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1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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What owners reported most

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

41 reports with mileage · 74 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 72 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

Power Train complaints

72 reports
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180,000 miles · Oct 12, 2005
Power Train

DRIVING AT APPROX. 50 MPH WHEN THE TIRES LOCKED UP. TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY TELL ME IT IS THE TRANSFER CASE. YET 15000 MILES AGO THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED, YET TO NO AVAIL THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. MITSUBISHI WILL NOT FIX THE TRANSFER CASE A SECOND TIME, HOWEVER THEY DID NOT FIX IT THE FIST TIME, THEY MERELY REPLACED T…

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DRIVING AT APPROX. 50 MPH WHEN THE TIRES LOCKED UP. TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY TELL ME IT IS THE TRANSFER CASE. YET 15000 MILES AGO THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED, YET TO NO AVAIL THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. MITSUBISHI WILL NOT FIX THE TRANSFER CASE A SECOND TIME, HOWEVER THEY DID NOT FIX IT THE FIST TIME, THEY MERELY REPLACED THE GASKET AND THE PROBLEM WAS STILL THERE! *NM

NHTSA ODI #10139521

71,000 miles · Aug 5, 2005
Power Train

DT: WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION LOCKED. CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO SAID CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THIS HAPPENED ON AUG 2, 2005. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10131727

142,000 miles · Jun 20, 2005
Power Train

I OWN A 1992 MITSUBISHI 3000GT VR4 WHICH EXPERIENCED A MAJOR DRIVETRAIN LOCKUP. I BOUGHT THE CAR 2000. IN JAN 03, I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT CAUSING BODY DAMAGE. I COMPLETED REPAIRS BY LATE JAN 05 & RELICENSED THE CAR IN FEB. ON MAR 22, 05, THE CAR SUDDENLY MADE AN AWFUL SOUND & THE TIRES LOCKED UP. I REGAINED CONTROL AS THE TIRES BE…

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I OWN A 1992 MITSUBISHI 3000GT VR4 WHICH EXPERIENCED A MAJOR DRIVETRAIN LOCKUP. I BOUGHT THE CAR 2000. IN JAN 03, I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT CAUSING BODY DAMAGE. I COMPLETED REPAIRS BY LATE JAN 05 & RELICENSED THE CAR IN FEB. ON MAR 22, 05, THE CAR SUDDENLY MADE AN AWFUL SOUND & THE TIRES LOCKED UP. I REGAINED CONTROL AS THE TIRES BECAME FREE AGAIN. ONCE TOWED HOME, I FOUND THE T-CASE HAD BEEN RIPPED OFF OF THE TRANSMISSION & MOUNTS. UPON ATTEMPT TO DRAIN THE T-CASE I FOUND IT EMPTY WITH METAL SHAVINGS PRESENT. THE OUTSIDE WAS WET WITH T-CASE OIL. LEAKY SEALS CAUSED A MAJOR LOCKUP. I LEARNED OF RECALL #02V143001. I WROTE MITSU. TO WHICH THEY REPLIED BY HAVING ME TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IF THE RECALL CAUSED FAILURE, MITSU. WOULD COMPLETE ALL REPAIRS. WALKERS RENTON MITSUBISHI DETERMINED WITHOUT A DOUBT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE RECALL. CORPORATE TOLD THE DEALER THEY WOULD BUY ME OUT OF THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. SHORTLY AFTER, THE STORY CHANGED & MITSUBISHI DECIDED TO DO NOTHING. FINALLY, I RECEIVED A CALL FROM MIKE PALIKAN, MANAGER OF DISPUTE RESOLUTIONS FOR MITSU. HE EXPLAINED THE RECALL WAS NO LONGER VALID BECAUSE TOO MUCH TIME HAD LAPSED SINCE ISSUANCE IN DEC 02 AND I SHOULD HAVE ALREADY HAD THE RECALL DONE. THEREFORE, MITSUBISHI IS NO LONGER LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE RECALL. I AM ACTIVE DUTY O3 IN THE US COAST GUARD. THE RECALL WAS SENT TO MY PERM. ADDRESS (PARENTS HOME). THE CAR HAD BEEN LICENSED & DRIVABLE FOR A TOTAL OF 2 1/2 MONTHS SINCE RECALL AND I HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO COMPLETE IT. WHAT MITSU. IS DOING IS ILLEGAL. THERE IS NO EXPIRATION ON A SAFETY RECALL. THEY ARE DOING NEW RECALLS EVERY DAY BECAUSE THEY DONT WANT A LAWSUIT BECAUSE SOMEONE WAS KILLED DUE TO THIS. HAD MY WHEELS REMAINED LOCKED ON THE HIGHWAY, I WOULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I HOPE NHTSA WILL RESOLVE THIS WITH MITSUBISHI WITH THEM COMPLETING ALL REPAIRS BEFORE FURTHER ACTION MUST BE TAKEN BY MY ATTORNEY AND I.

