1993 Mitsubishi 3000GT Problems
- Complaints
- 67filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 103,989miles, 21 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 · 16 city / 23 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1993 Mitsubishi 3000GT (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year most often describe two long-running problems: all-wheel-drive transfer case and transmission trouble, and seat belts that stop retracting. Transfer case complaints center on oil loss, grinding, and, in several accounts, the rear wheels locking while driving; many owners mention a recall for the transfer case and disagreement with dealers about what it covered. Seat belt reports describe belts that will not retract and stay slack, across a wide mileage range. Other complaints cover brakes, wheels, windows, and one stuck accelerator, but each appears only rarely in the sample.
- Transmission and drivetrain
Transfer case oil loss and lock-up (AWD)
- 16 complaints (24%)
- median 103,989 mi at 13.0 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2000–2010
Owners of all-wheel-drive cars describe oil leaking from the transfer case, then grinding or clunking noises, and in several accounts the rear wheels locking and the car spinning or sliding at highway speed. Some say the case was found empty with no warning, and the rear tires were flat-spotted afterward. Several mention the transfer case recall; accounts describe dealers checking the fluid or declining work, and owners report the leak returning after the recall service. Reported from roughly 60,000 to 218,000 miles, with many accounts around highway speed and several after a previous recall inspection or repair.
What to check: Check the transfer case fluid level and look for oil seeping at the seals; ask whether the 02V143001 recall work was performed and keep documentation of it. Listen for grinding or clunking in the driveline on a test drive.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I have a 1993 Mitsubishi 300 gt vr4. I am the second owner of the vehicle (purchased 2001) there was a recall on the power train. After being notified I took the car to be service on the transfer case at carmax Mitsubishi in sterling, va. …”
NHTSA complaint #10161340, filed 2006-07, 61,000 miles“My transfer case is leaking, and I have replaced/filled it with new transmission fluid. I understand this is a safety hazard if the transfer case goes dry, not only will it lock up and break, but my life and others could be in danger. I have read of other instances where the transfer case has seized at highway speed and caused very dangerous conditions. …”
NHTSA complaint #757561, filed 2002-01 - Seat belts
Seat belts won't retract, leaving slack
- 18 complaints (27%)
- median 94,000 mi at 14.1 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
- filed 1995–2011
Owners report that the front seat belts no longer retract fully and stay loose, sometimes hanging outside the door or needing to be fed back by hand. Several say the slack leaves them poorly restrained when braking, and that the belt can fail to tighten at all. Complaints describe dealers quoting replacement belts at the owner's cost, with no other remedy offered. Reported from about 30,000 to 151,000 miles, typically after years of ordinary day-to-day use rather than a specific event.
What to check: Pull each belt out fully and let it go to see whether it retracts smoothly and tightens on the lap and shoulder; ask whether the belts or retractors have been replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Ever since I purchased my 1993 Mitsubishi 3000GT base model. I have had problems with the seat belt. It doesn't retract and leaves too much slack. Thank the lord that I haven't been involved in any accidents because if I am, I am not comfortable with the fact that I wont be sure if my seat belt will save me. I though maybe it was just an isolated problem with my car but I know countless people with these cars and they all have the same problems. …”
NHTSA complaint #10168698, filed 2006-09, 98,000 miles“This is the most recent occurrence of this incident (4/14/06). The issue involves the seat belt mechanisms on my 1993 Mitsubishi 3000GT vr-4. The seat belts will not retract fully and at times are simply inoperable. The real safety issue becomes apparent when I am braking and the seat belts have too much slack as a result of the mechanism not providing enough tension to secure the belts. …”
NHTSA complaint #10155410, filed 2006-04 - Transmission and drivetrain
Manual gearbox synchro wear and hard shifting
- 27 complaints (40%)
- median 136,000 mi at 13.6 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- owner-quoted repair $4,592 (median of 5 quotes)
- filed 1998–2010
Owners of manual cars describe grinding when shifting into second or third, resistance going into first and second, and worsening difficulty when cold. Some report the transmission was replaced once and the replacement later developed the same noise or gear-change trouble. Complaints describe dealers calling the behavior normal, bleeding the clutch, or quoting a full replacement because internal parts were not offered separately. Reported from roughly 50,000 miles upward, often worse in cold weather and on the first few miles of a drive.
