1997 Mitsubishi 3000gt recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A CONDITION EXISTS THAT ALLOWS OIL TO LEAK FROM THE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE TRANSFER CASE.
What could happen: LOW OIL LEVELS IN THE TRANSFER CASE COULD CAUSE BEARING DAMAGE AND RESULT IN DRIVE TRAIN LOCKUP, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: 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, 20…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1997 3000GT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mitsubishi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 02V143001.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-888-648-7820.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A CONDITION EXISTS THAT ALLOWS OIL TO LEAK FROM THE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE TRANSFER CASE.
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.
Notes: MITSUBISHI RECALL BULLETIN NO. SR-02-003. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Digital tire pressure gauge
- 1997 Mitsubishi 3000gt owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (13), Seat belts (12), Wheels / tires (10), Brakes (2), Hydraulic (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
02/24/2014 · Steering
MY CAR IS WELL KEPT AND GARAGED AT NIGHT. IN NOVEMBER 2012, I WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE CAR AND WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC OF 20 YEARS THAT MY "TOTAL FRONT END" ON THE CAR NEEDED REPLACED. THIS REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF GASKETS, AN OAL FLEX, RACK & PINION, AND A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. IT WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE JOB WITH THE EXPLANATION GIVEN THAT IT WAS "WORN OU…
05/18/2011 · Seat belts
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
08/11/2010 · Transmission / drivetrain
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…
08/24/2007 · Seat belts
I OWN A 1997 MITSUBISHI 3000GT AND THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINT SYSTEM FOR THE DRIVES AND PASSENGER SIDE FAIL TO RETRACT. THE ONLY WAY TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM IS TO REMOVE THE SEATBELT WHILE DRIVING AND MANUALLY FEED THE BELT BACK INTO THE SYSTEM. *TR
07/17/2007 · Seat belts
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
01/17/2007 · Transmission / drivetrain
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…
12/30/2006 · Seat belts
MY DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RETRACT NORMALLY. THEY REQUIRE SOME EXTRA FORCE. IT STARTED WHERE IT ONLY HAPPENED EVERY NOW AND THEN AND NOW IT IS ALL THE TIME. I HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO CORRECT THIS YET. *NM
12/16/2006 · Seat belts
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