1996 Mitsubishi 3000GT Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 44%of 25 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1996 Mitsubishi 3000GT, 44% of the 25 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I own a 1996 Mitsubishi 3000GT vr-4 with a 6 speed manual transmission. My friend, brian watson and I were traveling eastbound on highway 20, just about 50 miles east of bend, or. I made an attempt to shift from 5th to 6th gear, but because of some problems with what I now understand to be the sycros, it went into 4th gear. Not noticing it was in 4th gear because I had shifted it into the position of 6th, I let out the clutch and pressed the accelerator. Shortly after, I heard this pop. …”
NHTSA complaint #10010290, filed 2003-03, 66,000 miles“While driving at low speeds the transmission seized. The consumer had the vehicle towed. The dealership was notified but did not resolve the problem. The cause was not determined. Please provide any additional information.”
NHTSA complaint #10074390, filed 2004-05, 104,000 miles“Transfer case seized up due to leak n transfercase. Manufacturer refuses to uphold recall and fix the problem. During seize up csr lostcontrol and spun out of control on I-25 luckly no one was injuerd but I still hold Mitsubishi and dealers responsible. They still have yet to contact my lawyer.”
NHTSA complaint #10096236, filed 2004-10“My wife was driving our automatic 1996 3000GT at approx. 60 miles per hr when car surged forward 4 times in a row. She almost hit vehicle in front of her! Check engine light came on. She was less than a mile home and drove car very slowly home. Vehicles reverse no longer works at all!!! Car is able to go into drive but will not shift out of first gear and will not go over 20 miles per hr now! Car has been towed to dealer but no word on what is wrong with it yet.”
NHTSA complaint #10088858, filed 2004-08“This is my 2nd tranny because the first tranny was grinding from a 1st to 2nd gear. The problem was the 1-2 gear synchro that got worn out due to the manufacturer's poor design. Upon failure at 55mph, the car suddenly stopped and the transmission and transfer case locked up. The bay ride Mitsubishi dealership asked me to replace to a new transmission which cost me $3000. I did and the car ran fine for the first 15k miles then the shifting became notchy and that's when my transfer case gave up and I bought a new one and installed it myself. …”
NHTSA complaint #757670, filed 2002-02Related recalls
- 02V143001May 14, 2002On certain passenger vehicles, a condition exists that allows oil to leak from the all-wheel drive transfer case.Covers: Mitsubishi 3000GT 1991–1999
Related service bulletins
- 10170074Aug 28, 2015This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170071Jul 22, 2015This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170096Mar 5, 2013This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170100Feb 6, 2013This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170086Nov 1, 2012This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 2 | 17% |
| 1998 | 2 | 13% |
| 1997 | 12 | 34% |
| 1996 | 11 | 44% |
| 1995 | 23 | 41% |
| 1994 | 20 | 28% |
| 1993 | 37 | 55% |
| 1992 | 72 | 63% |
| 1991 | 43 | 69% |
Other parts of the 1996 Mitsubishi 3000GT
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Mitsubishi 3000GT
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology