TRANSFER CASE LOCKUP
FaultScore report
1993 Mitsubishi 3000GT problems
Owners have filed 77 complaints about the 1993 Mitsubishi 3000GT with NHTSA between 1995 and 2014. The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain. Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 7 worst.
FaultScore 51/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Mitsubishi 3000GT.
How this is worked outThe numbers
77
Complaints
2
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
103,989 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
9%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
What kind of bad
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
- Complaint volume — 83
- Against the median year of the Mitsubishi 3000GT. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
- Severity — 20
- 3.9% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
- Early failure — 15
- 9% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.
How 1993 compares with every other Mitsubishi 3000GT
Click any bar to open that year's report.
What breaks on a 1993 Mitsubishi 3000GT
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 61,000 miles
Median failure at 172,462 miles
Median failure at 10,000 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires
Median failure at 151,000 miles
Exactly what failed
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
NHTSA investigations into the 1993 Mitsubishi 3000GT
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
GLASS SUNROOF SHATTERING
1992 - 96 DODGE STEALTH AND MITSUBISHI 300 GT
Recalls on the 1993 Mitsubishi 3000GT
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
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.
Risk: LOW OIL LEVELS IN THE TRANSFER CASE COULD CAUSE BEARING DAMAGE AND RESULT IN DRIVE TRAIN LOCKUP, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
Risk: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE WILL CAUSE ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP AND REDUCTION IN BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
Risk: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE WILL CAUSE ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP AND REDUCTION IN BRAKING EFFICIENCY INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TRANSFER CASE HAD NO OIL IN IT. THERE WAS NO PRIOR EVIDENCE THAT WOULD SUGGEST THE CASE WAS LOW OR WITH OUT OIL. REASON FOR STATING THERE WAS A WRECK, BUT WITH OUT INJURY IS: THE TRANSFER CASE LOCKED UP THE BACK END OF THE CAR CAUSING THE CAR TO START SPINNING. THOUGH AT THE TIME THE CAR WAS TRAVELING AT AROUND 60 MPH, IT OCCURED ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF HIGHWAY, AND NO OTHER CARS WERE INVOLVED. OTHER THAN THE TRANSFER CASE, THE REAR TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED DO TO THE LOCKING UP, CAUSING FLAT SPOTS ON THE TIRES.
NHTSA complaint #757795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE WINDOWS GET A GRESEY FILM MAKING VISION HARD. GAVE UP ARGUING UNTIL SAW MIT. WAS CHARGED WITH HIDING DEFECTS . NOW MOST RECENT PROBLEM IS VEV. FAILED INSPECTION FOR BURNING OIL. WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES AND ONLY DRIVING IT ON NICE DAYS AND NOT NIGHTS BECAUSE OF WINDOWS FOGGING AND SMEARING THIS IS LAST STRAW. MIT SHOULD EITHER FIX OR REPLACE THIS RED LEMON. THANKYOU FOR BEING THE FIRST TO HELP.
NHTSA complaint #743963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
LEFT REAR YOKOHAMA TIRE BLEW OUT. *SKD
NHTSA complaint #481583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MITSUBISHI 3000GT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS MADE AWARE OF A RECALL BUT THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE RECALL EXPIRED. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V143001, POWER TRAIN WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO WORK ON THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE RECALL EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
NHTSA complaint #10577921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELTS FAIL TO RETRACT.
NHTSA complaint #10432668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MITSUBISHI 3000GT. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSFER CASE WAS LEAKING OIL FROM THE SEALS. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR THE EXACT SAME FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V143001 (POWER TRAIN: TRANSFER CASE -4-WHEEL DRIVE). THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT ANY FURTHER REPAIRS WOULD BE AT HIS EXPENSE BECAUSE THEY HAD PREVIOUSLY TAKEN THE LIABILITY FOR THE VEHICLE AND ADDRESSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10349695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MITSUBISHI 3000GT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE WAS LEAKING AND WHEN IN IT WAS IN NEUTRAL, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD UNUSUAL NOISE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND VERIFIED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V143001 (POWER TRAIN: TRANSFER CASE-4- WHEEL DRIVE). THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT PER THE RECALL, THEY WERE ONLY LIABLE FOR REFILLING THE TRANSFER CASE BUT NOT REPLACING IT. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE WAS AN AFTERMARKET PART AND NOT AN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS PART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD NOT ASSUME LIABILITY FOR THE REPAIR AND HE LEFT THE VEHICLE IN THE DEALERS POSSESSION UNTIL THE MANUFACTURER AGREED TO REPLACE THE TRANSFER CASE AT NO CHARGE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 218,500.
