Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5 | −80% | — | Electrical | Good |
| 2018 | 10 | −69% | 1 | Airbag | Good |
| 2017 | 15 | −59% | 2 | Airbag | Good |
| 2015 | 39 | typical | 2 | Brake | Average |
| 2014 | 44 | 1.3× | 3 | Airbag | Average |
| 2002 | 5 | −83% | 1 | Brake | Good |
| 2001 | 31 | −24% | 2 | Acceleration | Average |
| 2000 | 35 | −20% | 2 | Electrical | Average |
| 1999 | 57 | 1.6× | 3 | Brake | Caution |
| 1998 | 43 | 1.2× | 2 | Airbag | Average |
| 1997 | 74 | 2.0× | 1 | Engine | Avoid |
| 1996 | 28 | −27% | — | Airbag | Average |
| 1995 | 70 | 1.9× | — | Airbag | Caution |
* Complaints compared with the median Mirage year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Mitsubishi Mirage problems
Latest Mitsubishi Mirage recalls
Air bags
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mirage vehicles. The internal acceleration sensor in the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) can misinterpret vibrations such as those from poor road conditions or a flat tire to be a sensor error thereby disabling the air…
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the SRS-ECU software, free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2017 Mirage vehicles manufactured October 28, 2015, to August 4, 2016 and equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps. The affected vehicles may have been assembled without the headlight horizontal adjustment lockout clips properly secured.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will secure the horizontal locking clips as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on September 3, 2016. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820.
Air bags › Frontal
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Mitsubishi Mirage vehicles manufactured July 27, 2013, to September 2, 2015. If the driver enters an affected vehicle with their feet covered water and salt, it may soak through the carpet and cause corrosion to a wiring connector located in…
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected connectors, replacing any found to be corroded. A waterproof sheet will be installed over the connectors to prevent future corrosion.
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.
Equipment › Other › Labels
Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, 'occupant crash protection.' the bilingual english/spanish removable air bag warning labels affixed to the dash and to the sunvisor do not meet the size requirements of the standard.
Remedy: Mitsubishi caribbean will mail a customer notification letter containing a written description and a graphic of the bi-lingual dashboard air bag warning label.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Mitsubishi Mirage should you avoid?
1997, 1995 and 1999 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Mirage years at the same age, led by engine & cooling problems in the 1997.
What is the best year for the Mitsubishi Mirage?
2019 has the fewest complaints compared with other Mirage years at the same age, followed by 2018 and 2017. 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 Mirage problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (124), brakes (73) and engine & cooling (66). Airbag complaints peak in the 1995 model year.
How many recalls has the Mitsubishi Mirage had?
8 recalls across 1995–2019. The model year with the most is 1999. See all Mitsubishi Mirage 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.