NHTSA ODI #10125917

121,000 miles · Jun 6, 2005
Power Train

NHTSA RECALL ID: 02V143001 MITSUBISHI 3000GT TRANSFER CASE LEAK. [XXX] THIS RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON MY VEHICLE ON 03/20/2003. ON 06/04/2005 THE TRANSFER CASE HAD LEAKED OUT ALL OF THE FLUID AND CAUSED IT TO SEIZE THUS LOCKING THE REAR WHEELS, FORCING THE VEHICLE INTO AN UNCONTROLLABLE SKID. THE ORIGINAL SEAL LASTED OVER 10 YEAR…

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NHTSA RECALL ID: 02V143001 MITSUBISHI 3000GT TRANSFER CASE LEAK. [XXX] THIS RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON MY VEHICLE ON 03/20/2003. ON 06/04/2005 THE TRANSFER CASE HAD LEAKED OUT ALL OF THE FLUID AND CAUSED IT TO SEIZE THUS LOCKING THE REAR WHEELS, FORCING THE VEHICLE INTO AN UNCONTROLLABLE SKID. THE ORIGINAL SEAL LASTED OVER 10 YEARS, THE REPAIRED SEAL ONLY LASTED 2.5 YEARS. NOT ONLY WAS THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, IT WAS UNFORESEEN. IN A LETTER REGARDING THIS RECALL IT STATED: "THIS COULD CAUSE THE WHEELS TO LOCK UP AND RESULT IN ACCIDENT WITHOUT WARNING." THE TECH AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE TRANSFER CASE WAS "BONE DRY". I HAD JUST RETURNED FROM A 500 MILE ROUND TRIP FROM PA A COUPLE WEEKS EARLIER WITH NO PROBLEMS. AND THAT NIGHT WAS LEAVING MY HOUSE FROM DROPPING OFF MY LITTLE BROTHER. HAD I BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY, OR ANY SPEED ABOVE THE 30MPH I WAS TRAVELING AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, IT COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY TO ME AND MY PASSENGER AS WELL AS ONCOMING TRAFFIC, OR DEATH TO ANYONE INVOLVED. AFTER THE VEHICLE CAME TO A SCREECHING HALT IT WOULD NOT MOVE. NOT ONLY HAD IT SKID UNCONTROLLABLY, BUT NOW WOULD NOT MOVE FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IT WAS AGAIN A HAZARD TO OTHER DRIVERS. THE PEOPLE AT MITSUBISHI THAT I SPOKE WITH STATED THAT "MITSUBISHI HAD COMPLETED THE RECALL ONCE AND THAT THE RECALL ONLY HAD TO BE PERFORMED ONCE." NOT ONLY DOES THE DEALERSHIP WANT $1300 FOR A NEW TRANSFER CASE, THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR 3 HOURS OF LABOR. ANOTHER QUOTE: "WE'RE SORRY FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE, BUT WE ARE SINCERELY CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR SAFETY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS IMPORTANT MATTER." IF THEY ARE SO CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY WHY WOULD THEY NOT HELP ME MAKE THE REPAIRS THAT WERE NOT DONE CORRECTLY TWICE? I DO NOT BELIEVE MITSUBISHI HAS HELD UP THEIR END OF THE DEAL IN THIS CASE, AND OTHERS LIKE IT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MITSUBISHI PERFORM THE RECALL AGAIN ON MY VEHICLE, THIS TIME DONE CORRECTLY, AND AT NO EXPENSE. SINCERELY, [XXX] *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (F

NHTSA ODI #10124394

40,000 miles · Jul 28, 2004
Power Train

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 C…

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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 FOR IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS LONG AGO. VISIT WWW.MITSUBISHISUCKS.COM FOR A VERY LONG LIST OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE LOCAL DEALER AND THE MITS. DISTRICT MANAGER HAVE ASSURED ME THAT MITS. WILL NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE WITH GETTING THIS CAR REPAIRED EVEN THOUGH BOTH HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR CAR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10082809

126,000 miles · Jun 17, 2004
Power Train

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 02 V 143 001 CONCERNING TRANSFER CASE OIL LEAKAGE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH VEHICLE COMMENCED TO MAKE LOUD CLANKING NOISES, LOST POWER AND LEAKED OIL. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND THEY INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THIS RECALL THROUGH THE PREVIOUS OWNER, AND THAT NOTHING ELSE…

