Mitsubishi Galant Fortis: common faults & what to check

Which Mitsubishi Galant Fortis are you looking at?

6 generation variants documented. Pick the shape you recognise: the faults, the servicing and the timeline below all narrow to it. Free, no account needed.

Petrol

4 variants documented

2000–2007CS2000–2007CS1.5 petrolPetrolDocumented issues3 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: OSX via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain.

2000–2007CS2000–2007CS2.0L petrol (4G63-T)PetrolDocumented issues3 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: OSX via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain.

2007–2017CJ2007–2017CJ2.0L petrol (4B11-T)PetrolDocumented issues13 knownSee faults & what to checkKickTyres illustration, not a photograph.

2007–2017CJ2007–2017CJ2.4 petrolPetrolDocumented issues8 knownSee faults & what to checkKickTyres illustration, not a photograph.

Engine not documented

2 variants documented

1991–1996CB1991–1996CBEngine not documented for this generationEngine not documentedDocumented issues0 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: User 3204 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

1995–2003CK1995–2003CKEngine not documented for this generationEngine not documentedDocumented issues1 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Kuha455405 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

Start your free check on this Mitsubishi Galant Fortis

No plate needed. You get the risk score, the buyer's checklist and the guided inspection for the exact car you picked above — not the whole nameplate.

The checks worth doing on a Mitsubishi Galant Fortis before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

• Serious issue

  Listen carefully on cold start for a metallic rattling from the top of the engine.

  See why

  4B11T Timing Chain Tensioner Wear at High Mileage (Evo X)

  Unlike the belt-driven 4G63, the 4B11T uses a timing chain. The chain tensioner and guide rails are subject to wear at high mileage, particularly on vehicles that have had infrequent oil changes or that have been used on track. A worn tensioner causes the chain to develop slack, producing a rattling noise on cold start that may clear once oil pressure builds. If chain slack is not addressed, the chain can jump a tooth or fail entirely, causing catastrophic valve and piston damage. This failure becomes more prevalent above 150,000 km.

  What you would notice

  • Cold-start rattle from top of engine that clears after 5–10 seconds
  • Persistent chain rattle at idle that does not clear
  • Rough idle or misfires if chain has jumped a tooth
  • Check engine light with camshaft position timing codes
  • Engine knock or catastrophic failure if chain breaks

  Typically $1,500–$5,000 to put right.

• Serious issue

  Check oil level and colour on dipstick.

  See why

  4B11 Oil Pump Drive Gear Wear

  The 4B11 2.0L engine uses a chain-driven oil pump whose drive gear teeth wear prematurely, particularly on vehicles with infrequent oil changes or those that have been run low on oil. As the gear degrades, oil pressure drops progressively until the warning light illuminates. At that point bearing surfaces and crankshaft journals can be damaged within seconds of continued running. The failure mode is sudden rather than gradual and often results in total engine loss requiring replacement.

  What you would notice

  • Oil pressure warning light illuminates at idle or under load
  • Ticking or knocking from lower engine block
  • Oil pressure gauge reading low
  • Engine seizure in unaddressed cases

  Typically $800–$4,500 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Check CVT fluid level and colour — should be clean pink or light red, not brown or dark.

  See why

  INVECS-III CVT Belt and Pulley Wear

  The Lancer CJ with automatic transmission uses Mitsubishi's INVECS-III CVT featuring a steel push-belt running between two variable-diameter pulleys. The CVT fluid degrades relatively quickly under load and must be replaced every 40,000km; failure to do so causes belt slippage, accelerated pulley wear, and transmission overheating. Once belt slip begins the wear is self-accelerating and the unit typically enters limp-home mode or fails entirely. Rebuilt CVT units are scarce in the NZ and AU market, making replacement with a used unit the most common repair path, though donor unit reliability is also uncertain.

  What you would notice

  • Transmission slipping or surging during acceleration
  • Delayed or hesitant response when throttle is applied
  • Transmission warning light on dashboard
  • Burning smell from under the vehicle after hard driving

  Typically $3,000–$8,000 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Check CVT fluid condition and level — fluid should be pink/red and clean, not brown or burnt-smelling.

  See why

  Jet-CVT Shudder and Judder Under Load

  The Invecs-III Jet-CVT fitted to standard Lancer models develops a shudder or vibration felt through the drivetrain under light throttle acceleration, particularly between 30–80 km/h. Caused by torque converter lock-up clutch slip and deteriorated CVT fluid losing its friction-modifier properties. Can escalate to full CVT slipping and overheating if fluid is not changed at the correct interval. Mitsubishi issued revised fluid specifications and reduced service intervals to address this. Full CVT replacement is required if the unit is allowed to run dry or overheat.

  What you would notice

  • Vibration or shudder felt through body at light throttle 30–80 km/h
  • Judder when pulling away from rest
  • Delayed engagement from Park or Neutral
  • Transmission warning light illuminated
  • CVT overheating fault codes

  Typically $350–$5,500 to put right.

• Costly issue

  With front wheels raised, grasp the wheel at 12 and 6 o'clock and check for vertical play in the upper ball joint.

  See why

  Front Upper Control Arm Ball Joint Wear (Evo VII–IX)

  The front upper control arm ball joints on Evo VII–IX wear prematurely under the combination of high lateral cornering forces and the high-caster suspension geometry. Worn upper ball joints produce vague steering, increased positive camber on the affected side, and knocking over bumps. Failure of the ball joint is a critical safety risk as the joint can separate under load, causing sudden loss of steering. Aftermarket pillow ball replacements are available and are commonly used in performance applications but require more frequent inspection.

  What you would notice

  • Knocking or clunking from front suspension over bumps
  • Vague or loose steering feel
  • Uneven tyre wear — excessive wear on outer shoulder
  • Positive camber visible on one or both front wheels
  • Steering pulling to one side

  Typically $400–$1,100 to put right.

• Costly issue

  With vehicle safely raised, grip the lower arm at its inner pivot point and apply fore-aft and lateral force.

  See why

  Front Lower Arm Inner Bush Failure & Steering Shimmy

  The front lower control arm inner pivot bushes on the CJ Lancer and CZ4A Galant Fortis degrade prematurely due to the original rubber compound hardening and cracking under NZ road and climate conditions. Failure allows the lower arm to deflect longitudinally and laterally under braking and cornering loads, producing vague steering feel, highway shimmy between 90 and 110 km/h, and wander on cambered roads. The bush deflection moves geometry beyond alignment compensation limits, causing accelerated front tyre edge wear. Both lower arms typically require simultaneous bush replacement to permit correct caster and camber alignment.

  What you would notice

  • Steering shimmy or vibration between 90 and 110 km/h on motorway
  • Vague or wandering steering requiring constant correction
  • Uneven or feathered tyre wear on front inner or outer edge
  • Clunk from front suspension over road joints or undulations
  • Vehicle pulling under braking

  Typically $450–$1,000 to put right.

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Mitsubishi Galant Fortis’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

• Cambelt Replacement Cost
• Timing Chain Replacement Cost
• CVT Gearbox Repair Cost
• EGR Valve and Cooler Repair Cost

Other Mitsubishi models