MitsubishiGalant19892.0L/mitsubishi/galant/1989/2-0l/

1989 Mitsubishi Galant — 2.0L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1989 Galant 2.0L. Covers both the standard and High Output 2.0L.

Engine 2.0LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1989 Mitsubishi Galant 2.0L pairs its 2.0-liter engine with a four-speed automatic transmission, carries EPA fuel-economy ratings of 19 city/26 highway/22 combined mpg, and requires 4.0 quarts of engine oil in 20W-40, 10W-30, or 5W-30 API viscosity grades. In owner-reported complaint data, the 1989 model generated 20 complaints, with seat belts cited as the top concern and a single recall on record. That complaint count sits below the 263-complaint peak recorded for the 1994 model year and above the three-complaint low of 2011 within the 1990–2012 tracking window, indicating the 1989 Galant experienced a lighter complaint load than the worst documented years but more reported issues than the most trouble-free years in that range.

Model year19931992199119901989

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type20W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy19/26/22 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter MZ690116. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tire size4WD:P225-75R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterMZ690116
Engine air filterMD620090 alt MR571477
Fuel filterMB504761
Spark plugMS851238
Front wiper bladesMZ693015 alt MZ690131
Serpentine beltMD178429 alt MD186126
ThermostatMD972903 alt MD997608

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 26 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume94 cu ft
Cargo volume11 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

No 1989 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

7.0–9.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.00 sec — 1991 VR-4 Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1990GSX Sedan 2.0L I-49.40 sec17.10 sec195 hpAWD
1991VR-4 Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-47.00 sec15.60 sec237 hpAWD
1991VR-4 Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-47.30 sec15.60 sec237 hpAWD
1991VR-4 Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-47.90 sec15.80 sec237 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.0 qt of 20W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil20W-40 · API · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.0 qt
Power Steering FluidUse Mitsubishi PS fluid

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 50,000 miFuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect)
Every 60,000 miBalance Shaft Drive Belt (replace) · Timing Belt (replace) · Vacuum Line (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1989 Mitsubishi Galant’s top complaint areas were Seat Belts (8), Power Train (4), Vehicle Speed Control (2), and Service Brakes, Hydraulic (1), with 3 crash and 1 fire complaints recorded. Federal data for the generation begin in 1990, showing 24 complaints that year, rising to a peak of 263 complaints in 1994 before declining through the 2000s. Compared with the 1990‑2012 trend, the 1989 complaint counts in these categories are lower than the mid‑1990s highs and similar to the early‑1990s lows. The JSON does not provide recall, investigation, or TSB figures for 1989, so the data does not specify any recall activity for that year. Given the relatively low reported complaint figures and the absence of indicated recall concerns in the record, the 1989 Galant appears to be a comparatively sound choice among the generation, pending verification of any outstanding recalls.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
9
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
20
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 1 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 20 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Seat Belts8
Power Train4
Vehicle Speed Control2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
Wheels1
Unknown Or Other1
Electrical System1
Structure1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

95V103004Seat Belts:Front:Buckle AssemblyReported 24/05/1995

THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY. Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 9 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TT2532019-11-26EquipmentThis is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
TSB-19-00-0082019-07-30EquipmentThis is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin supersedes…
TT2372018-02-26EquipmentThis is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
TSB-13-42A-0022013-01-29StructureThis Technical Service Bulletin updates the door adjustment procedure in the Body Section…
TSB99110071999-06-01Engine And Engine CoolingINFORMATION REGARDING CYLINDER HEAD GASKETS FOR REMANUFACTURED SHORT BLOCKS. *TT

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Galant. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1989 Galant 2.0L take?

4.0 qt of ABOVE 32 degrees F: 20W-40 API, ABOVE -10 degrees F: 10W-30 API, BELOW 60 degrees F 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1989 Galant have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.0L get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined mpg.