What to check: On a test drive from cold, shift through all gears slowly and listen for grinding into second and third; ask whether the gearbox has been rebuilt or replaced and whether any receipts exist.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“While accelerating into second gear I heard a load thump and my car stopped accelerating. My transmission has failed. When you put it in any gear and release the clutch the car goes nowhere. Why does Mitsubishi make a car with 300hp and a tranny that cannot handle it. I spoke with 3 other 3kgt owners that have all had tranny problems with this car...it deserves a recall!”
NHTSA complaint #10102161, filed 2004-12, 134,000 miles“My manual transmission has a problem, the car is still drivable, but every time I push my clutch, my shifter moves up and down, forward, or backward and sometimes goes out of the gear. I thought that it could be a problem with one of my mounts going bad, but a mechanic checked them and said they were ok. …”
NHTSA complaint #10006392, filed 2001-03
Buying note. For this model year, the transfer case and seat belt reports are the ones worth raising before purchase: confirm the transfer case recall was completed and documented, check fluid level and leaks, and test how the belts retract. On manual cars, drive it cold and listen for synchro grind before committing.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 49 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 67 consumer complaints for the 1993 Mitsubishi 3000GT. 21 of the complaints include a mileage, and 10% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 103,989 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 50 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 belts19 28%
- Equipment2 3.0%
- Vehicle speed control2 3.0%
- Wheels2 3.0%
- Brakes1 1.5%
- Engine cooling1 1.5%
- Other or unknown1 1.5%
- Steering1 1.5%
Also reported: Suspension (1), Tires (1).
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “My car began to buck violently on the way home the rear wheels locked up and the front continued to move, which caused heavy vibrations. I turned the hazard lights on and slowed down to a stop. I then removed the key from the ignition and rested the car where it stopped, 120 ft from my house. Immediately, I knew the culprit -- the transfer case, and a recall was issued approximately 2 years ago. I had the car towed to darcars Mitsubishi to have the recall performed. Initially, service support told me the problem would be taken care of. …”
NHTSA complaint #10112735, filed 2005-03, 94,000 milesSeat belts: “Seat belts do not properly retract. Which leaves them too loose when driving. This could cause serious injury in an accident. When the seatbelt 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10209274, filed 2007-11, 151,000 milesEquipment: “The clutch malfunctioned and needed to be replaced with factory new, at which time I was informed that I need to replace the transmission due to a crack in the transfer case. The air conditioner has completly malfunctioned two times in the last six months.”
NHTSA complaint #723906, filed 2000-06Mileage when problems were reported
10% of the 21 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 90,000 and 142,000 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 1993 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 4WD/AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 23 | 19 | $4,350 |
| 3000 GT FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 23 | 19 | $4,350 |
| 3000 GT FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 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 1993 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 1993 Mitsubishi 3000GT?
Owners of this model year most often describe two long-running problems: all-wheel-drive transfer case and transmission trouble, and seat belts that stop retracting. The issues reported most often: Transfer case oil loss and lock-up (AWD); Seat belts won't retract, leaving slack; Manual gearbox synchro wear and hard shifting.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1993 Mitsubishi 3000GT have?
NHTSA recorded 67 consumer complaints for the 1993 Mitsubishi 3000GT as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1993 Mitsubishi 3000GT is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 37 complaints (55% of the total), followed by seat belts with 19.
Has the 1993 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 1993 Mitsubishi 3000GT get?
The EPA rates the 1993 Mitsubishi 3000GT (3000 GT, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 23 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 1993 Mitsubishi 3000GT reported?
Among the 21 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 103,989 miles and the middle half falls between 90,000 and 142,000 miles; 10% 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.