NHTSA complaint #10331018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
1993 3000 GT VR-4 MITSUBISHI. I AM ORIGINAL OWNER. ACCELERATOR PEDAL REGULARLY "SUCKS" DOWN TO THE FLOOR WHEN YOU START TO ACCELERATE FROM EITHER A STOP OR WHEN TRY TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY. WHEN THE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED A LITTLE PAST HALF WAY, IT SUDDENLY SEEMS TO GET A LIFE OF ITS OWN AND TAKES OVER AND PULLS THE PEDAL THE REST OF THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND YOU HAVE TO PUT YOUR FOOT UNDER THE PEDAL AND PRY REALLY HARD TO GET IT BACK UP FROM THE FLOOR. I EVEN WAS ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE HOW THE PEDAL STICKS IN TO THE FLOOR ONCE TO A FRIEND WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE RUG WAS PULLED BACK, BY PUSHING IT DOWN TO THE FLOOR WITH MY HAND AND IT STAYED DEPRESSED HARD UNTIL PRIED UP AGAIN. I HAVE HAD THE DEALERSHIPS IN OMAHA LOOK AT IT SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE YEARS AND ONE EVEN REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE COME VERY CLOSE TO HAVING AN ACCIDENT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, DUE TO THE UNEXPECTED RAPID ACCELERATION. ALTHOUGH IT HAPPENS ALOT, YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN, SO USUALLY TRY TO LEAVE EXTRA DISTANCE BETWEEN MYSELF AND CARS AHEAD ALSO TRY TO ACCELERATE MORE SLOWLY WHEN EVER POSSIBLE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I CAN'T SEEM TO FIND ANYONE WHO CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I SUGGESTED VAPOR LOCK WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL TO THE DEALER SERVICEMAN, AFTER SEEING THE REPORTS ABOUT FORD THAT SOUNDED AMAZINGLY SIMILAR, BUT THEY WOULDN'T COMMIT TO THAT OR ANY OTHER REASON. I HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM LISTED IN OTHER BLOGS AND FIND IT INTERESTING THAT THE DEALER TELLS THE CLIENT THAT IT IS THE FLOOR MAT GETTING UNDER THE PEDAL. I HAD THE FLOOR MAT PULLED OUT AND IT STILL DOES IT, SO IT'S NOT THE FLOOR MAT. BESIDES A FLOOR MAT WOULDN'T CAUSE THE PEDAL TO SUDDENLY TAKEOFF AND PULL AWAY FROM THE FOOT TO FURTHER DEPRESS ITSELF TO THE FLOOR AS THIS ONE DOES.
NHTSA complaint #10239567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
HELLO, I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY 93 MITSUBISHI 3000GT'S SEATBELTS. BOTH OF THEM DON'T RETRACT PROPERLY AND LEAVE SLACK IN THE SEATBELT. AND I'M AFRAID IF AN ACCIDENT WAS TO OCCUR THAT I WOULD HAVE A GREATER RISK OF INJURY DUE TO THIS. THIS IS A CONSTANT CONDITION THAT DOES NOT GO AWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10230285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
SEATBELTS DO NOT RETRACT AND LEAVE SLACK WHICH RENDERS THEM USELESS IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10230286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:RIM
ALL FOUR FACTORY MITSUBISHI CHROME 17 INCH WHEELS BEGAN TO PIT STARTING FROM THE LUG AND HUB AREA . THIS RAPIDLY PROGRESSED INTO PEELING OF THE CHROME AND SOON THE CHROME AT THE BEAD CRACKED CAUSING AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES TO RAPIDLY DECREASE LOSING CLOSE TO 10 LB OF AIR PRESSURE OVER A 24 HR PERIOD. THIS LEADS TO AN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION. AND ALSO DAMAGED 2 TIRES FROM UNDER INFLATION. I THEN PURCHASED A NEW SET OF 4 TIRES THINKING MAYBE THE TIRES WERE THE PROBLEM BUT AFTER A BRAND NEW SET OF TIRES WERE INSTALLED STILL EXPERIENCING AIR LOSS.
NHTSA complaint #10219996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
SEAT BELTS DO NOT PROPERLY RETRACT. WHICH LEAVES THEM TOO LOOSE WHEN DRIVING. THIS COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT. WHEN THE SEATBELT 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.
NHTSA complaint #10209274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MITSUBISHI 3000GT. WHILE DRIVING 65 MILES PER HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS VIBRATING AND ALL FOUR WHEELS LOCKED. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND THE STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS HOME. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER FOR THREE WEEKS AND NO ONE HAS RETURNED HIS CALL. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE MITSUBISHI DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR HIS VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 151000.
