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ProblemsByVinFile / 2005-MITSUBISHI-GALANTNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Mitsubishi
2005 Mitsubishi Galant problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 26 owner complaints and 3 active recall campaigns. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2005 Mitsubishi Galant has 26 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is brakes at 6 complaints, typically surfacing around 13,917 miles (~$450 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2005 Galant?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
3 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2005 Mitsubishi Galant? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
brakes — 6 owner reports
· tends to show around 13,917 mi · ~$450 to fix
body — 5 owner reports
· tends to show around 50,000 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 3 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
body (~$1,500) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2005 Galant· electricalFire
My car would not start at all. After it being towed to a garage, they diagnosed the problem to be the electrical wiring harness. It was chafing against the engine and causing a short. When they replaced all the fuses the car sparked and smelled of smoke with small flames by the…
I have a black 2005 Mitsubishi galant. Within the past year the paint has been fading by turning a off white in some areas and it is spreading like cancer. I even have a spot that is getting rusted. I am not sure what to do but there needs to be a paint recall. I need my paint…
My son became trapped in the rear passenger seat belt of my 05 galant while driving. I pulled over to release the seat belt and it refused to unlock. Every attempt to remove my son from the seat belt caused his breathing to be further cut off, at which time we had no choice…
Nothing extraordinary leading up to this failure but on the morning of oct 4th I was driving my 2005 Mitsubishi galant ls at 55 MPH and experienced a total power steering failure. Fortunately I was able to slow the vehicle down and pull off to the side of the road. I then…
Had a problem with your 2005 Mitsubishi Galant?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Mitsubishi is recalling 45,988 my 2005-2007 endeavor, galant, eclipse coupe, and my 2007 eclipse spyder vehicles
Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect to see if the left rear fuel tank strap mounting bracket has splitting beyond a specific limit. Vehicles
with moderate to severe splitting will be repaired using a reinforcement cap, a special structural adhesive, and a rivet to reinforce the fuel tank mounting bracket. The recall began on september 20, 2008. Owners may contact Mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037.
Mitsubishi is recalling 73,000 my 2004-2006 gallant passenger vehicles
If the driver does not shift to park before removing the key and fails to engage the parking brake, the vehicle could roll and a crash could occur.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and correct these vehicles for the reported condition. The recall began on september 2, 2008. Owners may contact Mitsubishi at 1-888-648-7820.
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with anti-lock brakes, the brake master cylinder, which controls the fluid pressure to the vehicle's brakes, may allow brake fluid to bypass internally during stopping
This may result in a partial loss of braking, increased stopping distances, and could lead to a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. The recall began on october 3, 2005. Owners may contact Mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037.
Common questions
Is the 2005 Mitsubishi Galant reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Mitsubishi Galant is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2005 Mitsubishi Galant?
The 2005 Mitsubishi Galant is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2005 Mitsubishi Galant?
Inspect the brakes first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 6 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 13,917 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2005 Mitsubishi Galant a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 26 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is brakes. Typical failure occurs around 13,917 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2005 Mitsubishi Galant?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 6 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 13,917 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The brakes is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 13,917 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Mitsubishi Galant has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2005 Mitsubishi Galant?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 26 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $450, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Mitsubishi/Galant.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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