2003 MITSUBISHI GALANT Electrical System Problems

Check engine light suddenly came on and the vehicle lost all engine power and driving capabilities while driving at a low speed, turning a corner. There had been no other issues or indication of a failure of any kind. The car was pulled over on the roadside out of traffic and was able to be restarted with no problem. It was taken to a nearby auto parts store where they performed a free diagnostic check. The result that came back was generally regarding a vacuum issue in fuel system or lines. The gas cap lid and door were checked for proper closure and it was established they had been closed and sealed properly at the time the engine power failure occurred.

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR QUIT ON ME WHEN I WAS DRIVING IT

Mileage: 188,037

THE HORN WHICH IS PART OF THE AIRBAG STAYED ON WHEN I USED MY KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTE TO LOCK THE CAR. I HAD TO HIT THE HORN BUTTON IN THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE IT STOP. THE HORN ONCE AGAIN BECAME STUCK THE NEXT DAY WHEN I HONKED MY HORN ON THE FREEWAY TO PREVENT A CAR FROM COLLIDING WITH ME AS THEY TRIED TO SWITCH LANES. I COULD NOT GET THE HORN TO SHUT OFF THIS TIME AND HAD TO PULL OVER TO PULL OUT THE FUSE. I PLUGGED IN THE FUSE WHEN I ARRIVED HOME AND THE HORN CAME RIGHT BACK ON. I THEN USED A RUBBER MALLET TO TAP AROUND THE HORN BUTTON AND STEERING WHEEL WHICH FINALLY STOPPED THE HORN. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AS MY HORN WILL NOW NOT SOUND AT ALL. *TR

Mileage: 111,126

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI GALANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE DEFROSTER FAILED TO ACTIVATE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO USE THE TEMPERATURE CONTROLS AND SUDDENLY THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE DEFROSTER, A/C, OR HEATER WAS ACTIVATED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY WAS IMPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

Mileage: 87,000

I STARTED MY CAR IN THE AFTERNOON, THEN I TURNED ON MY RADIO 3 MINUTES LATER. THEN, I SMELLED LIKE SOMETHING BURNT, THAT'S WHEN I SAW SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER SEAT DOOR. I STOPPED IN A RANDOM TIRE SHOP TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON. A FEW MINUTES LATER, I SAW FIRE COMING OUT OF THE LOUDSPEAKER ON THE FRONT RIGHT DOOR. A GUY FROM THE TIRE SHOP HELPED ME TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. AFTER I MADE SURE THAT IT WAS SAFE ENOUGH FOR ME TO DRIVE, I DROVE MY CAR TO MY REGULAR AUTO SHOP TO GET IT CHECKED. THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR WAS MELTED (HALFWAY MELTED, BECAUSE THE FIRE WAS HANDLED EARLY) AND BLEW THE FUSE. *TR

TURNED HEAT ON AND HEARD A RATTELING NOISE UNDER DASH, WHEN HEAT CAME ON NOISE STOPPED. TURNED HEAT ON A WEEK LATER, NOTHING, ONLY COLD AIR. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SAYS HEATER CORE, AFTER REPLACING THERMOSTAT AND COOLANT SENSOR. DEALERSHIP SAYS HEATER CONTROL VALVE, EITHER WAY, WITH SEEING HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME THING, THERE IS CLEARLY A PROBLEM AT THE MANUFACTURING LEVEL. MAYBE MITSUBISHI SHOULD LOOK AT DOING SOMETHING LIKE ACCEPTING FULL RESPONSIBILITY AND REPAIRING THESE CARS. WITH THE ECONOMY WHAT IT IS THERE ARE FEW PEOPLE WHO ARE ABLE TO AFFORD THIS EXPENSE, MYSELF INCLUDED. SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP US! WHY SHOULD THE CONSUMER ALWAYS GET THE SHORT END OF THE STICK? *TR

HEAT STOPPED WORKING DUE TO A FAULTY HEAT CONTROL VALVE. FIRST IT STARTED MAKING A CLICKING NOISE AND NOW I HAVE NO HEAT AT ALL. *TR

