1997 Mitsubishi 3000GT: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 35 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (34% of complaints); the 1998 and 1999 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2002
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Seat belt retractors stop working over time, causing extreme slack on the seat belt. There is no tightness left on seat belt, even when wearing while driving. If a crash were to occur, the seat belt would not be able to do it's job. *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · May 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 mitsubishi 3000gt. While driving 60 mph the vehicle stalled without warning. She was able to move the vehicle on the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the garage for diagnostic testing which indicated that the transmission transfer case wasn't sealed properly causing the fluid to leak. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer in april of 2003 for recall 02v143001 power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive), but the vehicle was not serviced. The manufacturer stated that the recall was performed; therefore they will not offer any assistance. The failure and the current mileages were 180,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2010
“I own a mitsubishi 1997 3000gt vr4, and a 1996 3000gt base model. On both cars there was tremendous slacks in the seat belts. I worry that if not recalled they would do little to protect me in a collision. Please investigate this.*ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2007
Show 7 more owner reports
“Mitsubishi has not honored their responsibility on the recall NHTSA campaign id 02v143001 for my 1997 3000gt vr4. The local zone rep has turned it done without a personal visit . I have forced a meeting with him for thursday jan 18th but I have been told it is a waste of my time by the local dealer. My car had the oil leak and after running dry I have had damage to the transfer case leaving the car in an unsafe condition. Most disturbing was the fact that the dealer told my 18 year old son it was safe to drive home. If the gears had locked up he could have been seriously hurt. I hope you can help me put pressure on mitsubishi to act responsibly. *nm”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2007
“The seat belt in my 1997 sohc 3000gt does not always retract and sometimes locks up when I lean forward. I have been in numerous close calls due wiggling out of the predicament. *nm”Owner report · Seat Belts · Dec 2006
“Vehicle: 1997 mitsubishi 3000gt vr4 the front seat belts do not retract properly, thereby leaving enough slack in the seat belt to deem it unsafe when driving. This was also a problem on my '94 3000gt and I have heard many other complaints about this from many other owners. This is obviously a manufacturer's defect and it should be recalled, as it effects the safety of the driver and passengers. *nm”Owner report · Seat Belts · Aug 2006
“1997 mitsubishi 3000gt vr-4 seat belts don't retract when you release them and you have to feed it back into the panel. *jb”Owner report · Seat Belts · Aug 2006
“Driver and passenger seat belts don't retract correctly. When the seat belt doesn't retract, it leaves several inches of slack. In the event of an accident, this defect could cause serious injury or death. This defect is common in from 1991 to 1999 for the mitsubishi 3000gt and dodge stealth gt models which technically are the same vehicle with the same part numbers. *nm”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2006
“When the seat belt on my 1997 mitsubishi 3000gt is pulled on, it sometimes does not retract, leaving enough slack in the belt that if an accident were to occur, it would not serve its purpose as a safety restraint. *jb”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jun 2006
“I own a 1997 3000gt vr4 and also owned a 1998 3000gt sl. The seat belts in both of my cars do not function properly. When the seat belt is pulled on it does not retract, leaving enough slack in the belt that if an accident were to occur, it would not serve its purpose as a safety restraint. Both seat belts are in great condition with no damage to them. Plus with me having a baby I can not and will not accept this defect of a safety device. *nm”Owner report · Seat Belts · May 2006
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A CONDITION EXISTS THAT ALLOWS OIL TO LEAK FROM THE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE TRANSFER CASE.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1997 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 3000GT by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Mitsubishi 3000GT reliable?
NHTSA has 35 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1997 Mitsubishi 3000GT. The most complained-about area is power train (34% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Mitsubishi 3000GT problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 93,000 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Mitsubishi 3000GT have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive). Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.