Most common 2001 Mitsubishi Mirage problems
Share of the 31 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mitsubishi Mirage complaints by model year
Best Mirage years: 2019, 2018, 2017. Years to avoid: 1997, 1995, 1999. Compare all years →
2001 Mitsubishi Mirage recalls (2)
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.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The bolt securing the crankshaft pulley can become loose and the pulley could fall off the vehicle.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicles to insure that the bolt is tightened. For those bolts not properly tightened, the bolt and pulley will be removed and inspected for any indication of damage.
What 2001 Mitsubishi Mirage owners say
Speed control & acceleration
While I was parking and while applying little pressure to the gas pedal the automobile accelerated and surged forward crashing two other automobiles and a motocycle. This has caused significant economic damages and an emotional distress on me and my family.
On 9/3/03 my 2001 Mitsubishi Mirage would not idle and kept cutting out every time you came to a stop. I took it to rick case @ 18300 rockside road, bedford, oh 44146 because this is where I purchased the vehicle. The car had 30563 miles. They replaced the idle speed control motor and valve, fast idle air which was under warranty. Then on 10/6/04 the same exact thing happened to the car. This time the car only had 46013 miles. I had to pay for the same exact repair which cost me $520.39 which is outrageous. They say it was different but when I got the invoice both invoices have the same parts and same description on what they replaced. I have both receipts. I think I was ripped off and that they should have replaced it since it was the same problem. …
Body & structure
On 9/3/03 my 2001 Mitsubishi Mirage would not idle and kept cutting out every time you came to a stop. I took it to rick case @ 18300 rockside road, bedford, oh 44146 because this is where I purchased the vehicle. The car had 30563 miles. They replaced the idle speed control motor and valve, fast idle air which was under warranty. Then on 10/6/04 the same exact thing happened to the car. This time the car only had 46013 miles. I had to pay for the same exact repair which cost me $520.39 which is outrageous. They say it was different but when I got the invoice both invoices have the same parts and same description on what they replaced. I have both receipts. I think I was ripped off and that they should have replaced it since it was the same problem. …
Poor manufacturing leading to eventual operational failure. The hood hinge on the right side of the vehicle has seized up. This has placed a great amount of stress upon the tiny bracket attached to the hood; causing it to bend and structurally fail. A similar problem is now beginning to propagate over to the left side of the hinge and bracket. This makes opening and closing the hood extremely difficult, along with the hood not properly closing. Also, the top hinge on the passenger side door has also seized up placing a severe amount of stress on the attached bracket and bottom hinge. The amount of stress caused by the seized hinge has forced the bracket through the door; piercing the metal. This problem has also caused misalignment with the door, resulting in it not closing/sealing properly as well as rubbing against the front right quarter panel. …
Air bags
2001 Mitsubishi Mirage involved in head-on collision with 1994 Ford explorer. Both vehicles estimated to be traveling 35 miles per hour. Air bags did not deploy in 2001 Mitsubishi. Vehicle is a total loss. Adjusters for both insurance companies involved commented that they were surprised that air bags did not deploy. Contacted Mitsubishi because of my concern that air bags did not deploy. Asked if they could have representative inspect vehicle. Their response was that there was probably too little impact to deploy air bags. When I explained that the vehicle was a total loss they said I could do whatever I wanted at my own expense and they would send me a brochure on air bags.
Vehicle was rear ended by semi traveling 20 miles per hour, seat belts failed to hold driver and passenger in place, air bags did not deploy, driver suffered back, chest, knee and ankle injuries, passenger injuried spinitis tendon, bucket seats collapsed backwards touching rear bench seats.
2001 Mitsubishi Mirage engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 27 / 35 / 30 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 24 / 33 / 28 |
| 1.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 24 / 32 / 27 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 22 / 30 / 25 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Mitsubishi Mirage a good car?
Based on 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 Mirage rates average: 24% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Mirage at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Mitsubishi Mirage?
The speed control & acceleration — 7 complaints, 23% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the body & structure (6) and air bags (4).
How many recalls does the 2001 Mitsubishi Mirage have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2001 Mitsubishi Mirage, the most recent from September 1, 2004 (labels). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mitsubishi Mirage?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2019, 2018 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1997, 1995 and 1999. See the full Mitsubishi Mirage years comparison.
At what mileage do 2001 Mitsubishi Mirage problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 67,000 miles; 31% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.