THE PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT A YEAR AGO. THE CONSTANT RATTLING SOUND BEHIND THE DASHBOARD WHEN YOU FIRST TURN ON THE HEAT. AFTER ABOUT 10-15 SECS IT STOPS. THEN EVENTUALLY THE RATTLING SOUND STOPS COMPLETELY WHEN YOU TURN ON THE HEAT AND SO DOES THE HEAT AND THE DEFROSTER. I LOST HEAT THE FIRST TIME BACK AROUND DECEMBER OF 2008. IT CAME BACK ON WITHIN TWO WEEKS AND STAYED ON DURING THE WINTER. AROUND THE FIRST OF MAY, I LOST HEAT AGAIN AND IT HAS NOT BEEN BACK ON SINCE. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

IN 2007, HORN WOULD JUST BLOW ON IT'S OWN AT RANDOM TIMES. EVEN THOUGH THE BATTERY WAS ONLY ONE YEAR OLD AT THE TIME, I REPLACED IT AGAIN. LAST WEEK, 8/09/08 THE HORN JUST STARTED BLARING AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. IT NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT DUE TO ANOTHER CAR SWERVING OUT OF THE LANE NEXT TO MY VEHICLE AND INTO MY REAR DRIVER'S SIDE QUARTER-PANEL. SINCE THE FIRST INSTANCE, THERE SEEMS TO BE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, AS THE RADIO AND CLOCK ALWAYS RESET, THE TRIP ODOMETER RESETS TO ZERO, AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. THERE ARE NO BLOWN FUSES, AND NO DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. NO ONE OR BUSINESS CAN SEEM TO FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. IT WILL TAKE OVER $5000 TO REWIRE THE CAR. AS A WORKING CLASS CITIZEN, AND UNEMPLOYED VETERAN, I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY, NOR ACCESS TO IT. I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH WARPING ON THE ROTORS (TWICE). *TR

Mileage: 45,000

IN 2007, HORN WOULD JUST BLOW ON IT'S OWN AT RANDOM TIMES. EVEN THOUGH THE BATTERY WAS ONLY ONE YEAR OLD AT THE TIME, I REPLACED IT AGAIN. LAST WEEK, 8/09/08 THE HORN JUST STARTED BLARING AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. IT NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT DUE TO ANOTHER CAR SWERVING OUT OF THE LANE NEXT TO MY VEHICLE AND INTO MY REAR DRIVER'S SIDE QUARTER-PANEL. SINCE THE FIRST INSTANCE, THERE SEEMS TO BE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, AS THE RADIO AND CLOCK ALWAYS RESET, THE TRIP ODOMETER RESETS TO ZERO, AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. THERE ARE NO BLOWN FUSES, AND NO DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. NO ONE OR BUSINESS CAN SEEM TO FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. IT WILL TAKE OVER $5000 TO REWIRE THE CAR. AS A WORKING CLASS CITIZEN, AND UNEMPLOYED VETERAN, I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY, NOR ACCESS TO IT. I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH WARPING ON THE ROTORS (TWICE). *TR

Mileage: 45,000

HEATER IN CAR STOPPED WORKING DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE CONTROL MOTOR MR958603. *TR

Mileage: 71,673

MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR STARTED SMOKING AND IT MELTED THE WINDOW WIRING AND DOOR LOCK CLICKER AND THE MOTOR IN THE WINDOW AND MELTED THE DOOR A LITTLE BIT. IT SHOULD HAVE BLOWN THE FUSE FOR THE WINDOW BUT IT DIDN'T IT STARTED SMOKING . *TR

Mileage: 71,500

2003 MITSUBISHI GALANT 2.4 LITER 4 CYL. SYMPTOM: CLICKING IN THE DASH BOARD. HEAT WOULD SOMETIMES WORK AND SOMETIMES NOT. CLICKING STOPPED ABOUT A MONTH AGO AND SO DID THE HEAT. HEATER CONTROL VALVE OR MOTOR IS THE PROBLEM IT WOULD SEEM...A FIX OF 300-500 DOLLARS JUST TO GET HEAT. *TR

