1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT Problems
- Complaints
- 115filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles, 41 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl FWD · 17 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of the 1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT most often describe two long-running problems: transfer case and transmission failures in the all-wheel-drive VR4 versions, and front seat belts that stop retracting. Transfer case complaints cluster around oil leakage and, in some cases, the driveline locking up; seat belt complaints describe belts that stay slack and do not wind back. Most reports come at higher mileage, though the belt problem and some gearbox failures appear at well under 100,000 miles.
- Seat belts
Front seat belts do not retract
- 24 complaints (21%)
- median 86,353 mi at 14.1 yrs old (13 state mileage)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1997–2008
Complaints describe front seat belts that stay slack after being pulled out and do not wind back into the retractor, so owners have to feed the belt back by hand. Some say the belt twists or gets caught in the door, and a few report the belt does not lock when braking. Owners say dealers did not offer a fix and that the same problem shows up on both sides of the car. Reported at a wide range of mileages, from about 40,000 to 130,000 miles, often described as present for years or since purchase.
What to check: Pull each front belt all the way out and let go; it should retract fully and lock when tugged sharply. Check both sides and look for fraying or belts that have been caught in the door.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I own a dodge stealth and the front driver and passenger seat belts do not functions properly. They haven't worked since I have had the vehicle. When you pull the belt out to strap it in it does not retract on its own. The belt rarely locks when braking . I don't not fell the belt will protect me in an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10187414, filed 2007-04, 104,000 miles“The seatbelts in my 3000GT vr4 fail to retract, and are often loose while not driving. When I originally purchased the car it did it every now and then, and now, 2 years later, its a constant problem. The belt will not securely hold me down while driving, and then when leaving the vehicle, the belt will not retract and often get closed in the door. Im aware that im not the only 3000GT/stealth suffering from this issue, I feel that a recall is necessary, this is a safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10230312, filed 2008-06, 90,000 miles - Transmission and drivetrain
Transfer case oil leak and lock-up (AWD)
- 36 complaints (31%)
- median 120,500 mi at 13.6 yrs old (16 state mileage)
- 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
- owner-quoted repair $4,900 (median of 7 quotes)
- filed 1995–2018
Complaints describe oil leaking from the all-wheel-drive transfer case, sometimes noticed as a puddle underneath or a clunking noise, and in some cases the case running dry until the driveline seizes and the wheels lock. Several owners say the case failed again after the recall repair had supposedly been done, or that a dealer resealed the case without replacing a damaged shaft. Others report difficulty getting the recall work performed or parts being unavailable. Mostly reported between roughly 90,000 and 180,000 miles, though some leaks and failures appear much earlier, including shortly after a recall repair.
What to check: Ask whether recall 02V143001 was done and keep the paperwork; check the transfer case for leaks or fresh sealant and listen for clunking or whine on a test drive.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10125917, filed 2005-06, 142,000 miles“The following vehicle came with a transfer case defect from factory. The car was delivered new jan. 1992 , therefore the defect was reported on automobiles built in 1991 on the same model. Since this vehicle was delivered jan 1992 there is a high possibility that the transfer case in question that failed was from a 1991 model. I would like to know if the repair that I had to take care of personally will be reinbursed by filing a report with Mitsubishi orthe dealer, since this particular problem was an issue with 1991 models.”
NHTSA complaint #758927, filed 2002-03 - Transmission and drivetrain
Transmission gears grind, shaft strips, no drive
- 55 complaints (48%)
- median 120,000 mi at 12.9 yrs old (19 state mileage)
- 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
- owner-quoted repair $5,000 (median of 9 quotes)
- filed 1995–2010
Owners report grinding when shifting, gears that pop out, and vibration, with dealers often saying the only fix is a replacement transmission. Several complaints describe the output shaft or its splines stripping under normal driving, causing total loss of power while moving. Owners also note that individual transmission parts are hard to obtain and that a rebuilt or replacement unit can fail again. Spread across the mileage range, from around 40,000 miles up past 140,000 miles, often during normal driving or on a grade.
