1998 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 1998 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
- 1998 Mitsubishi 3000gt owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Wheels / tires (5), Seat belts (3), Transmission / drivetrain (2), Airbags (1), Electrical system (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)
06/22/2014 · Airbags
GOT IN THE CAR PUT KEY IN IGNITION STARTED TO TURN KEY AND PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED FOR APPARENTLY NO REASON. BROKE WINDSHIELD. WAS UNABLE TO SEE OR HEAR AT FIRST AND SUFFERED A CUT UNDER CHIN AND HEADACHE FOR 4 DAYS. WHERE THE CAR WAS PARKED THERE WAS NO WAY FOR ANYONE TO HIT THE FRONT END. THERE IS VIDEO SHOWING NO DAMAGE TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR AT AL…
09/04/2008 · Electrical system
VEHICLE STALLS WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD LOOSES ALL ELECTRICAL IF YOU CYCLE IGNITION SWITCH IT IMMEDIATELY RESTARTS BUT ONCE IT LOOSES ALL POWER THERE IS NO POWER STEERING NEARLY RESULTING IN A CRASH ON SEVERAL TURNS. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR CODES. RANDOM NO SET PATTERN TO IT HAPPENING.. UPON RESEARCHING THE INTERNET SEVERAL MITSUBISHI PRODUCTS SHAR…
08/23/2007 · Seat belts
BOTH SEATBELTS IN THE FRONT OF MY 1998 MITSUBISHI 3000GT VR4 DO NOT RETRACT WHEN THERE IS SLACK IN THEM. *TR
08/13/2006 · Seat belts
SEAT BELTS IN MY 1998 MITSUBISHI 3000GT SL DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. WHEN PULLED ON TO LOCK INTO RECEIVER THEY DO NOT RETRACT THUS LEAVING SLACK WHICH CAN CAUSE PASSENGER TO GO FORWARD CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY. *NM
07/10/2006 · Engine
SEVERE TICK IN ENGINE EVEN AFTER DEALER CHANGED ALL LIFTERS. CHROME 17" FACTORY RIMS BREAK SEAL ON TIRES RESULTING IN NUMEROUS FLAT TIRES. *NM
05/27/2006 · Seat belts
MITSUBISHI 3000GT'S SEAT BELT DO NOT RETRACT AFTER PULLED ON. IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT SERVE AS A FORM OF PROTECTION AS THEY SHOULD. MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH SAME MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB
03/14/2005 · Wheels / tires
I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE.THE FIRST OWNER HAD THE RIMS REPLACED WITH FACTORY REPLACEMENT CHROME RIMS 15,000 MILES AGO.HE SAID HAD EXPERIENCED"UNEXPLAINBLE FLAT TIRES" A FEW TIMES BEFORE HE REPLACED THE RIMS.I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 8 MONTHS AND HAVE HAD 4 FLAT TIRES,TWO OF WHICH TOTALLY DESTROYED THE TIRES.BOTH OF THOSE BLEW OUT ON THE SIDE WALLS…
01/14/2005 · Transmission / drivetrain
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S WHEELS LOCKED UP WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO COME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. *NM THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE'S TRANSFER CASE CHECKED BECAUSE OF A RECALL. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE DEALER DID NOT CONDUCT A THOROUGH INSPECT…