Mileage: 63,500

I PURCHASED A USED 2003 MITSUBISHI GALANT FROM A LARGE USED-CAR DEALERSHIP. ON THE NEXT DAY, THE HORN SOUNDED OFF SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF, REQUIRING ME TO PULL THE FUSE IN ORDER TO STOP THE SOUND. THE USED CAR DEALERSHIP DISCUSSED THE ISSUE WITH A MITSUBISHI DEALER, WHO ADVISED THEM TO REPLACE THE HORN AND THE HORN RELAY. THEY DID SO, BUT THE HORN ONCE AGAIN WENT OFF SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY JUST OVER A WEEK LATER. THE DEALERSHIPS COORDINATED THEIR REPAIR EFFORTS ONCE AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IT WAS DETERMINED, HOWEVER THAT A POOR GROUND CONNECTION ON THE HORN COULD BE THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATELY, JUST ONE WEEK LATER, THE HORN ONCE AGAIN WENT OFF WHILE IN THE DRIVEWAY AND CONTINUED TO BLARE UNTIL I PULLED THE FUSE. THE DEALERSHIP IS UNCERTAIN WHAT TO DO TO FIX THE INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. CLEARLY, FROM MY EXPERIENCE AND THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN REGISTERED WITH THE NHTSA OVER THIS ISSUE, THE GALANT HAS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE WITH RESPECT TO THE FUNCTIONING OF ITS HORN ASSEMBLY. DRIVERS, PASSENGERS AND PEDESTRIANS ARE AFFECTED BY THE UNSAFE NATURE OF THIS VEHICLE, AND A RECALL IS CERTAINLY REQUIRED. *NM

Mileage: 24,800

I HAVE A 2003 MITSUBISHI GALANT ES. IT HAS 69000 MILES. AS OF RIGHT NOW THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR HASN'T CAUSED AN ACCIDENT BUT I AM AFRAID IN THE FUTURE IT MIGHT. IT STARTED WITH THE RADIO STAYING ON EVEN AFTER THE KEY IS PULLED, THEN IT WENT TO THAT IF I USED THE WIPERS AND THE HEADLIGHTS AT THE SAME TIME, THE WIPERS WOULDN'T SHUT OFF UNTIL I SHUT THE HEADLIGHTS OFF. WE THEN HAD TO PULL THE FUSE FOR THE HORN, BECAUSE WHILE SITTING IN THE GARAGE, NOT RUNNING, HADN'T BEEN RUNNING FOR SEVERAL HOURS, THE HORN STARTED BLARING, AND WOULDN'T GO OFF UNTIL MY HUSBAND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. I AM SCARED FOR MY OWN SAFETY AS WELL AS OTHERS, TO USE THE CRUISE. I AM SCARED IT WILL STAY ON, AND I WOULD BE INVOLVED IN A SEVERE CRASH. PLEASE HELP, NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. *JB

Mileage: 48,000

I HAVE A 2003 MITSUBISHI GALANT ES. IT HAS 69000 MILES. AS OF RIGHT NOW THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR HASN'T CAUSED AN ACCIDENT BUT I AM AFRAID IN THE FUTURE IT MIGHT. IT STARTED WITH THE RADIO STAYING ON EVEN AFTER THE KEY IS PULLED, THEN IT WENT TO THAT IF I USED THE WIPERS AND THE HEADLIGHTS AT THE SAME TIME, THE WIPERS WOULDN'T SHUT OFF UNTIL I SHUT THE HEADLIGHTS OFF. WE THEN HAD TO PULL THE FUSE FOR THE HORN, BECAUSE WHILE SITTING IN THE GARAGE, NOT RUNNING, HADN'T BEEN RUNNING FOR SEVERAL HOURS, THE HORN STARTED BLARING, AND WOULDN'T GO OFF UNTIL MY HUSBAND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. I AM SCARED FOR MY OWN SAFETY AS WELL AS OTHERS, TO USE THE CRUISE. I AM SCARED IT WILL STAY ON, AND I WOULD BE INVOLVED IN A SEVERE CRASH. PLEASE HELP, NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. *JB

Mileage: 48,000

A FEW MONTHS AGO THE RADIO STARTED STAYING ON EVEN WHILE THE KEY WAS PULLED COMPLETELY OUT, THEN THE HORN FUSE HAD TO BE PULLED BECAUSE WHILE SITTING IN OUR GARAGE AND THE CAR NOT RUNNING, AND HADN'T BEEN RUNNING FOR 12 HOURS, THE HORN STARTED BLARING, UNTIL MY HUSBAND COULD DISCONNECT THE BATTERY, THEN WHILE DRIVING HOME ONE EVENING IN THE RAIN, I HAD THE WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS ON THE WIPERS WOULD NOT SHUT OFF, EVEN WHEN PUT IN THE OFF POSITION. THEY WOULD NOT SHUT OFF UNTIL I SHUT THE HEADLIGHTS OFF. I AM SCARED FOR MY SAFETY AS WELL AS OTHERS TO DRIVE MY CAR, AND ESPECIALLY TO USE THE CRUISE. I FEAR THAT IF I DO USE THE CRUISE IT WILL STAY ON, AND I WILL BE INVOLVED IN A DEADLY CRASH. NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT IS THE PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO REALLY ACT UP WHEN THE WEATHER IS DAMP OR WET. THE WIPERS WILL COME ON BY THEMSELVES IN THE OFF POSITION, WITH OR WITHOUT THE HEADLIGHTS. PLEASE HELP. *JB

