Total Complaints
42 filings
MITSUBISHI 3000GT · model year
42 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1997MITSUBISHI3000GT carries 42 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1997 3000GT is seat belts:front:retractor with 8 filings, followed by wheels (6) and wheels:rim (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 14 investigation files overlapping the 1997 3000GT. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
42 filings
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 8 |
| WHEELS | 6 |
| WHEELS:RIM | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE) | 3 |
| SEAT BELTS | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT | 2 |
| TIRES | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT | 1 |
MY CAR IS WELL KEPT AND GARAGED AT NIGHT. IN NOVEMBER 2012, I WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE CAR AND WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC OF 20 YEARS THAT MY "TOTAL FRONT END" ON THE CAR NEEDED REPLACED. THIS REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF GASKETS, AN OAL FLEX, RACK & PINION, AND A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. IT WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE JOB WITH THE EXPLANATION GIVEN THAT IT WAS "WORN OUT." NOW, THE STEERING IS A PROBLEM WITH STRANGE SOUNDS AND THE PERIODIC MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN DRIVING. AN INSPECTION OF THAT DISCLOSED THAT NOW, THE "INTERMEDIATE SHAFT ON THE STEERING WHEEL" NEEDS REPLACED. AFTER RESEARCHING THE INTERNET, I AM FINDING OUT THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL CARS RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THAT IS THE CASE FOR THIS CAR. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTICES FOR THIS. I LOVE MY CAR BUT AM WONDERING WHY SUCH AN EXPENSIVE CAR (AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE) IS HAVING ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS NOW. I WAS EVEN TOLD THAT THE SUSPENSION WILL BE ANOTHER FUTURE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY MANUF
Mileage: 90,000
MY CAR IS WELL KEPT AND GARAGED AT NIGHT. IN NOVEMBER 2012, I WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE CAR AND WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC OF 20 YEARS THAT MY "TOTAL FRONT END" ON THE CAR NEEDED REPLACED. THIS REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF GASKETS, AN OAL FLEX, RACK & PINION, AND A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. IT WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE JOB WITH THE EXPLANATION GIVEN THAT IT WAS "WORN OUT." NOW, THE STEERING IS A PROBLEM WITH STRANGE SOUNDS AND THE PERIODIC MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN DRIVING. AN INSPECTION OF THAT DISCLOSED THAT NOW, THE "INTERMEDIATE SHAFT ON THE STEERING WHEEL" NEEDS REPLACED. AFTER RESEARCHING THE INTERNET, I AM FINDING OUT THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL CARS RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THAT IS THE CASE FOR THIS CAR. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTICES FOR THIS. I LOVE MY CAR BUT AM WONDERING WHY SUCH AN EXPENSIVE CAR (AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE) IS HAVING ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS NOW. I WAS EVEN TOLD THAT THE SUSPENSION WILL BE ANOTHER FUTURE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY MANUF
Mileage: 90,000
MY CAR IS WELL KEPT AND GARAGED AT NIGHT. IN NOVEMBER 2012, I WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE CAR AND WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC OF 20 YEARS THAT MY "TOTAL FRONT END" ON THE CAR NEEDED REPLACED. THIS REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF GASKETS, AN OAL FLEX, RACK & PINION, AND A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. IT WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE JOB WITH THE EXPLANATION GIVEN THAT IT WAS "WORN OUT." NOW, THE STEERING IS A PROBLEM WITH STRANGE SOUNDS AND THE PERIODIC MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN DRIVING. AN INSPECTION OF THAT DISCLOSED THAT NOW, THE "INTERMEDIATE SHAFT ON THE STEERING WHEEL" NEEDS REPLACED. AFTER RESEARCHING THE INTERNET, I AM FINDING OUT THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL CARS RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THAT IS THE CASE FOR THIS CAR. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTICES FOR THIS. I LOVE MY CAR BUT AM WONDERING WHY SUCH AN EXPENSIVE CAR (AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE) IS HAVING ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS NOW. I WAS EVEN TOLD THAT THE SUSPENSION WILL BE ANOTHER FUTURE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY MANUF
Mileage: 90,000
SEAT BELT RETRACTORS STOP WORKING OVER TIME, CAUSING EXTREME SLACK ON THE SEAT BELT. THERE IS NO TIGHTNESS LEFT ON SEAT BELT, EVEN WHEN WEARING WHILE DRIVING. IF A CRASH WERE TO OCCUR, THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DO IT'S JOB. *TR
Mileage: 220,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI 3000GT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. SHE WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE GARAGE FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHICH INDICATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION TRANSFER CASE WASN'T SEALED PROPERLY CAUSING THE FLUID TO LEAK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER IN APRIL OF 2003 FOR RECALL 02V143001 POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE), BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED; THEREFORE THEY WILL NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 180,000.
