What is the 1991-1993 Mitsubishi 3000GT AWD Transfer Case Oil Leak Leading to Bearing Failure and Driveline Lockup (VR-4)?

NHTSA recalls 93V033000 and 02V143001 establish that certain AWD 3000GT transfer cases can leak oil. A low oil level can damage bearings and may result in drivetrain lockup, increasing crash risk. The 1993 campaign addressed certain 1991 VR-4 vehicles; the later campaign covered… Severity: high.

What is the 1991-1994 Mitsubishi 3000GT Front Brake Hose Cracking at Full Steering Lock (NHTSA Recall 96V-143)?

NHTSA recall 96V143001 establishes that on affected 1991-1994 3000GT vehicles, a front wheel-side brake hose can crack under full-lock steering and full suspension travel, causing brake-fluid leakage. The resulting warning lamp and reduced braking efficiency increase crash risk. Severity: high.

What is the 1991-1996 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 4WS Rear Steering Pump and Hard Line Leaks?

The all-wheel-steering (4WS) system on the 1991-1996 VR-4 (and select 1991-1993 SL trims) uses a dedicated rear-mounted hydraulic pump driven off the rear-differential pinion. The pump's flanged metal feed line is mounted under the car and rusts heavily over time. When the line c… Repairs typically run $150-$2,000. Severity: high.

What is the 1991-1993 Mitsubishi 3000GT ECU Electrolytic Capacitor Leakage Causing Stalling and No-Start (1991-1993)?

The electrolytic capacitors inside 1991-1993 ECUs leak corrosive electrolyte with age and heat cycling, eating copper traces off the circuit board. The result is erratic running, stalling, intermittent or complete no-start, and — if left long enough — an unrepairable ECU. The 300… Repairs typically run $100-$600. Severity: high.

What is the 1991-1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT Timing Belt and Hydraulic Tensioner Failure Destroying the Interference DOHC 6G72?

The DOHC 24-valve 6G72 in the SL and VR-4 is an interference engine: if the timing belt snaps or the known-weak hydraulic tensioner bleeds down and lets the belt skip teeth, pistons strike open valves. Documented failures have bent as many as 17 of the engine's 24 valves, turning… Repairs typically run $700-$4,500. Severity: high.

What is the 1991-1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT Getrag AWD Manual Transmission Synchro Wear and Gear Grind (VR-4 5-Speed/6-Speed)?

The Getrag-built AWD gearboxes in the VR-4 (W5MG1 5-speed through 1993, W6MG1 6-speed from 1994) are notorious for worn synchronizers, especially 1st-2nd and 2nd-3rd, causing grinding shifts. The synchros are undersized for the mass of the gears at high engine speed, so spirited… Repairs typically run $2,000-$4,500. Severity: high.

What is the 1991-1993 Mitsubishi 3000GT Pop-Up Headlight Motor and ETACS Failures (1991-1993)?

Pre-facelift cars use motorized pop-up headlights controlled by the ETACS body module, and after 30+ years the motors, internal position switches, fuses, and ETACS relays commonly fail. Lights stick up, stick down, raise slowly, or only one side operates (the classic 'wink'). Bec… Repairs typically run $100-$600. Severity: medium.

What is the 1991-1994 Mitsubishi 3000GT Active Exhaust Valve Seizure and Cable Rot (VR-4)?

Early VR-4s have an Active Exhaust System with a driver-selectable Tour/Sport valve in the rear exhaust; the system was phased out after the 1994 model year. The valve shaft corrodes and seizes (usually stuck in the quiet Tour position) and the actuator cable rots away, so toggli… Repairs typically run $50-$450. Severity: low.

What is the 1991-1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT Hydraulic Lash Adjuster 'Lifter Tick' on the 6G72 V6?

The 6G72's hydraulic lash adjusters are prone to internal varnish buildup and wear, producing the platform's famous ticking noise at idle that rises with RPM. Dirty oil or extended change intervals make the adjusters bleed down and stick, increasing valvetrain clearance. It is mo… Repairs typically run $50-$1,500. Severity: low.

Mitsubishi · Known Issues

1991-1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT Problems: 9 Known Issues

1991-1999 model years · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated August 2026

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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1991-1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT has 9 documented known issues, with 6 rated critical. The most serious are AWD Transfer Case Oil Leak Leading to Bearing Failure and Driveline Lockup (VR-4), Front Brake Hose Cracking at Full Steering Lock (NHTSA Recall 96V-143), VR-4 4WS Rear Steering Pump and Hard Line Leaks ($150-$2,000 repair), ECU Electrolytic Capacitor Leakage Causing Stalling and No-Start (1991-1993) ($100-$600 repair), Timing Belt and Hydraulic Tensioner Failure Destroying the Interference DOHC 6G72 ($700-$4,500 repair) and Getrag AWD Manual Transmission Synchro Wear and Gear Grind (VR-4 5-Speed/6-Speed) ($2,000-$4,500 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $50 to $4,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Mitsubishi 3000GT problems?

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1991-1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT has 9 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: AWD Transfer Case Oil Leak Leading to Bearing Failure and Driveline Lockup (VR-4), Front Brake Hose Cracking at Full Steering Lock (NHTSA Recall 96V-143), VR-4 4WS Rear Steering Pump and Hard Line Leaks. Of these, 6 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Mitsubishi 3000GT reliable?

The 1991-1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT has 9 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 6 issues are rated critical: AWD Transfer Case Oil Leak Leading to Bearing Failure and Driveline Lockup (VR-4) and Front Brake Hose Cracking at Full Steering Lock (NHTSA Recall 96V-143) and VR-4 4WS Rear Steering Pump and Hard Line Leaks and ECU Electrolytic Capacitor Leakage Causing Stalling and No-Start (1991-1993) and Timing Belt and Hydraulic Tensioner Failure Destroying the Interference DOHC 6G72 and Getrag AWD Manual Transmission Synchro Wear and Gear Grind (VR-4 5-Speed/6-Speed). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Mitsubishi 3000GT problems?

Repair costs for known Mitsubishi 3000GT issues range from $50 to $4,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What year Mitsubishi 3000GT is the most reliable?

Reliability varies across model years of the Mitsubishi 3000GT. Based on documented issues, problems are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 1991-1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT with 9 documented issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports.

All 9 Known Issues

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Mitsubishi 3000GT problems?

Is the Mitsubishi 3000GT reliable?

How much does it cost to fix common Mitsubishi 3000GT problems?

What year Mitsubishi 3000GT is the most reliable?

ECU Electrolytic Capacitor Leakage Causing Stalling and No-Start (1991-1993)#

Pop-Up Headlight Motor and ETACS Failures (1991-1993)#

Timing Belt and Hydraulic Tensioner Failure Destroying the Interference DOHC 6G72#

Hydraulic Lash Adjuster 'Lifter Tick' on the 6G72 V6#

AWD Transfer Case Oil Leak Leading to Bearing Failure and Driveline Lockup (VR-4)#

Front Brake Hose Cracking at Full Steering Lock (NHTSA Recall 96V-143)#

VR-4 4WS Rear Steering Pump and Hard Line Leaks#

Getrag AWD Manual Transmission Synchro Wear and Gear Grind (VR-4 5-Speed/6-Speed)#

Active Exhaust Valve Seizure and Cable Rot (VR-4)#