What to check: Test drive through every gear, listen for grinding or whine, and ask for service records on the transmission and transfer case; confirm what unit is fitted and whether parts are still available.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“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). …”
NHTSA complaint #10072763, filed 2004-05, 52,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10082809, filed 2004-07, 40,000 miles
Buying note. These are old cars with known driveline and seat belt weaknesses, so condition and records matter more than mileage. Confirm the transfer case and brake hose recalls were completed, check the belts and gearbox carefully, and budget for transmission work if the all-wheel-drive unit has no history.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 115 consumer complaints for the 1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT. 41 of the complaints include a mileage, and 22% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 90,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 4 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Seat belts28 24%
- Brakes3 2.6%
- Suspension3 2.6%
- Electrical system2 1.7%
- Engine cooling2 1.7%
- Fuel system2 1.7%
- Vehicle speed control2 1.7%
- Air bags1 0.9%
Also reported: Engine (1), Exterior lighting (1), Other or unknown (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “(3000GT vr4) on one occasion, I turned left, was in second gear. The shifter popped out of second. So I tried to put it back in and all I received in response was a grinding. I come to find out that it was synchro. Apparently this is a common problem. Dealer's response was that I needed a new transmission. After a little research, this seems to be more of a factory defect, then a driver defect. I am very very disappointed with Mitsubishi. Second incident. I was driving about 35 MPH. All of a sudden the wheels locked up, I continued to slide off road. …”
NHTSA complaint #10030766, filed 2003-08, 148,000 milesSeat belts: “Whenever I lean forward, or put on my seat belt, there is some slack in the belt. However, this slack does not retract at all. I must use my hand and manually push the seat belt back in. I fear that if I were to get into an accident, the seat belt would not function properly. This has been a problem since I first bought the car, I assume the previous owner had the same problem. I have driven other cars of the same make and model, and they also have this problem. 1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT base model.”
NHTSA complaint #10156028, filed 2006-04, 100,000 milesBrakes: “The contact owns a 1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT. While driving 55 MPH, the contact had to pump the brakes in order for them to engage. He stated that he had to depress the brake pedal to the floor for the brakes to slowly engage at the last minute. At one point, the contact had to drive off the road to avoid crashing into another vehicle. The vehicle was able to be driven at 10 MPH and has not been taken to the dealer. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 96v143001 (service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). The purchase date was unknown. …”
NHTSA complaint #10202187, filed 2007-09, 89,000 milesSuspension: “While drinving 5mph the left fron suspension came apart causing the wheel to jam up under the car, due to missing left front contro arm bolt, assuming nut came loose and caused the bolt to fall out or broke off and fell out.”
NHTSA complaint #514204, filed 1997-01Mileage when problems were reported
22% of the 41 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 55,000 and 121,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3000 GT FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 22 | 19 | $4,350 |
| 3000 GT FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 22 | 18 | $4,550 |
| 3000 GT 4WD/AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 22 | 18 | $4,550 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 02V143001May 14, 2002Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)Covers: Mitsubishi 3000GT 1991–1999
On certain passenger vehicles, a condition exists that allows oil to leak from the all-wheel drive transfer case.
- 96V143002Aug 12, 1996Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Mitsubishi 3000GT 1991–1994, Diamante 1992–1994, Montero 1992–1994
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.
- 96V143001Jul 25, 1996Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Mitsubishi 3000GT 1991–1994, Diamante 1992–1994, Montero 1992–1994
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.
Recall details for the 1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE02013Transfer case lockupClosed · Jan 31, 2002
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 4 on record; the latest 4 are shown.
- 10169006Nov 26, 2019Equipment. This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10163703Jul 30, 2019Equipment. This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin supersedes TSB-18-00-003, issued April, 2018, to add updated information for Carrying Capacity Reduced Label.
- 10130469Feb 26, 2018Equipment. This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170852Jan 29, 2013Body and structure. This Technical Service Bulletin updates the door adjustment procedure in the Body Section of the applicable service manuals.
Other model years of the Mitsubishi 3000GT
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 12 | 61,500 | 2 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1998 | 15 | 70,000 | 1 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 35 | 90,000 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 25 | 70,000 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 56 | 90,000 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 72 | 80,000 | 3 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 67 | 103,989 | 3 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 115 | 90,000 | 3 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 62 | 80,500 | 5 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Mitsubishi 3000GT model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT?
Owners of the 1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT most often describe two long-running problems: transfer case and transmission failures in the all-wheel-drive VR4 versions, and front seat belts that stop retracting. The issues reported most often: Front seat belts do not retract; Transfer case oil leak and lock-up (AWD); Transmission gears grind, shaft strips, no drive.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT have?
NHTSA recorded 115 consumer complaints for the 1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 72 complaints (63% of the total), followed by seat belts with 28.
Has the 1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT get?
The EPA rates the 1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT (3000 GT, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 17 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT reported?
Among the 41 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 90,000 miles and the middle half falls between 55,000 and 121,000 miles; 22% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.