Mileage: 48,000

A FEW MONTHS AGO THE RADIO STARTED STAYING ON EVEN WHILE THE KEY WAS PULLED COMPLETELY OUT, THEN THE HORN FUSE HAD TO BE PULLED BECAUSE WHILE SITTING IN OUR GARAGE AND THE CAR NOT RUNNING, AND HADN'T BEEN RUNNING FOR 12 HOURS, THE HORN STARTED BLARING, UNTIL MY HUSBAND COULD DISCONNECT THE BATTERY, THEN WHILE DRIVING HOME ONE EVENING IN THE RAIN, I HAD THE WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS ON THE WIPERS WOULD NOT SHUT OFF, EVEN WHEN PUT IN THE OFF POSITION. THEY WOULD NOT SHUT OFF UNTIL I SHUT THE HEADLIGHTS OFF. I AM SCARED FOR MY SAFETY AS WELL AS OTHERS TO DRIVE MY CAR, AND ESPECIALLY TO USE THE CRUISE. I FEAR THAT IF I DO USE THE CRUISE IT WILL STAY ON, AND I WILL BE INVOLVED IN A DEADLY CRASH. NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT IS THE PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO REALLY ACT UP WHEN THE WEATHER IS DAMP OR WET. THE WIPERS WILL COME ON BY THEMSELVES IN THE OFF POSITION, WITH OR WITHOUT THE HEADLIGHTS. PLEASE HELP. *JB

Mileage: 48,000

DT: 2003 MITSUBISHI GALANT - THE CAR STRUGGLES TO CHANGE GEARS. A NEW ENGINE WAS PLACED IN THE CAR, AND VEHICLE WAS STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH SHAKING. INFORMATION ON SERVICE PROVIDED WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF PURCHASE. HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE - DIAGNOSIS WITH ENGINE CYCLE MISFIRED AND FAULTY SPARK PLUGS. EVERY FOUR TO SIX MONTHS THERE WERE MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE. . ON 4/28/03 ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON, INDICATING ENGINE MISFIRED. REPLACED PISTON AND ENGINE HEAD. 9/1/04 SPARKS PLUG FAILED, AND CYLINDER MISFIRED. ON 9/10/04 THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. 12/17/04 ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS REPLACED. 3/28/05 DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED HOT WATER VALVE. ON 9/2/05 CRANK CASE SENSOR REPLACED. *AK

Mileage: 12,522

WHEN EVER I CRANK THE CAR UP IN THE MORNING OR AFTERNOON AFTER THE CAR SITS FOR A WHILE THE EXHAUST SMELLS LIKE BAD EGGS. THE RADIO/CD WAS REPLACE THREE TIMES ALREADY AND THE CD PLAYER STILL SOUNDS STATICTY WHEN PLAYIND DISC AND THE SPEAKERS POP WHEN THE RADIO IS COMPLETELY OFF. ALSO WHEN EVER SOME GETS IN AND OUT OF THE CAR THEY GET SHOCKED BY IT TO THE POINT WHERE U CAN ACTUALLY SEE THE SPARK FROM THE SHOCK. AND WHEN THE CAR IS JUST SITING RUNNING U CAN FEEL THE CAR SHAKE LIKE IT IS ABOUT TO CUT OFF.

WHEN EVER I CRANK THE CAR UP IN THE MORNING OR AFTERNOON AFTER THE CAR SITS FOR A WHILE THE EXHAUST SMELLS LIKE BAD EGGS. THE RADIO/CD WAS REPLACE THREE TIMES ALREADY AND THE CD PLAYER STILL SOUNDS STATICTY WHEN PLAYIND DISC AND THE SPEAKERS POP WHEN THE RADIO IS COMPLETELY OFF. ALSO WHEN EVER SOME GETS IN AND OUT OF THE CAR THEY GET SHOCKED BY IT TO THE POINT WHERE U CAN ACTUALLY SEE THE SPARK FROM THE SHOCK. AND WHEN THE CAR IS JUST SITING RUNNING U CAN FEEL THE CAR SHAKE LIKE IT IS ABOUT TO CUT OFF.