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CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 02 V 143 001 CONCERNING TRANSFER CASE OIL LEAKAGE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH VEHICLE COMMENCED TO MAKE LOUD CLANKING NOISES, LOST POWER AND LEAKED OIL. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND THEY INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THIS RECALL THROUGH THE PREVIOUS OWNER, AND THAT NOTHING ELSE WOULD BE DONE. HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED WITHIN A YEAR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10079437

52,000 miles · May 17, 2004
Power Train

I OWN A 1992 300GT WITH 51,000 MILES. THE CAR IS IN PRISTINE CONDITION. THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF WEAR ON MY TRANSMISION. THE CAR COULD NOT GET INTO GEAR SMOOTHLY. THE GEARS WOULD CONSTANTLY GRIND. I TRIED RECOMMENDING TRANSMSSION FLUIDS FROM MITSUBISHI BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BY MITSUBISHI WI…

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I OWN A 1992 300GT WITH 51,000 MILES. THE CAR IS IN PRISTINE CONDITION. THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF WEAR ON MY TRANSMISION. THE CAR COULD NOT GET INTO GEAR SMOOTHLY. THE GEARS WOULD CONSTANTLY GRIND. I TRIED RECOMMENDING TRANSMSSION FLUIDS FROM MITSUBISHI BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BY MITSUBISHI WITH A CERTIFIED FACTORY REBUILT (YOU CAN NO LONGER PURCHASE A NEW ONE). THE REBUILT TRANSMISSION WAS TERRIBLE AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT WITHIN A MONTH (NO CHARGE FOR THE REPLACEMENT) NOW THE NEW ONE WORKS, BUT IS NOT PARTICULARLY GOOD, AS SHIFTING IS STILL ROUGH. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT SATISFACTORY. IN LOOKING AT ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE THIS IDENTICAL PROBLEM, SOME HAVE RESULTED IN LOCK-UP. I CANNOT BELIEVE MISUBISHI WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PRODUCT DEFECT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10072763

102,000 miles · May 13, 2004
Power Train

18 SPLINE OUTPUT SHAFT ON MY 92 3000GT VR4 SNAPPED REPLACED TRANSMISSION AND AT A COST OF 5000 US DOLLARS. OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED THIS IS A FAULTY DEVICE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10072580

133,000 miles · Mar 24, 2004
Power Train

THE SPLINES OF THE SHAFT THAT CONNECT THE TRANSMISSION AND TRANSFER CASE WERE STRIPPED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10063758

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2004
Power Train

18 SPLINE OUTPUT SHAFT IS INSUFFICIENT FOR THE CAR AND IS VERY DANGEROUS IF IT BREAKS WHILE ON THE PARKWAY OR DRIVING IN TAFFIC.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10062234

Official recalls

3

02V143001 · Power Train:transfer Case (4-WHEEL Drive)

May 14, 2002

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A CONDITION EXISTS THAT ALLOWS OIL TO LEAK FROM THE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE TRANSFER CASE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: LOW OIL LEVELS IN THE TRANSFER CASE COULD CAUSE BEARING DAMAGE AND RESULT IN DRIVE TRAIN LOCKUP, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSFER CASE FOR INDICATIONS OF OIL LEAKAGE OR DAMAGE. VEHICLES THAT HAVE OIL LEAKAGE WILL HAVE THE TRANSFER CASE RESEALED AND RE-FILL THE TRANSFER CASE TO THE PROPER LEVEL, OR REPLACED THE TRANSFER CASE IF THERE IS EVIDENCE OF DAMAGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DECEMBER 9, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AMERICA AT 1-888-648-7820 OR MITSUBMISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.

96V143002 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Aug 12, 1996

UNDER CONDITIONS OF FULL LOCK STEERING AND FULL SUSPENSION TRAVEL, THE LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT WHEEL-SIDE BRAKE HOSE CAN CRACK, RESULTING IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE WILL CAUSE ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP AND REDUCTION IN BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT WHEEL-SIDE BRAKE HOSES WITH REVISED HOSE ASSEMBLIES.

96V143001 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Jul 25, 1996

UNDER CONDITIONS OF FULL LOCK STEERING AND FULL SUSPENSION TRAVEL, THE LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT WHEEL-SIDE BRAKE HOSE CAN CRACK, RESULTING IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE WILL CAUSE ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP AND REDUCTION IN BRAKING EFFICIENCY INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT WHEEL-SIDE BRAKE HOSES WITH REVISED HOSE ASSEMBLIES.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

PE02013 · Transfer Case Lockup

Opened Jan 31, 2002 · Closed Jun 3, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Wheels

There is no summary currently available

Additional source detail variants (2)

Wheels

There is no summary currently available

Wheels

There is no summary currently available

PE96004 · Glass Sunroof Shattering

Opened Jan 17, 1996 · Closed May 31, 1996

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility

1992 - 96 DODGE STEALTH AND MITSUBISHI 300 GT