Key Takeaways
- ea0 is this site's route label. Mitsubishi's recall 784 names the VR-4 series and lists the Galant as EC5A.
- The VR-4 has a 2.5-litre twin-turbo V6 and full-time four-wheel drive. GAZOO lists 280 PS with 5MT and 260 PS for the Type S 5AT; Mitsubishi's heritage overview pairs 280 PS with the 5AT.
- ABS is described across the launch range; AYC and ASC only on certain trim levels, so four-wheel drive alone does not show what a car has.
- Recall 784 lists 2,355 Galant EC5A built 7 August 1996 to 21 July 1998. That is an affected count, not production.
- A June 2004 notice covers 447 EC5A and EC5W built 18 August to 7 September 1996, for automatic-transmission wiring.
- The Legnum is a separately named wagon developed from the Galant; its codes and counts are not Galant sedan figures.
Background
Generation and range
Mitsubishi launched the eighth-generation Galant in August 1996 as the first mass-production model anywhere with a 1.8-litre Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine, and says it raised power by 10 percent, improved fuel consumption by 35 percent and cut CO2 by 35 percent. The body stayed close to its predecessor's size with 20 mm more height, and the car won Japan Car of the Year 1996-97. A 2.4-litre GDI model was added in August 1998, and in May 2000 a 2.0-litre GDI engine replaced the 1.8-litre GDI. The Legnum is a separately named wagon developed from the Galant.
VR-4 and safety systems
Mitsubishi's heritage overview describes the VR-4 as a 2.5-litre V6 intercooled twin-turbo with an INVECS-II Sport Mode five-speed automatic and viscous-coupled full-time four-wheel drive, with 280 PS and 37.0 kgf·m for the 6A13. GAZOO's August 1996 catalogue instead lists 280 PS and 37.0 kgf·m with the 5MT and 260 PS and 35.0 kgf·m for the Type S 5AT. Mitsubishi describes anti-lock braking across the launch range, with Active Yaw Control (AYC) and Active Stability Control (ASC) standard on certain trim levels. Which grades and build dates have AYC or ASC is not established here, so verify what the car has instead of inferring it from four-wheel drive.
Recalls
Recall 784, notified on 8 November 2001, covers the ASC brake system on the Galant and Legnum VR-4 series: a gas-charged accumulator diaphragm with insufficient durability could let gas into the brake fluid and reduce braking in the worst case. The remedy replaces the hydraulic system with one that has no gas accumulator. For the Galant EC5A it lists frames EC5A-0000015 to EC5A-0100910, built 7 August 1996 to 21 July 1998, and 2,355 cars; that is an affected count, not production. A separate notice filed on 30 June 2004 covers 447 EC5A and Legnum EC5W built 18 August to 7 September 1996: automatic-transmission wiring near the thermostat fitting could short and leave the automatic in third gear.
Servicing and UK imports
Mitsubishi's FAQ lists the 6A13 as a timing-belt engine; it gives no interval in the sources used. As a labelled comparison, Car and Driving's UK editorial history says official imports of turbocharged VR4 Galants began in summer 1999, using Japanese-market-specification cars modified on arrival, and calls them extremely rare. It does not give a grade or code.
Importing
US safety eligibility is 25 years from each car's manufacture date (49 CFR 591.5(i)); model years and Mitsubishi's launch dates do not determine it. Canada uses 15 years by manufacture month and year.
EPA separately requires at least 21 years by calendar-year subtraction and the original unmodified configuration. Engine equivalence means the same model and configuration as originally installed. EPA's published overview describes a restricted exception for equivalent or newer EPA-certified engines with their emission-control systems; confirm an engine-swapped car with EPA before shipping. State and provincial registration rules remain separate.
Technical Specifications
GAZOO distinguishes the launch VR-4 ratings by transmission; Mitsubishi's heritage overview gives a different pairing. The table preserves both sources' statements.
Engine Options
-
VR-4 / VR-4 Type S August 1996 launch catalogue
6A13 DOHC V6 intercooled twin-turbo- Displacement
- 2.5 L
- Aspiration
- Twin turbo, intercooled
- Power
- 280 PS (5MT) / 260 PS (Type S 5AT), per GAZOO
- Torque
- 37.0 kgf·m (5MT) / 35.0 kgf·m (Type S 5AT), per GAZOO
- Transmission
- 5MT / INVECS-II Sport Mode 5AT
GAZOO separates the launch versions. Mitsubishi's retrospective heritage overview instead describes 280 PS with the 5AT. Both use full-time 4WD.