Mileage: 180,000
I OWN A 1997 MITSUBISHI 3000GT AND THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINT SYSTEM FOR THE DRIVES AND PASSENGER SIDE FAIL TO RETRACT. THE ONLY WAY TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM IS TO REMOVE THE SEATBELT WHILE DRIVING AND MANUALLY FEED THE BELT BACK INTO THE SYSTEM. *TR
Mileage: 10
I OWN A MITSUBISHI 1997 3000GT VR4, AND A 1996 3000GT BASE MODEL. ON BOTH CARS THERE WAS TREMENDOUS SLACKS IN THE SEAT BELTS. I WORRY THAT IF NOT RECALLED THEY WOULD DO LITTLE TO PROTECT ME IN A COLLISION. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS.*AK
MITSUBISHI HAS NOT HONORED THEIR RESPONSIBILITY ON THE RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 02V143001 FOR MY 1997 3000GT VR4. THE LOCAL ZONE REP HAS TURNED IT DONE WITHOUT A PERSONAL VISIT . I HAVE FORCED A MEETING WITH HIM FOR THURSDAY JAN 18TH BUT I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS A WASTE OF MY TIME BY THE LOCAL DEALER. MY CAR HAD THE OIL LEAK AND AFTER RUNNING DRY I HAVE HAD DAMAGE TO THE TRANSFER CASE LEAVING THE CAR IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION. MOST DISTURBING WAS THE FACT THAT THE DEALER TOLD MY 18 YEAR OLD SON IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE HOME. IF THE GEARS HAD LOCKED UP HE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME PUT PRESSURE ON MITSUBISHI TO ACT RESPONSIBLY. *NM
MY DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RETRACT NORMALLY. THEY REQUIRE SOME EXTRA FORCE. IT STARTED WHERE IT ONLY HAPPENED EVERY NOW AND THEN AND NOW IT IS ALL THE TIME. I HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO CORRECT THIS YET. *NM
Mileage: 96,000
THE SEAT BELT IN MY 1997 SOHC 3000GT DOES NOT ALWAYS RETRACT AND SOMETIMES LOCKS UP WHEN I LEAN FORWARD. I HAVE BEEN IN NUMEROUS CLOSE CALLS DUE WIGGLING OUT OF THE PREDICAMENT. *NM
VEHICLE: 1997 MITSUBISHI 3000GT VR4 THE FRONT SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT PROPERLY, THEREBY LEAVING ENOUGH SLACK IN THE SEAT BELT TO DEEM IT UNSAFE WHEN DRIVING. THIS WAS ALSO A PROBLEM ON MY '94 3000GT AND I HAVE HEARD MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS FROM MANY OTHER OWNERS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND IT SHOULD BE RECALLED, AS IT EFFECTS THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. *NM
1997 MITSUBISHI 3000GT VR-4 SEAT BELTS DON'T RETRACT WHEN YOU RELEASE THEM AND YOU HAVE TO FEED IT BACK INTO THE PANEL. *JB
Mileage: 17,500
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS DON'T RETRACT CORRECTLY. WHEN THE SEAT BELT DOESN'T RETRACT, IT LEAVES SEVERAL INCHES OF SLACK. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THIS DEFECT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. THIS DEFECT IS COMMON IN FROM 1991 TO 1999 FOR THE MITSUBISHI 3000GT AND DODGE STEALTH GT MODELS WHICH TECHNICALLY ARE THE SAME VEHICLE WITH THE SAME PART NUMBERS. *NM
Mileage: 105,500
WHEN THE SEAT BELT ON MY 1997 MITSUBISHI 3000GT IS PULLED ON, IT SOMETIMES 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. *JB
