Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I was in a accident and air bags didn't deploy, I replace the brakes a month ago the dealership said I need brakes again,the motor knocks until the car warms up,I pay 400 a month for a trashy little car help me
I was driving down the road and made a left turn to go on the highway. The vehicle started startling and then there was smoke coming from the hood. Being that I was on my way to a family event that was about 5 miles away, I made sure that I was able to make it to the location so that I could at least park my car. As I was driving the smoke continued which caused me to drive my car 20 MPH and all the lights on the dash came one. The check engine light as well as the low coolant light remained on up until I was able to park it. As I put the car in reverse to back it in the parking space the car started making some funny noise and it sounded as if the engine was going to fall out. I shut the car off being that the smoke was getting out of control. I let the car sit for a while so that it was able to cool off and when I tried to see if it would start back up, it did not. …
We had the car aligned several times after the control arm was replaced on the right side front wheel. It was broke when car was purchased. The car stalled about 5 different times at highway speeds. I asked the repair department to check but they said there was no problem. The right window motor went out and had to be repaired. The accident that occurred on 2-13-2001 happened because the engine stalled and when the car pulled to the right my daughter went off the road and was unable to correct before hitting a tree and fence at around 60 MPH the car was totalled and the air bags failed to deploy. Luckily my daughter was not severely injured. She suffered some cuts, bruising and back pain from the accident. A passenger with her at the time was shook up, but was unhurt. This could have been prevented had they fixed the car when it was taken in. …
While holding brake pedal enigine suddenly accelerated into a pole. This has happened twice. Second time a garage door was hit. Air bags did not deploy in either incident. There was a recall ( 00V311001) for possible loose crank shaft pulley bolt and the dealer reinstalled it.
Purchased 1999 Mirage from thompson Ford and was not notified that the vehicle was on a recall. Automobile was purchased in November 2000. Subsequently , pulley bolt completely broke and the entire pulley and belt fell out. This was the first incident, exact days unknown, however month and year are accurate. In April 2003, vehicle stopped. Was informed by thompson Ford that the vehicle wsa not under warranty only to find out approximately 10 days later that it was. Vehicle was taken to thompson Ford after another mechanic had serviced the vehicle and could not find the problem. Thompson Ford replaced the piston and this did not solve the problem. Vehicle was sent to a authorized dealer where they replaced a valve and sensor, however the vehicle still does not run. …
My Mirage has less than 72,000 miles on it. Without symptoms or warning, the car overheated and destroyed two head gaskets and possibly broke the plate. That's catasrophic damage! It's been well maintained and hardly driven. At less than 72,000 miles it will cost more to repair than it's worth. There was no indication whatsoever! It just died on the freeway, going 70 miles an hour. The radiator worked perfectly! Of course Mitsubishi just tried tov sell me a new one. They could not have cared less.
While driving at 30 MPH the crank shaft pulley bolt recall 00 v 311 001 defect occurred. Prior to the incident the dealership had check the crank shaft pulley and indicated that everything was fine, and didn't need replacement.
I saw the recall id 00V311001 but I have already paid for the fix of my car because I didn't saw the recall what can I do about the money I paid to a mechanic I sped $700.00 dollars on the repairs I hope you can help me thanks.
Related recalls (2)
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.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles: mirage model vehicles equipped with 1.5l engines; montero sport models equipped with 3.0l engines; and montero models equipped with 3.0l engines. The bolt securing the crankshaft pulley can become loose and the pulley could fall off the vehicle.
Remedy: On the mirage vehicles, the dealers will install a new, improved crankshaft pulley bolt on the older engines. On new engines which already have the improved bolt, the dealer will tighten the crankshaft pulley bolt to…
Frequently asked questions
Which Mitsubishi Mirage years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1997 (18), 1999 (13), 2014 (8), 1995 (6) and 1998 (6) model years. Engine complaints make up 24% of all complaints for the 1997.
Is there a recall for Mitsubishi Mirage engine problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 01V340001 (engine, Nov 5, 2001); 00V311001 (engine, Oct 2, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mitsubishi Mirage engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles; 67% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine › gasoline (27 mentions), followed by the engine (17).
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.