VehicleVerdict

1991 Mitsubishi 3000GT problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 75 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.7 times the median 3000GT year — the 1991 model ranks #4 of 16 3000GT years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: transmission issues account for 60% of all reports (45 of 75), far ahead of seat belts at 11.

75

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

3

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1991 compare to other 3000GT years?

3000GT NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted135 complaints1986: 0 complaints1987: 0 complaints1988: 0 complaints1989: 0 complaints1990: 0 complaints1991: 75 complaints1992: 135 complaints1993: 77 complaints1994: 84 complaints1995: 62 complaints1996: 26 complaints1997: 42 complaints1998: 19 complaints1999: 13 complaints2001: 1 complaints2002: 1 complaints
3000GT NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 3000GT years to avoid →

What are the most common 1991 Mitsubishi 3000GT problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission4560%
Seat Belts1115%
Engine45%
Brakes45%
Other34%
Speed Control23%
Airbags23%
Tires & Wheels23%
Electrical System11%
Suspension11%

Does the 1991 Mitsubishi 3000GT have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

02V143001TransmissionMay 14, 2002 · 15,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A CONDITION EXISTS THAT ALLOWS OIL TO LEAK FROM THE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE TRANSFER CASE.

Consequence

LOW OIL LEVELS IN THE TRANSFER CASE COULD CAUSE BEARING DAMAGE AND RESULT IN DRIVE TRAIN LOCKUP, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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 TRANSFER CASE IF THERE IS EVIDENCE OF DAMAGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DECEMBER 9, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AMERICA AT 1-888-648-7820 OR MITSUBMISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.

96V143002BrakesAugust 12, 1996 · 10,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE WILL CAUSE ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP AND REDUCTION IN BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT WHEEL-SIDE BRAKE HOSES WITH REVISED HOSE ASSEMBLIES.

96V143001BrakesJuly 25, 1996 · 93,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE WILL CAUSE ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP AND REDUCTION IN BRAKING EFFICIENCY INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT WHEEL-SIDE BRAKE HOSES WITH REVISED HOSE ASSEMBLIES.

95V103004Seat BeltsMay 24, 1995 · 658,000 units

Defect

THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.

Consequence

THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.

93V033000TransmissionMarch 26, 1993 · 3,154 units

Defect

A CONDITION EXISTS THAT ALLOWS OIL TO LEAK FROM THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE TRANSFER CASE. LOW OIL LEVELS IN THE TRANSFER CASE CAN CAUSE BEARING DAMAGE AND FAILURE.

Consequence

BEARING FAILURE IN THE TRANSFER CASE CAN RESULT INPOWER TRAIN LOCKUP WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, WHILE THE VEHICLE IS AT HIGHWAY SPEED.THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

INSTALL A C-RING TO TRANSFER CASE TO PREVENT OIL LEAKAGE, OR REPLACE TRANSFER CASE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT OIL LEVELS IN THE TRANSFER CASE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHILE DRIVING IN A STOP AND GO/BUMPER-TO-BUMPER TRAFFIC VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND LURCHED FORWARD AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED VEHICLE'S CONTROL UNIT. *AK TRANSMISSION FEELS AS IF SLIPPING GEARS.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 1, 2004 · crash

“THE SEAT BELT RETURN MECHANISMS ON MY 1991 3000GT VR-4 NO LONGER WORKS PROPERLY WHICH LEAVES SLACK IN THE SAFETY BELT. IF AN CRASH WERE TO OCCUR WITH THIS SLACK IN THE SEAT BELT THE SEAT BELT WOULD NO LONGER SERVE ITS PURPOSE AS A SAFETY RESTRAINT. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · February 11, 2003

“INFORMATION REQUEST REGARDING TRANSMISSIONS WEARING PREMATURELY/BREAKING ON 1991-1993 MITSUBISHI 3000 GT AND DODGE STEALTH. *MR ALSO IN REFERENCE TO THE MITSUBISHI 3000GT VR4. THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION WORE PREMATURELY. RECALL#02V143001. ALTHOUGH THE OUTPUT SHAFT GOES INTO THE TRANSFER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 9, 2004

“WHILE DRIVING IN A STOP AND GO/BUMPER-TO-BUMPER TRAFFIC VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND LURCHED FORWARD AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED VEHICLE'S CONTROL UNIT. *AK TRANSMISSION FEELS AS IF SLIPPING GEARS.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 1, 2004 · crash

1991 Mitsubishi 3000GT — common questions

Is the 1991 Mitsubishi 3000GT reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 75 complaints put the 1991 model at #4 of 16 3000GT years. It is one of the 3000GT years to avoid.

What are the most common 1991 3000GT problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (45 complaints), seat belts (11 complaints), brakes (4 complaints).

Does the 1991 Mitsubishi 3000GT have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1991 Mitsubishi 3000GT. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1991 Mitsubishi 3000GT under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mitsubishi 3000GT years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 3000GT years to avoid are 1992, 1994, 1993, 1991, 1995, 1997. The cleanest record among 3000GT years belongs to 1990.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.