Transmission Options
| Type | Availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 5-speed manual | VR-4 (launch) | GAZOO's August 1996 catalogue lists 280 PS and 37.0 kgf·m with it. |
| INVECS-II Sport Mode 5-speed automatic | VR-4 Type S | GAZOO lists 260 PS and 35.0 kgf·m; Mitsubishi's heritage overview pairs it with 280 PS and viscous-coupled four-wheel drive. |
Variants & Trims
Rows come from Mitsubishi's history pages. Grade names and codes other than the EC5A VR-4 are not established here.
| Generation | Trim | Engine | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eighth generation (ea0, Japan) | VR-4 (EC5A, from August 1996) | 6A13 2.5 L V6 intercooled twin turbo; launch 5MT: 280 PS, 37.0 kgf·m; Type S 5AT: 260 PS, 35.0 kgf·m (GAZOO) | Launch VR-4: 5MT; Type S: INVECS-II Sport Mode 5AT (GAZOO). Mitsubishi's heritage overview instead pairs 280 PS with the 5AT. Full-time 4WD; AYC and ASC depended on trim. Recall 784 covers ASC-equipped EC5A built 7 August 1996 to 21 July 1998. |
| Eighth generation (ea0, Japan) | 1.8 GDI (from August 1996) | 1.8 L Gasoline Direct Injection | Mitsubishi's first mass-production GDI car. ABS standard across the launch range. |
| Eighth generation (ea0, Japan) | 2.4 GDI (added August 1998) | 2.4 L Gasoline Direct Injection | Added in August 1998 (Mitsubishi). |
| Eighth generation (ea0, Japan) | 2.0 GDI (from May 2000) | 2.0 L Gasoline Direct Injection | Replaced the 1.8 L GDI in May 2000 (Mitsubishi). |
Should You Buy a Mitsubishi Galant EA0?
Why You'll Love It
- Mitsubishi-stated VR-4 hardware A 2.5-litre twin-turbo V6 with full-time four-wheel drive: GAZOO lists 280 PS with 5MT and 260 PS for the Type S 5AT, and Mitsubishi's heritage overview describes 280 PS with the 5AT.
- A published recall trail Mitsubishi published recall 784 by frame range and build window, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport published the 2004 notice, so completion can be checked per car.
Why You Might Not
- Equipment varies by trim AYC and ASC were standard only on certain trim levels, so four-wheel drive alone does not tell you what a car has.
- Recalls to check Recall 784 concerns the ASC brake hydraulics and the 2004 notice concerns automatic-transmission wiring; both depend on the frame number and build date.
- Little grade data Published launch figures distinguish the manual VR-4 from the Type S automatic. Verify the grade, transmission and date before applying either rating to a car.
Who Should NOT Buy This
- Anyone who assumes four-wheel drive means AYC: Mitsubishi says AYC and ASC were standard on certain trim levels only.
- Buyers planning an engine-swapped US import should confirm EPA eligibility first. EPA requires the original unmodified configuration and describes a restricted exception for equivalent or newer EPA-certified engines with their emission-control systems.
Common Issues & Solutions
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| ASC brake hydraulics (recall 784) | The ASC hydraulic unit's gas-charged accumulator diaphragm has insufficient durability; gas can enter the brake fluid and, in the worst case, reduce braking force. | Check the frame number and ask for proof the system was replaced with the improved version that has no gas accumulator. |
| Automatic-transmission wiring (June 2004 notice) | Automatic-transmission wiring near the thermostat fitting could be damaged by vibration and short, leaving the automatic in third gear or the speedometer unreliable. | Check whether the car is in the 18 August to 7 September 1996 build window and ask for proof the fitting was chamfered and the wiring inspected and protected. |
| Timing belt (6A13) | Mitsubishi's FAQ lists the 6A13 among the engines that use a timing belt. | Ask for dated belt-change records and confirm the replacement interval with a Mitsubishi specialist. |
Differences between JDM & USDM
This page describes the Japanese-market Galant. As a labelled UK comparison, Car and Driving's editorial history says official imports of turbocharged VR4 Galants began in summer 1999, using Japanese-market-specification cars modified for the UK on arrival, and calls them extremely rare. No export-market specification is used on this page.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Verify the equipment and recalls by frame number, then the belt history and paperwork.
