Mitsubishi 3000GT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
409 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
90,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 to 2002 model years. Data snapshot: . 151 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 96 of 409 complaints (23.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 109 | 26.7% |
| Braking behavior | 20 | 4.9% |
| Steering behavior | 15 | 3.7% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 1.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 1.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 96 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 66 |
| Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) | 51 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 41 |
| Seat Belts | 32 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift | 23 |
| Power Train | 11 |
| Wheels:Rim | 9 |
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 96; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 66; Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive): 51; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 41; Seat Belts: 32; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift: 23; Power Train: 11; Wheels:Rim: 9
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 19 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 27 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 37 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 45 |
| 150,000 and above | 16 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 19; 50,000 to 74,999: 27; 75,000 to 99,999: 37; 100,000 to 149,999: 45; 150,000 and above: 16
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (45). 258 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 13 |
| 1996 | 7 |
| 2000 | 45 |
| 2001 | 43 |
| 2002 | 55 |
| 2003 | 22 |
| 2004 | 27 |
| 2005 | 14 |
| 2006 | 98 |
| 2007 | 44 |
| 2008 | 14 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 4 |
1995: 13; 1996: 7; 2000: 45; 2001: 43; 2002: 55; 2003: 22; 2004: 27; 2005: 14; 2006: 98; 2007: 44; 2008: 14; 2009: 2; 2010: 8; 2011: 3; 2013: 1; 2014: 3; 2016: 5; 2017: 1; 2018: 4
Pattern summary
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 109 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 20 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10038091 · 2003-09-03 (September 3, 2003)
OIL IS LEAKING FROM THE TRANSMISSION COVER CASE SEALS, CAUSING CONSUMER TO REFILL MORE THEN NORMAL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 133,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10038091 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057709 · 2004-02-09 (February 9, 2004)
INFORMATION REQUEST REGARDING TRANSMISSIONS WEARING PREMATURELY/BREAKING ON 1991-1993 MITSUBISHI 3000 GT AND DODGE STEALTH. *MR ALSO IN REFERENCE TO THE MITSUBISHI 3000GT VR4. THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION WORE PREMATURELY. RECALL#02V143001. ALTHOUGH THE OUTPUT SHAFT GOES INTO THE TRANSFER CASE, IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNLESS THE TRANSFER CASE LOCKED UP AND THE SHAFT BECAME DAMAGED. THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN CHANGED A FEW YEARS PRIOR. COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. *SC THE CONSUMER ALSO …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10057709 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10117773 · 2005-06-03 (June 3, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING IN A STOP AND GO/BUMPER-TO-BUMPER TRAFFIC VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND LURCHED FORWARD AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED VEHICLE'S CONTROL UNIT. *AK TRANSMISSION FEELS AS IF SLIPPING GEARS. TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT WAS REPLACED. SHIFTER BUSHINGS REPLACED. ENGINE IDLED BY ITSELF. ISC MOTOR REPLACED AND THROTTLE BODY CLEANED. LEFT AXLE BOOT WAS REBUILT. ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. ECU WAS REPLACED. FRONT END PULLS LEFT. FRONT AND RE…
Owner-reported narrative. 68,285 miles reported. Look up ODI 10117773 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10165448 · 2006-08-14 (August 14, 2006)
SEAT BELTS WONT RETRACT SLACK, LEAVING YOU WITH OUT PROPER RESTRAINT. I HIT MY BRAKES HARD ONCE AND MY PASSENGER MOVED DANGEROUSLY FORWARD. THANKS *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10165448 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10171805 · 2006-10-25 (October 25, 2006)
I AM ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF 3SI.ORG WHICH IS A WEBSITE COVERING THE 3000GT/STEALTH MODELS FROM 1991-1999. I HAVE NOTICED THAT A LARGELY SHARED MAJORITY OF US HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT INTO PLACE WHEN PULLED OUT. THE SEAT BELT IS THERFORE EITHER LOOSE ON THE DRIVER AND PASSANGER WHICH CAN LEAD TO DEATH/INJURY OR WHEN THE PERSON IS EXITING THE CAR THE PERSON HAS TO WIND THE BELT BACK INTO THE POSITION SO IT DOESNT FALL OUT OF THE DOOR. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND I THINK A MUST FOR RECALL. I W…
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10171805 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10184396 · 2007-03-07 (March 7, 2007)
I HAVE PREVIOUSLY ENTERED A COMPLAINT CONCERNING THIS, BUT NO EVIDENCE HAS BEEN SEEN PROVING EFFORT BEING MADE TOWARD THIS ISSUE. SEAT BELTS WILL NOT PROPERLY RETRACT! MANY 3000GT AND STEALTH OWNERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THIS MUST BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY! WHEN THE BELT IS BUCKLED USUALLY ONLY THE LOWER HALF IS TIGHT ENOUGH TO RESTRAIN PASSENGER AND DRIVER. FOR THE AVERAGE HEIGHT DRIVER THIS MEANS A SUDDEN STOP (OR CRASH OF COURSE) WILL RESULT IN HIS OR HER HEAD SLAMMING INTO THE TOP OF THE STEERING WHEEL OR DASHBOARD FOR PASSENGER (YUM, BRAI…
Owner-reported narrative. 77,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10184396 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10082809 · 2004-07-28 (July 28, 2004)
WHILE CRUISING ON A MOUNTAIN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH ON A STEEP UPHILL GRADE, THE TRANSMISSION OUTPUT SHAFT STRIPPED CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF POWER IN HEAVY TRAFFIC.I CANNOT OVERSTATE HOW DANGEROUS THIS EVENT WAS. I WAS LUCKY TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THIS TRANSMISSION OR TRANSFER CASE. THE ONLY REMEDY IS TO PURCHASE A NEW TRANSMISSION AND TRANSFER CASE, WITH THE SAME DESIGN PROBLEMS AS THE ORIGINAL, AND WAIT…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10082809 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10956658 · 2017-02-23 (February 23, 2017)
THE CARS FAULTY ECU CAUSED ME TO STALL MY CAR IN TRAFFIC. ALMOST CAUSING 4 CONSECUTIVE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AFTER MOVING THE CAR ACROSS 3 LANES OF HIGH VOLUME TRAFFIC. MY ECU MIGHT BE FRIED, IM LUCKY IT DIDN'T CATCH ON FIRE
Owner-reported narrative. 148,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10956658 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 729623 · 2000-08-31 (August 31, 2000)
GET RAG TRANSMISSION FAILS REPETEDLY IN MOST 91-93 MITSUBISHI 3000GT'S AND NEITHER MITSUBISHI OR GETRAG OFFER REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND ALSO THERE ARE MANY OTHER COMMON PROBLEMS SUCH AS THE SRS LIGHT COMMING ON WHEN THE BATTERY IS REMOVED. EVEN IF MITSU DOESN'T PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AT LEAST WE ASK FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 729623 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10851378 · 2016-03-24 (March 24, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MITSUBISHI 3000GT. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED FIVE TIMES WITHIN MONTHS AND AN UNKNOWN WINDOW FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10851378 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1991 | 5 |
| 1992 | 3 |
| 1993 | 3 |
| 1994 | 3 |
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 1 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 1999 | 2 |
| 2001 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 |
1991: 5; 1992: 3; 1993: 3; 1994: 3; 1995: 1; 1996: 1; 1997: 1; 1998: 1; 1999: 2; 2001: 0; 2002: 0