Model year guide

2002 Mitsubishi Galant

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2002 Mitsubishi Galant is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 40 on record.

2002 Mitsubishi Galant — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2002 Mitsubishi Galant at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints142
Combined21 mpg
Typical price$1,192

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2002 Mitsubishi Galant recalls 3

Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood NHTSA Campaign #02V147000 · 29/05/2002

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, ROUTING OF THE VEHICLE'S FRONT HARNESS CAN ALLOW IT TO COME IN CONTACT WITH A ROUGH EDGE, ALLOWING ABRASION. THIS COULD RESULT IN GROUNDED CIRCUITS.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTOR, ELIMINATING ANY HARNESS CONTACT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 8, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-003…

Equipment:other:labels NHTSA Campaign #04V428000 · 01/09/2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Fix: MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EX…

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #09E025000 · 11/05/2009

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2002 Mitsubishi Galant common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 142 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Visibility
Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.

2002 Mitsubishi Galant safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2002 Mitsubishi Galant MPG & running costs

Combined21 mpg
City18 mpg
Highway25 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,450

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2002 Mitsubishi Galant worth?

Low
$800
Typical price
$1,192
High
$1,700

From 30 comparable 2002 Mitsubishi Galant listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2002 Mitsubishi Galant costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$17,250
Fuel only$17,250
Per mile$0.23

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2002 Mitsubishi Galant trims & engines on record

Trims
ES · GTZ V6 · LS · DE
Engines
2.4L · 3.0L

2002 Mitsubishi Galant vehicles on record

Other Mitsubishi Galant model years

2002 Mitsubishi Galant — frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant?

Based on 142 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, air bags, exterior lighting.

What is the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant crash-test ratings of frontal 4★, side 3★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant at about 21 mpg combined (18 city / 25 highway).

How much is a 2002 Mitsubishi Galant worth?

Comparable 2002 Mitsubishi Galant listings run roughly $800–$1,700, typically around $1,192 (from 30 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.