NHTSA — Visibility: Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System Problems

2.1

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
77,500 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Mitsubishi Galant windows / windshield problems

windows / windshield problem

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2003 Mitsubishi Galant Owner Comments

problem #8

Aug 022014

Galant

  • 87,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Long Island, NY, USA

problem #7

Jan 202014

Galant

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Mitsubishi Galant. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the heat control module was activated but cold air began to circulate out of the vents. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was awaiting a diagnosis of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

- Milford, OH, USA

problem #6

Feb 042011

Galant 4-cyl

  • miles
In the late winter of 2011 my car heater began to make strange noises then would work fine. Soon after that happened, the heat stopped working. Only cold air would push through the system. I understand that the ac is not considered a necessity, but I beg to differ on heat, considering our technological state. A heater keeps windows defrosted and clear of humidity that would otherwise cloud vision or worse, completely hinder total visibility. The idea of having heat in a car seems like a luxury but, in reality it is really a basic driving need. There is absolutely no excuse as to why a consumer should pay $20,000, brand new, for a car that's heater is all too often broke before 60,000 miles. The cost of repair can easily cost $1000, due to the labor. There have been accounts of them breaking again, one year later. The heater system needs to be researched and addressed in the 03' Galants. It keeps the windows clear so consumers can safely drive their car.

- Slatersville , RI, USA

problem #5

Sep 182010

Galant 6-cyl

  • 75,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2003 Galant ES. V-6 motor. Had to replace heater control valve due to no heat. Clicking noise from time to time then nothing as well as no heat. No sooner did I replace that and then heat selector quit working. Can not change from vents to defrost. Mechanic said heater box warped and cost about $2500 to fix this. Now pulling into the driveway, the radiator burst open on the front side. About a 4 inch opening just to the right side of cap if you are facing the car. Mechanic has said all of this is very common in these cars and Mitsubishi should have done something to take care of these problems as every Galant made has had same issues..

- Boise, ID, USA

problem #4

May 102008

Galant

  • 69,000 miles
My 2003 Mitsubishi Galant has a failed heater control motor. It started going bad over a year ago (clicking noises on actuation) and has finally stopped working altogether. It is stuck on 'cold' and does not switch over to heat under any conditions. On researching this problem, it seems many other people are experiencing the same issue. The volume of similar complaints and relatively high expense of fixing the problem on cars that aren't that old seems to indicate a fault in the design of this mechanism. A recall by Mitsubishi which would cover the costs of repair should be issued.

- Louisville, KY, USA

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problem #3

Feb 152008

Galant 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 160,000 miles
Fall of 2007 I flipped from ac to heat. There was clicking inside the dash and it finally switched over. Had to switch back to ac on warm day and the clicking was there again and it eventually went from heat to cold. Finally I flipped it back a week or two ago on a cold morning, no clicking and no heat at all. I've reached under the dash pushing the white lever back and forth thinking maybe it was just the cable that's stretched but that's not the case. I took the white lever off (just 1 screw) and turned the little gear by hand. Clockwise is to cold and when it gets all the way it stops. Counter-clockwise is heat and when I get to the end it clicks like the earlier clicking like it's stripped out somewhere in the dash. There's a lot of complaints about this on the internet and I believe one other similar complaint on this site. I believe this should be considered a subject for recall that the manufacturer should compensate its customers for.

- Watkinsville, GA, USA

problem #2

Dec 292007

Galant 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,000 miles
It started with a clicking noise when I turned the temperature control knob from cold to hot. Now the heater only blows cold air. This happened in a matter of 2 days. The windshield fogged up creating a very dangerous situation. I live in a town where nobody wants to work on a Mitsubishi. Looks like I'll drive 100 miles to get it fixed. How many more have to break before Mitsubishi fixes their problem?

- Ardmore, OK, USA

problem #1

Feb 192007

Galant 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2003 Galant that the heater just suddenly quit working on it. It has been diagnosed as a heater control motor. With the cost exceeding $300 to repair. Worked fine then just quit.

- Melba, ID, USA

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