High Priority
Medium Priority
Generation History
Generation span (Japan) (1996)
- On sale from August 1996 (Mitsubishi)
- Mitsubishi records engine changes to May 2000; the last build month is not established
Launch (August 1996)
- First mass-production car with a Gasoline Direct Injection engine (1.8 L), per Mitsubishi
- Launch VR-4: 280 PS with 5MT; Type S: 260 PS with 5AT (GAZOO). Mitsubishi's heritage overview instead gives 280 PS with the 5AT. Both have a 2.5 L twin-turbo V6 and full-time 4WD
- Japan Car of the Year 1996-97
2.4 GDI added (August 1998)
- A 2.4-litre GDI model joined the range
2.0 GDI replaces 1.8 GDI (May 2000)
- A 2.0-litre GDI engine replaced the 1.8-litre GDI
Recall 784 (8 November 2001)
- ASC brake hydraulics on Galant and Legnum VR-4 series
- Galant EC5A: 2,355 cars built 7 August 1996 to 21 July 1998
June 2004 notice (30 June 2004)
- EC5A and EC5W built 18 August to 7 September 1996: 447 vehicles; automatic-transmission wiring
In Pictures
The Buyer's Read
The EC5A VR-4 has a twin-turbo V6 and viscous-coupled full-time four-wheel drive. GAZOO lists 280 PS with the 5MT and 260 PS for the Type S 5AT, while Mitsubishi's heritage overview pairs 280 PS with the INVECS-II 5AT. AYC and ASC were standard on certain trim levels only, so verify the equipment and transmission on the car.
Then check the recalls by frame number and build date. Recall 784 covers the ASC brake hydraulics on EC5A frames from EC5A-0000015 to EC5A-0100910, built 7 August 1996 to 21 July 1998. The June 2004 notice covers EC5As built 18 August to 7 September 1996. Ask for proof of the work.
Ask for dated timing-belt records, because Mitsubishi lists the 6A13 as a belt engine. If the car is a non-VR-4 Galant, the engine line-up changed in August 1998 (2.4-litre GDI added) and May 2000 (2.0-litre GDI replaced the 1.8-litre). Import age is per car: the US counts 25 years from the manufacture date, EPA expects the original unmodified configuration, with a restricted exception for equivalent or newer EPA-certified engines and their emission-control systems that EPA should confirm, and Canada counts 15 years by build month.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is ea0 a Mitsubishi chassis code?
- No. It is this site's route label for the eighth-generation Galant. Mitsubishi's recall 784 names the Galant VR-4 as E-EC5A, and its engine history says the 6A13 was fitted to the VR-4.
- How much power does the Galant VR-4 make?
- GAZOO's August 1996 catalogue lists 280 PS and 37.0 kgf·m with the 5MT, and 260 PS and 35.0 kgf·m for the Type S 5AT. Mitsubishi's heritage overview instead describes 280 PS with the INVECS-II 5AT. Confirm the grade, transmission and build date from the car's documents.
- Do all four-wheel-drive Galants have AYC?
- AYC and ASC depended on trim. Mitsubishi's heritage overview describes ABS across the launch range. Verify the grade and equipment on the individual car.
- Which recalls affect the VR-4?
- Recall 784 (8 November 2001) covers the ASC hydraulics on Galant and Legnum VR-4 series, 2,355 Galant EC5A built 7 August 1996 to 21 July 1998. A 30 June 2004 notice covers 447 EC5A and EC5W built 18 August to 7 September 1996.
- Was the VR-4 sold in the UK?
- Car and Driving's UK editorial history says official imports of turbocharged VR4 Galants began in summer 1999, using Japanese-market-specification cars modified on arrival, and calls them extremely rare.
- Can I import an ea0 Galant to the US or Canada?
- US safety eligibility is 25 years from each car's manufacture date; model years and launch dates do not determine it. EPA separately requires at least 21 years by calendar-year subtraction and the original unmodified configuration. Engine equivalence means the same model and configuration. EPA describes a restricted exception for equivalent or newer EPA-certified engines with their emission-control systems; confirm swaps first. Canada uses 15 years by manufacture month and year. State and provincial registration remain separate.
Sources & References
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