1996 Mitsubishi 3000gt recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. 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 1996 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
- 1996 Mitsubishi 3000gt owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (11), Seat belts (10), Equipment (2), Vehicle Speed Control (2), Child seat (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
08/25/2008 · Seat belts
SEATBELT DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, LEAVING SLACK IN THE BELT SO IT DOES NOT HOLD DRIVER IN CASE OF CRASH. *TR
02/29/2008 · Seat belts
NORMAL EVERYDAY USAGE OF SEAT BELTS. THE FRONT SEAT BELTS DO NOT WORK ANY MORE THEY PULL OUT BUT DO NOT RETRACT BACK. MITSUBISHI SAYS TO WIPE THE BELT DOWN WITH A DAMP CLOTH THEN DRY OFF TO REMOVE DIRT. THIS DOES NOT WORK NOW MY FRONT SEATBELTS DO NOT WORK AT ALL THEY STAY FULLY EXTENDED AND WILL NOT RETRACT TO PROVIDE ANY RESTRAINT IN THE EVENT OF AN AC…
06/14/2007 · Seat belts
SEAT BELT DOESN'T RETRACT PROPERLY TO PERFORM SAFELY. IT IS SLACK WHEN IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE TIGHT AGAINST MY CHEST. *TR
03/31/2007 · Seat belts
I HAVE A 96 MITSUBISHI 3000GT AND MY FRONT SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT AFTER BEING PUT ON OR TAKEN OFF. IF I WERE TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT THEY WOULD DO VERY LITTLE TO PROTECT ME. I TRIED TO SEE IF MITSUBISHI WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM BUT THEY SAID THEY ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. JUST FIGURED I WOULD LET SOME ONE KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THE MITSUBISHI SEAT…
03/10/2007 · Seat belts
1996 MITSUBISHI 3000GT VR4 - DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT AFTER USE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE I'VE OWNED THE CAR - PURCHASED IN 07/2000. *JB
01/10/2007 · Seat belts
THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM IN MY 1996 MITSUBISHI 3000GT VR-4 DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE BELTS DO NOT RETURN TO THEIR RETRACTED STATE AFTER USE. MOREOVER, USING THE SEAT BELT IS DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF THE OVER-THE-SHOULDER LOOP THE BELT PASSES THRU CAUSES THE BELT TO BE "TIED UP".*JB
12/29/2006 · Seat belts
I OWN A 1996 MITSUBISHI 3000GT THAT HAS HAD BOTH FRONT SEATBELTS FAIL TO OPERATE CORRECTLY. I HAVE REPLACED THESE BELT TWICE NOW AND THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO COME BACK AFTER A FEW MONTHS. I FEEL THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE PRODUCT THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS A RECALL. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT.
10/24/2006 · Seat belts
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT FULLY AND DO NOT LOCK IN PLACE. I FEEL THIS IS VERY UNSAFE IF AN ACCIDENT WERE TO OCCUR. THE SEAT BELT IS ONLY FUNCTIONAL AS A WAIST HARNESS, BECAUSE THIS RENDERS THE SHOULDER HARNESS USELESS. *NM