NHTSA complaint #10208008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MITSUBISHI 3000GT. WHEN SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. HE NOTICED OIL LEAKING ON THE GROUND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE WAS LEAKING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 02V143001 (POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE), HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY INSPECTED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 143,273 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.
NHTSA complaint #10198375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT WHEN PULLED ON, LEAVING EXCESS SLACK.
NHTSA complaint #10192036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
UPON ENTRY OF MY VEHICLE I GO TO PUT ON MY SEAT BELT AND IT GETS LOOSE AND DOES NOT RETRACT BACK INTO WHERE EVER IT GOES. IT STAYS LOOSE AND I FEAR THAT IF I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT I WILL BE INJURED MORE THAN I WOULD BE IF THE RESTRAINTS WORKED AS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO.
NHTSA complaint #10182271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
WHEN THE SEATBELT 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. THE EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE ARE JUST NORMAL DAY TO DAY USE OF THE SEAT BELT, NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY WAS DONE TO CAUSE THIS. NOTHING THAT I KNOW OF HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM WHICH HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE THE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED THROUGH 1991-1999.
NHTSA complaint #10178362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION OUTPUT SHAFT TO AWD TRANSFER CASE FAILED WITHOUT ABUSE AND VERY EASY DRIVING AS WELL AS INPUT ON TRANSFER CASE SPLINE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10174958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
TRANSMISSION OUTPUT SHAFT TO AWD TRANSFER CASE FAILED WITHOUT ABUSE AND VERY EASY DRIVING AS WELL AS INPUT ON TRANSFER CASE SPLINE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10174958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
I OWN A 1993 MITSUBISHI 3000GT VR-4. MY SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT ALL THE WAY AFTER I PUT THEM ON, LEAVING ENOUGH SLACK FOR ME TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS UNSAFE AND THEY NEED TO BE RECALLED. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10174671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
WHEN THE SEAT BELT OF MY '93 MITSUBISHI 3000GT IS PULLED IT DOES NOT FULLY RETRACT ON ITS OWN. IT HAS TO BE FORCED INTO THE BODY OF THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10172021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
EVER SINCE I PURCHASED MY 1993 MITSUBISHI 3000GT BASE MODEL. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SEAT BELT. IT DOESN'T RETRACT AND LEAVES TOO MUCH SLACK. THANK THE LORD THAT I HAVEN'T BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENTS BECAUSE IF I AM, I AM NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THE FACT THAT I WONT BE SURE IF MY SEAT BELT WILL SAVE ME. I THOUGH MAYBE IT WAS JUST AN ISOLATED PROBLEM WITH MY CAR BUT I KNOW COUNTLESS PEOPLE WITH THESE CARS AND THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. I HOPE THIS DOESN'T TURN INTO A SITUATION IN WHICH A DEATH MUST OCCUR IN ORDER FOR THE RECALL TO TAKE EFFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10168698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
I HAVE A 1993 MITSUBISHI 300 GT VR4. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE (PURCHASED 2001) THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE POWER TRAIN. AFTER BEING NOTIFIED I TOOK THE CAR TO BE SERVICE ON THE TRANSFER CASE AT CARMAX MITSUBISHI IN STERLING, VA. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR IT SEEMED TO BE WORKING PROPERLY BUT SHORTLY AFTER STARTED TO HAVE A PROBLEM AGAIN WITH THE TRANSFER GEARS IT WAS MAKING GRINDING NOISES WHILE SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND OR WHILE GOING IN REVERSE, ALSO THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE WHILE REVERSING, THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE REAR WHEELS HAS ALL THE SYMPTOMS THAT WERE THERE BEFORE IT WAS TAKEN TO BE SERVICE FOR THE RECALL. THE DEALER THAT SERVICED MY CAR AT THE TIME (7-25-03) ADDED A NOTE ON THE SERVICE SLIP STATING THAT THE TRANSFER CASE SPINDS WERE WORN OUT AND NEEDED IT TO BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. I TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY SAID THE SAME BUT THEY COULD NOT HELP ME BECAUSE THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON MY CAR WHICH ONLY INCLUDED ADDING TRANSMISSION OIL TO THE CASE A $130.00 SERVICE. MY CAR HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY GARAGE FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS WITH ONLY 72,000. AS MANY OWNER'S MY OPINION THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT DESIGNED TO HANDLE THE HORSE POWER, AND IT IS A CORPORATE DECISION TO REPLACE RATHER THAN FIX THE ORIGINAL UNIT AT AN UNREASONABLE COST. MANY HAVE REPLACED TRANSMISSION UNITS MORE THAN ONCE WHICH GIVES A GOOD INDICATION OF THE INADEQUACY. HERE IS THE RECALL NUMBER. WHAT SHOULD I DO? NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V143001 COMPONENT: POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE) DETAILS: 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. CORRECTIVE ACTION: A PROPOSED REMEDY AND OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE HAS NOT YET BEEN PROVIDED.
