The Lemon Index
200120038th generation
Better than average · most complaints: brakes
Fewest complaints of its generation (8th generation).
56 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2002 Volkswagen Golf 3442002 Nissan Maxima 972002 Toyota Avalon 41
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 15,000 and 38,000 miles (24,000–61,000 km) (the middle half of the 25 complaints, of all 56 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 09E025000 (lights), 04V428000 (equipment) and 02V147000 (electrical) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Mitsubishi sent dealers 99 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Subject regarding corrected power train control module backup power supply circuits”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Mitsubishi's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 56 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 15K to 38K miles (24K to 61K km) on the car (25 of all 56 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Ongoing- from date of purchase fails to stop even after brakes replaced.ust use brights in order to have any visibility from headlights.
2002 Mitsubishi Galant owner · NHTSA complaint 10036924
More owner reports
While traveling at 25 mph, consumer states vehicle t-bone another car and none of the vehicles airbags deployed. Please provide any further information. Ts
NHTSA complaint 8022408
Consumer loss control of the vehicle and rear ended another car, and none of the air bags deployed.
NHTSA complaint 10009684
Problems Mitsubishi told dealers about
Mitsubishi sent dealers 99 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Subject regarding corrected power train control module backup power supply circuits
- This bulletin corrects fuel pump relay terminal numbers, wiring diagrams, and adds inmportant…
- Bulletin review regarding tsb-02-13-009 to correct the power train control module (pcm) backup…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Lights · recall issued 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Equipment · recall issued 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 …
- Electrical · recall issued 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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Mitsubishi Galant recall, all years · All Mitsubishi recalls
Government investigations
- ClosedPassenger door fire2008–2009
- ClosedPassenger door fire2008
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,850–$3,750 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
Every Mitsubishi Galant year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2002 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mitsubishi-galant/?y=2002" title="Mitsubishi Galant reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/mitsubishi-galant/2002/">Lemon Index</a> (2002 Mitsubishi Galant reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew a bit over half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 56; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2002 Mitsubishi Galant problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (41%), airbags (18%) and electrical (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant have?
3 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant get?
20 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Mitsubishi Galant problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 15,000 and 38,000 miles (24,000–61,000 km) (the middle half of the 25 complaints, of all 56 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2002 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant cost in fuel a year?
About $2,850 to $3,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Mitsubishi Galant year than the 2002?
Not nearby: the 2002 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Mitsubishi Galant years within 3 model years of it.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works