Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 1.5× | 2 | Brake | Few |
| 2016 | 0 | −20% | 2 | — | Few |
| 2014 | 0 | −20% | 3 | — | Few |
| 2013 | 0 | −20% | 2 | — | Few |
| 2012 | 13 | 7.5× | 6 | Brake | Caution |
* Complaints compared with the median i-MiEV year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Mitsubishi i-MiEV problems
Latest Mitsubishi i-MiEV recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2012-2017 i-MiEV vehicles. Water may penetrate the brake assist vacuum pump, causing corrosion and a failure of the brake vacuum pump.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake vacuum pump, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling all 2016-2017 i-MiEV vehicles, equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on December 15, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2012 and 2014 i-MiEV vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 10, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820.
Air bags
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage vehicles manufactured July 27, 2013, to November 20, 2013, and 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV vehicles manufactured October 28, 2011, to September 7, 2012.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected impact sensors, free of charge. The recall began on November 5, 2015. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 i-MiEV electric vehicles manufactured September 15, 2009, to March 25, 2014. Due to either software programming or corrosion caused by road salt, the brake vacuum pump may stop functioning.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and depending on the affected vehicle, dealers will either reprogram the brake vacuum pump controller, replace the brake vacuum pump or do both, free of charge.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV should you avoid?
2012 — this year has the most complaints relative to other i-MiEV years at the same age, led by brakes problems in the 2012.
What is the best year for the Mitsubishi i-MiEV?
2013 has the fewest complaints compared with other i-MiEV years at the same age, followed by 2014 and 2016. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Mitsubishi i-MiEV problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the brakes (9), electrical system (3) and air bags (2). Brake complaints peak in the 2012 model year.
How many recalls has the Mitsubishi i-MiEV had?
7 recalls across 2012–2017. The model year with the most is 2012. See all Mitsubishi i-MiEV recalls by year.
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.