NHTSA complaint #10161340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
I HAVE A 1993 MITSUBISHI 300 GT VR4. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE (PURCHASED 2001) THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE POWER TRAIN. AFTER BEING NOTIFIED I TOOK THE CAR TO BE SERVICE ON THE TRANSFER CASE AT CARMAX MITSUBISHI IN STERLING, VA. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR IT SEEMED TO BE WORKING PROPERLY BUT SHORTLY AFTER STARTED TO HAVE A PROBLEM AGAIN WITH THE TRANSFER GEARS IT WAS MAKING GRINDING NOISES WHILE SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND OR WHILE GOING IN REVERSE, ALSO THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE WHILE REVERSING, THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE REAR WHEELS HAS ALL THE SYMPTOMS THAT WERE THERE BEFORE IT WAS TAKEN TO BE SERVICE FOR THE RECALL. THE DEALER THAT SERVICED MY CAR AT THE TIME (7-25-03) ADDED A NOTE ON THE SERVICE SLIP STATING THAT THE TRANSFER CASE SPINDS WERE WORN OUT AND NEEDED IT TO BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. I TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY SAID THE SAME BUT THEY COULD NOT HELP ME BECAUSE THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON MY CAR WHICH ONLY INCLUDED ADDING TRANSMISSION OIL TO THE CASE A $130.00 SERVICE. MY CAR HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY GARAGE FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS WITH ONLY 72,000. AS MANY OWNER'S MY OPINION THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT DESIGNED TO HANDLE THE HORSE POWER, AND IT IS A CORPORATE DECISION TO REPLACE RATHER THAN FIX THE ORIGINAL UNIT AT AN UNREASONABLE COST. MANY HAVE REPLACED TRANSMISSION UNITS MORE THAN ONCE WHICH GIVES A GOOD INDICATION OF THE INADEQUACY. HERE IS THE RECALL NUMBER. WHAT SHOULD I DO? NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V143001 COMPONENT: POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE) DETAILS: 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. CORRECTIVE ACTION: A PROPOSED REMEDY AND OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE HAS NOT YET BEEN PROVIDED.
NHTSA complaint #10161340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
4 WHEEL LUGS BROKE ON DRIVES FRONT WHEEL. LOST CONTROL OF CAR. LUCKILY NO OTHER CAR WAS HIT AND NO ONE INJURED.
NHTSA complaint #10159014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
I HAVE A 93 3000GT VR4 AND THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT, AND IT'S VERY DANGEROUS. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ON MY 94 3000GT SL. I HAVE NOT DONE ANY THING TO IT BECAUSE I KNOW IT WILL BE EXPENSIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10158931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
THE SEAT BELT IN MY 1993 MITSUBISHI 3000GT SL DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY. THE BELT WILL STILL HAVE SLACK IN IT AND IT WILL NOT RETRACT TO ITS ORIGINAL POSITION. IF I HAVE TO BRAKE HARD THE BELT WILL NOT KEEP ME AGAINST THE BACK OF THE SEAT BECAUSE IT HAS SO MUCH SLACK, ONCE IT IS PULLED ON IT WILL NOT RETRACT. SOMETIMES AFTER I GET OUT OF THE CAR THE SEAT BELT WILL HANG OUTSIDE OF THE DOOR AFTER I SHUT THE DOOR FROM ALL OF THE SLACK IN THE BELT. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON DODGE STEALTHS AND MITSUBISHI 3000GT AND IT IS VERY UNSAFE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10156728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
SEAT BELTS IN MY 1993 3000GT VR4 DO NOT RETRACT CORRECTLY, THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN TO A LOT OF OTHER FRIENDS I KNOW THAT HAVE THIS CAR, AND THE SLACK THE SEAT BELT LEAVES IS EXTREMELY UNREASONABLE, IT WONT RETRACT AT ALL SOMETIMES AND YOU HAVE TO HAND FEED IT BACK IN THE SLOT. I CALL MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIPS AND THEY SAY I HAVE TO PAY FOR NEW SEAT BELT REPLACEMENTS TO HAVE THIS FIXED. IF THEY ARE CAUSING SAFETY ISSUES WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR NEW SEAT BELTS?
NHTSA complaint #10156418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.