Most common 1996 Mitsubishi 3000GT problems
Share of the 25 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mitsubishi 3000GT complaints by model year
Best 3000GT years: 1999, 1998. Years to avoid: 1995, 1997. Compare all years →
1996 Mitsubishi 3000GT recalls (1)
Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
On certain passenger vehicles, a condition exists that allows oil to leak from the all-wheel drive transfer case.
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…
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1996 Mitsubishi 3000GT:
Transfer case lockup
There is no summary currently available
What 1996 Mitsubishi 3000GT owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
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.
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. I looked down and noticed the RPM's were past the red line, this is when I figured out that the car was in 4th gear. I shifted it back into 5th gear and began to slow down, concerned about the pop sound I had heard. I asked brian, if he had heard it and he told me no. I asked him if he was sure he didn't hear it, he told me no, so I kept driving. …
Seat belts
Normal everyday usage of seat belts. The front seat belts do not work any more they pull out but do not retract back. Mitsubishi says to wipe the belt down with a damp cloth then dry off to remove dirt. This does not work now my front seatbelts do not work at all they stay fully extended and will not retract to provide any restraint in the event of an accident or any restraint at all for that matter. (related vehicle information: model year=1996, make=Mitsubishi, model=3000gt).
The driver side seat belt on my 1996 Mitsubishi 3000gt vr-4 has problems retracting. If I lean forward, it won't automatically retract to pick up the slack. This has been happening ever since I purchased the car in May 2003. Since the belt won't automatically retract, I have to physically pull it out, then let it go for it to take in all the slack. The problem hasn't been fixed because Mitsubishi doesn't think it is a problem. If it fails during an accident, my death could result.
1996 Mitsubishi 3000GT engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 17 / 23 / 19 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Mitsubishi 3000GT a good car?
Based on 25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1996 3000GT rates average: 15% fewer complaints than a typical year of the 3000GT at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Mitsubishi 3000GT?
The transmission & drivetrain — 11 complaints, 44% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission. Next are the seat belts (10) and speed control & acceleration (2).
How many recalls does the 1996 Mitsubishi 3000GT have?
There is 1 recall for the 1996 Mitsubishi 3000GT, the most recent from May 14, 2002 (transfer case (4-wheel drive)). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mitsubishi 3000GT?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1999 and 1998. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1995 and 1997. See the full Mitsubishi 3000GT years comparison.
At what mileage do 1996 Mitsubishi 3000GT problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 70,000 miles; 14% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.