kicked into gear. When it finally failed, it lagged and something popped and had no gears at all. The car did still run, pressing the gas did no good.

- Maryville, TN, USA

problem #17

Jul 252001

Galant

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission will stop pulling without warning. Dealer was informed about problem.

- Mcdonough, GA, USA

problem #16

Jan 292001

Galant

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Going 55mph on I-84 to waterbury ci. Car didn't accelerate to maintain speed going uphill. Stopped to check transmission fluid. Resevoir was full. On attempting to resune the journey the car went fwdd.

- New York, NY, USA

problem #15

Jan 292001

Galant

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- New York, NY, USA

problem #14

Sep 011999

Galant

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission had trouble shifting for a few days. At certain speeds the transmission would all of a sudden act like it was in neutral and then pop back into gear. One day, while attempting to take off from a stop light, the transmission would not go into gear. After replacing that one, we are starting to experience the same type of problems. Especially early in the morning when you first attempt to take off the car will not move. Even after letting it warm up for 10-15 minutes the same thing happens. Sometimes it will do the same thing when you take off from a stop sign into traffic. We just pray that when we get into the middle of the road it will pop back into gear. I hate this car and I am having trouble getting rid of it. Evidentally everyone is aware of the transmission problem--except Mitsubishi.

- Sparta, MO, USA

problem #13

Jul 211998

Galant

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission failed prematurely while driving on highway. Consumer has replaced transmission twice at 30,000 miles and 58,000 miles. In addition to recurring transmission problems, the head light plugs had burned out. The head light parts and the A/C system for the vehicle had been discontinued and the consumer does not know how to solve the problem. Engine oil leak near front crank seal. Oil pan gasket leaking.

- Hampton, CT, USA

problem #12

Sep 082000

(reported on)

Galant

  • miles
Transmission sounds as if it will fall out.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #11

Sep 082000

(reported on)

Galant

  • miles
Transmission sounds as if it will fall out.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #10

Nov 032000

Galant

  • miles
I bought my car in Sept.of 96 brand new. Four years later, my transmission fails me. I believe these transmissions need to be investigated and recall. Everywhere I call around for these transmissions, no one has thems or tells me they should have been recalled. These tranmissions are no good the car repair men tell me. Please investigate this matter. I really like my car but I shouldn't have to spend $1600-1800 for a transmission when this one should not have failed so quickly. Please respond to my inquiry. Thanks.

- Stone Mountain, GA, USA

problem #9

Aug 031998

Galant

  • miles
My 1996 Mitsubishi Galant had several problems including, brake pads had to be changed more than usual, transmission completely failed while parked. In addition, the windows /windshield were constantly foggy. The start key could only be taking out by pressing the break. I had problems with the power locks, they will not open, leaks from the sunroof. The horn completely stopped working after three years. The Mitsubishi dealer never issued a ball joint recall which I now found out was defective with the car and after returning my vehicle upon my lease termination they are requesting 1000 + dollars for wear and tear etc. The dealer has not properly followed guidelines and are been sued because of these failures and the customers who purchased these cars are been charged more money by the dealer.

- Hialeah, FL, USA

problem #8

Aug 251997

Galant

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
This car has had 3 transmissions including the original, still has problems.now that it is over warranty Mitsubishi says not problem but according to tsb9823014 it is., and other bulletins.dealer is no longer in business!!!

- Long Valley, NJ, USA

problem #7

Dec 231999

Galant

  • miles
Vehicle passed Maryland state inspection earlier that day, only to not be able to move in reverse later. Gearshift went into the reverse position easily, but car would not move, and emitted a scraping/hissing sound. Mitsubishi service center in annapolis, md says they will not pay for repairs, because we cannot produce receipts/paperwork to show all scheduled maintenance has been done. We feel this is obviously a manufacturers defect for this to occur at only 47,000 miles.

- Easton, MD, USA

problem #6

Sep 051999

Galant

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
My wife was stopped at a traffic light, tried to take off, but nothing. Transmission was gone. Dealer said things sometimes happen. Manufacturer said warranty was out at 60,000mi. Estimate was at $2600. Shop said it could not be rebuilt. They tried to blame on us and said it was over full on fluid. We've never put one drop in and even if it was over full it would not cause transmission to seize up in a matte of seconds. We had the car five months when this happened. I am very angry at the dealership and the mfg. For not disclosing this transmission problem. When I asked if this was a common problem they said, "oh, no"!

- Sparta, MO, USA

problem #5

Nov 101999

Galant

  • miles
Purchased vehicle 10/16/199, it had approx. 52,000 miles, since purchase transmission has been installed, air condition repaired and now there is something to do with the harmonic balance.

- Denmark, SC, USA

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