Selling a junk Mitsubishi Galant

Have a Galant with a dead engine, a front end that clunks or brakes you don't trust? You can sell the whole car as it sits. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, and pickup is free anywhere in the US.

Problems by era

These Galant complaint figures came from NHTSA on October 10, 2026, and they are not a reliability ranking. The last Galants built have also had the fewest years on the road. Wikipedia covers the Galant's generations up to the seventh. For the 1999-2012 cars, the years are grouped as EPA lists them.

1986-1993: fifth and sixth generations

The fifth generation (E10) was front-wheel drive with a 3-speed automatic, per Wikipedia. The sixth (E30, built 1987-1994) added all-wheel drive and the 4G63 2.0-liter DOHC engine, and was related to the Eclipse, Eagle Talon and Plymouth Laser. These years hold 171 complaints.

Seat belts lead from 1986 to 1989. Recall 95V103004 covered front buckle release buttons that can break on 1986-1989 Galants. That 658,000-vehicle campaign also reached other Mitsubishi models. On the 1991, 37 of 63 complaints name the power train. Recall 98V168000 covered transfer case lockup from low lubrication on all-wheel-drive 1990-1992 cars.

1994-1998: seventh-generation years

Wikipedia dates the seventh generation to 1992-1998, built in Nagoya and at Diamond-Star Motors in Normal, Illinois. Engines included a 1.8-liter 4G93, a 2.0-liter 4G63 and a 2.0-liter 6A12 V6. These years hold 676 complaints.

The 1994 and 1995 stand out: 198 and 209 complaints, with 34 and 32 crashes reported. Suspension leads both, with 51 and 64. Air bags come second, with 33 and 27. Front lower ball joints drew two recalls. 99V066001 (1994-1996) covered boots damaged at assembly that let in dirt and water. 00V421001 (1994-1998) had dealers replace joints worn past tolerance. Those campaigns counted 307,000 and 567,432 vehicles, Eclipses included. Smaller recalls: 98V212000, a stop lamp switch with grease on its contacts (1994-1995), and 00V237000, cracks in the top of the fuel tank from a bad weld (1995-1996).

1999-2003: the heaviest run

These five years hold 763 complaints, the most of any stretch. Hydraulic brakes lead on the 1999, 2001 and 2002, with 76, 26 and 25.

Two other numbers stand out. The 2000 has 16 complaints with a fire reported, the most of any Galant year. The 2001 has 40 with a crash reported, also the most. Several recalls from this period involve heat and wiring on V6 cars:

• 99V333001: the battery cable harness can be heat-damaged by the front exhaust manifold (1999-2000). Dealers remove a metal manifold bracket.
• 01V295001: the power steering feed tube can wear a hole against a heat shield (2000).
• 00V339000: rear seat harnesses that run the stop lamp circuit can rub the body (2001).

Recall 01V011001 replaced a transmission cooler hose on 1999-2001 automatics. That 277,227-vehicle campaign covered the Eclipse too.

2004-2012: the last Galants

Wikipedia gives production as ending in 2012. These years hold 178 complaints. Structure leads 2004 and 2005. Air bags lead the 2007, 2009 and 2010. Recall 08V276000 covers an ignition key interlock cable. Mitsubishi's notice describes 73,000 2004-2006 Galants. Recall 08V454000 covers a fuel tank strap bracket on 2005-2007 Galants, Endeavors and Eclipses.

Fix it or sell it?

Most Galants are now 14 to 40 years old. Hold the repair quote up against what the car would bring running.

1. Check the VIN at NHTSA's recall page for open campaigns.
2. Brake trouble on a 1999-2002? That's the pattern in the file. See bad or seized brakes.
3. Clunks or wander in the front on a 1994-1998? Ask whether the ball joint recall work was ever done. Then read broken suspension.
4. Burning smell or melted wiring on a V6? See electrical problems before you pour money into it.

Complaints and recalls by model year

From NHTSA's complaint file, October 10, 2026. "Fires" is the number of Galant complaints that mention one. A recall shows under each year it names, and plenty of them name several Galant years.

Selling the Galant whole

1. Note the VIN, mileage, engine (four or V6) and what's wrong.
2. Request an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Say where your Galant is parked and if it moves. Years on flat tires is fine, and our truck shows up set to load it. Pickup is free anywhere in the US.
4. Don't strip it. Leave the engine, converter and wheels in place, and mention anything already gone.
5. Have the title ready with a photo ID. Lost it? See selling with no title. Inherited the car? See inherited car.