2009 Mitsubishi Galant problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 16 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2009 Mitsubishi Galant has 16 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 10 complaints, typically surfacing around 104,240 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 Galant | 24 | 1 |
| 2007 Galant | 24 | 1 |
| 2008 Galant | 6 | 0 |
| 2009 Galant (this page) | 16 | 0 |
| 2010 Galant | 9 | 1 |
| 2011 Galant | 3 | 0 |
| 2012 Galant | 9 | 0 |
Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.6/10 — above the segment average
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 2009 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
- airbags — 10 owner reports · tends to show around 104,240 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- body — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 34,500 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 104,240 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.6/10 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.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2009 Mitsubishi Galant
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.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 2 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
When going in reverse the car makes a horrible loud noise. The car is still in factory condition and not using any aftermarket parts. Dealer states they have tore down the rear end of another car and lubed and oiled and sat for overnight and did the same noise. Seems to be a…
I was completely stopped, waiting to make a left turn when a car barrelled up behind me and hit me from behind. The impact caused my car to be thrown into the lane of oncoming traffic, and another car hit me head-on. My car was being tossed around like a tin can. When it…
Tl*the contact owns a 2009 Mitsubishi galant. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a frontal crash but the air bags did not deploy. There were no prior problems with the air bags. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The…
I was driving about 60 miles per hour on the highway around 3:00 pm on a weekday and my sunroof just shattered into thousands of pieces, it sounded like a gunshot when it broke. I swerved into the next lane, nothing happened but this incident could of been a lot worse. At the…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2009 Mitsubishi Galant reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.6 out of 10 based on 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 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 2009 Mitsubishi Galant?
On the NHTSA data, the 2009 Mitsubishi Galant does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.6/10 — above the segment average. 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 2009 Mitsubishi Galant?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 10 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 104,240 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 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 2009 Mitsubishi Galant a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 16 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 104,240 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 2009 Mitsubishi Galant?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 10 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 104,240 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 104,240 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 2009 Mitsubishi Galant?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 16 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, 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.