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Research · Subcompact Cars

1997 Mitsubishi 3000GTRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 35 owner complaints for the 1997 Mitsubishi 3000GT. Most complaints involve seat belts (12) and power train (12). The EPA rates it 18–19 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18–19mpg
EPA · 7 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest May 2002
Owner complaints
35
Top: seat belts
Fuel cost / yr
$3,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)

Free remedy

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

Power trainReported May 14, 2002NHTSA 02V143001
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

35 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 1999 – Feb 2014
  1. Seat belts12
  2. Power train12
  3. Wheels7
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic2
  5. Steering1
  6. Suspension1
  7. Engine and engine cooling1
  8. Equipment1
  9. Electrical system1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each 3000GT model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199625
199735
199815
199912
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Seat belts

12 reports
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 18, 2011Seat beltsODI 10401468

Power train

12 reports1 crash
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 11, 2010Power trainODI 10348856

Wheels

7 reports
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 14, 2003WheelsODI 10041790
All 1997 3000GT problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

7 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
3000 GT
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, DOHC-4 (FFS) · Front-Wheel Drive
172319$3,400468
3000 GT
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SOHC-2 (FFS) · Front-Wheel Drive
172219$3,400468
3000 GT Spyder
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172219$3,400468
3000 GT
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SOHC-2 (FFS) · Front-Wheel Drive
162218$3,550494
3000 GT
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, DOHC-4 (FFS) · Front-Wheel Drive
162218$3,550494
3000 GT
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo, DOHC TURBO (FFS,TRBO) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162218$4,400494
3000 GT Spyder
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152318$4,400494
  • 3000 GT
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, DOHC-4 (FFS)
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • 3000 GT
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SOHC-2 (FFS)
    17 city · 22 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • 3000 GT Spyder
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    17 city · 22 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • 3000 GT
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SOHC-2 (FFS)
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • 3000 GT
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, DOHC-4 (FFS)
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • 3000 GT
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo, DOHC TURBO (FFS,TRBO)
    16 city · 22 hwy · $4,400/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • 3000 GT Spyder
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    15 city · 23 hwy · $4,400/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1997 Mitsubishi 3000GT as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1997 3000GT questions

How many recalls does the 1997 Mitsubishi 3000GT have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 29, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1997 Mitsubishi 3000GT problems?

Owners filed 35 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are seat belts (12), power train (12), wheels (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1997 Mitsubishi 3000GT get?

The EPA rates the 1997 Mitsubishi 3000GT at 18–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (7 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026