Mileage: 64,880
I OWN A 1997 3000GT VR4 AND ALSO OWNED A 1998 3000GT SL. THE SEAT BELTS IN BOTH OF MY CARS DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. WHEN THE SEAT BELT 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. BOTH SEAT BELTS ARE IN GREAT CONDITION WITH NO DAMAGE TO THEM. PLUS WITH ME HAVING A BABY I CAN NOT AND WILL NOT ACCEPT THIS DEFECT OF A SAFETY DEVICE. *NM
SUPPORT FOR A SEAT BELT RECALL ON THE MITSUBISHI 3000GT/DODGE STEALTH ALL YEARS SEAT BELTS ARE NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ITEM. SURE THEY MAY START FRAYING A LITTLE OVER TIME BUT THEY SHOULD ALWAYS RETRACT ON THEIR OWN. EVERYTIME I LEAN FORWARD TO TURN ON THE RADAR DETECTOR, CHANGE THE STATION ON THE RADIO, ETC I HAVE TO MANUALLY PULL THE SEAT BELT IN. ITS NOT SAFE AT ALL. IT IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED. *JB
1 - SEAT BELTS IN THE MITSUBISHI 3000GT FAIL TO WORK ON A NUMBER OF CARS 2 - THIS FAILURE TO RETRACT IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND COULD BE MAJOR IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. *JB
1997 MITSUBISHI GT 3000 - DEFECTIVE CHROME WHEELS FLAKE, PEEL AND WEAR INSIDE SO THAT A SEAL CANNOT BE MAINTAINED. CONSTANTLY, INFLATE TIRES WHERE OF A HORRIFIC SAFETY HAZARD. STRANDED WITH FLATS. EXPENSIVE CHROME WHEELS CAME STANDARD WITH THIS VEHICLE. MITSUBISHI HAS SO FAR ELECTED TO REPLACE ONLY ONE OF 4 WHEELS THAT HAVE SEVERE WEAR AND AFFECT RELIABILITY AND DRIVABLE OF THE CAR. *LA
Mileage: 38,000
NHTSA RECALL 02V143000 CONCERNING TRANSFER CASE. THIS RECALL FAILED ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. A CONDITION EXISTED THAT ALLOWED OIL TO LEAK FROM TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE). DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSFER CASE FOR INDICATIONS OF OIL LEAKAGE OR DAMAGE. VEHICLES THAT HAVE OIL LEAKAGE WILL HAVE THE TRANSFER CASE RESEALED AND REFILLED THE TRANSFER CASE TO THE PROPER LEVEL OR REPLACED THE TRANSFER CASE IF THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF DAMAGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION WAS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DECEMBER 9, 2002. *AK
AIR LEAKING OCCURS IN 2 TIRES. MITS SERVICE DEPARTMENT CHECKED TIRES & STATED THEY ARE FINE. THEY STATED THE PROBLEM IS AIR LEAKING AROUND THE 2 RIMS AND THAT SEALS ARE BREAKING, POSSIBLY DUE TO WHEEL CORROSION. THE PROBLEM IS WORSENING. THIS IS THE 2ND SET OF WHEELS. MITSUBISHI REPLACED ALL 4 WHEELS ONCE BEFORE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM--AT THAT TIME, AIR LEAKED OUT OF ALL 4 TIRES. MITSUBISHI STATES THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THIS SET OF WHEELS DUE TO VEHICLE AGE AND PROBABLY NO INVESTIGATION ALTHOUGH AT LEAST 9 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ON NHTSA WEBSITE ARE LOGGED ON THE SAME MAKE/MODEL. NOT SURE WHY ANYONE SHOULD EXPECT IT'S ACCEPTABLE TO NEED A 3RD SET OF RIMS FOR A 6-YEAR-OLD CAR. COINCIDENCE?
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.