The Lemon Index
2002
20048th generation
Better than average · most complaints: visibility
38 owner complaints, first 3 years 21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2003 Volkswagen Golf 1522003 Nissan Maxima 942003 Toyota Avalon 62
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 7,800 and 48,000 miles (13,000–77,000 km) (the middle half of the 21 complaints, of all 38 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 03V442000 (fuel system, gasoline) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Mitsubishi sent dealers 66 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Subject regarding front brake ringing noise”?
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 38 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 7K to 48K miles (13K to 77K km) on the car (21 of all 38 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
When the brake pedal was applied, they failed to respond which caused the consumer to hit a guardrail.
2003 Mitsubishi Galant owner · NHTSA complaint 10052236
More owner reports
Galant 2003, 55,000kms, grinding sound when turning the heater temp dial, sounds like heater control motor.
NHTSA complaint 10156448
The rear brake cylinders on the 2003 Mitsubishi Galant are leaking.
NHTSA complaint 10083756
Problems Mitsubishi told dealers about
Mitsubishi sent dealers 66 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Subject regarding front brake ringing noise
- Information on diagnosing a rattling noise heard from rear suspension of vehicle
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 …
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE RESTRICTED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM.
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–$3,600 (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. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2003 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mitsubishi-galant/?y=2003" 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/2003/">Lemon Index</a> (2003 Mitsubishi Galant reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2003 Mitsubishi Galant reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 72; 100 is average, lower is better). The Mitsubishi Galant year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2002.
What are the most common 2003 Mitsubishi Galant problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are visibility (26%), brakes (24%) and electrical (21%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 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 2003 Mitsubishi Galant get?
21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Mitsubishi Galant problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 7,800 and 48,000 miles (13,000–77,000 km) (the middle half of the 21 complaints, of all 38 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2003 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 2003 Mitsubishi Galant have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2003 Mitsubishi Galant cost in fuel a year?
About $2,850 to $3,600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Mitsubishi Galant have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Mitsubishi Galant year is better than the 2003?
Nearby, the 2002 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit over half as many complaints as the average car).
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