RoadVitals

1997 Mitsubishi Mirage

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
74
Latest Nov 25, 2009
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest May 11, 2009
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
14
11 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 74 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage, most frequently naming the engine, airbags and transmission categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 49 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine1820.0%
  • Airbags1516.7%
  • Transmission1314.4%
  • Seat belts77.8%
  • Brakes77.8%
  • Suspension66.7%
  • Driver assistance55.6%
  • Tires & wheels55.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
09E025000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

May 11, 2009
42,540 units potentially affected
The defect: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
DOPE, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
09E012000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 7, 2009
16,270 units potentially affected
The defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
SABERSPORTView on NHTSA.gov
06E026000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Mar 23, 2006
61,944 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
PRO-A MOTORS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 74
Driver assistanceOther / unspecified
Filed Nov 25, 2009

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE. THE CLIPS THAT SECURES THE FLOOR-MATS TO THE FLOORBOARD HAS FRACTURED. THIS CONDITION CAUSES THE FLOOR-MAT TO SHIFT UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS NOT A REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,831 THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 01/20/10 *BF UPDATED 01/22/10.*JB

NHTSA ID
10293522
Incident
Jan 9, 2003
Mileage
30,831 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 24, 2008

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10219020
Incident
Feb 6, 2008
Mileage
94,806 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 7, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, AN UNKNOWN INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT IT WOULD COST $2,200 TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW WHAT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED. THE # OF CYLINDERS, PURCHASE DATE, AND MILEAGE INFORMATION WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10192677
Incident
Jun 1, 2007
Seat belts
Filed Jan 5, 2007

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN MAKING A TURN ITHE SAFETY SEAT WILL FLIP OVER. SHE HAS TO HOLD THE SAFETY SEAT WHILE TURNING THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO REACH THE SEAT. WHILE DRIVING THE CONTACT MUST POSITION THE SEAT AS FAR BACK AS POSSIBLE SO THAT SHE MAY PREVENT THE SEAT FROM FLIPPING OVER. SINCE THE CHILD WEAS ONLY 1 MONTH OLD THE CHILD COULD NOT BE PLACED IN THE FRONT SEAT. EDDIE BAUER COMFORT #22630LKM. NEEDED TO REGISTER CAR SEAT-702-807-9025. UPDATED *JB

NHTSA ID
10177936
Incident
Dec 10, 2006
Mileage
180,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Mar 28, 2005

LEFT FRONT CONTROL ARM RUSTED THROUGH ON THE CONSUMER'S 1997 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE.*MR *NM

NHTSA ID
10117312
Incident
Feb 17, 2005
Mileage
60,500 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 17, 2004

DUNLOP SP 20 TIRES SIZE 185/65-14. ONE TIRE SEPERATED AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. IN ADDITION OTHER 3 TIRES ON VEHICLE WERE WELL ON WAY TO SEPERATION. HAD TO PURCHASE 4 TIRES. *JB

NHTSA ID
10078399
Incident
Jun 6, 2004
Engine
Filed Oct 15, 2003

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 00-V-311-001 NOTICE FROM MANUFACTURER. IT HAD BEEN OVER 2 MONTHS, AND NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10043980
Incident
Oct 15, 2003
Engine
Filed Oct 10, 2003

RECALL 00-V-311-001: MIRAGE MODEL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.5L ENGINES; THE BOLT SECURING THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY CAN BECOME LOOSE AND THE PULLEY COULD FALL OFF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER WON'T HONOR THE RECALL.*AK THE BOLT HOLDING CRANSHAFT PULLEY BECAME LOOSE AGAIN. *TS *NLM

NHTSA ID
10034405
Incident
Aug 22, 2003

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSB-22-54-003

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by improper sealing or a defective/broken part.

TSB-21-34-001

SUSPENSION

This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers informing them a shock absorber oil leak may result in replacement of absorbers unnecessarily when trace amounts of oil are noted to have adhered to the shock absorber.

TIN-20-55B-001

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Technical Information Notice to dealerships. Due to the increased occurrence of Mirage/Mirage G4 vehicles exhibiting faulty air conditioning systems caused by low/high refrigerant levels; MMNA would like to remind all Dealer Service Personnel of the correct procedures when submitting warranty claims of this distinction.

TT253

EQUIPMENT

This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.

TSB-19-00-008

EQUIPMENT

This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin supersedes TSB-18-00-003, issued April, 2018, to add updated information for Carrying Capacity Reduced Label.

TT237

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mitsubishi Mirage by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024300—
2023000—
2022200—
2021100—
2020100—
2019500—
2018101053.6
2017152053.2
2016110—
2015392056.7
2014443059.3
2013000—
2002540—
2001315059.0
2000355057.6
1999576057.3
1998435060.6
1997Viewing744055.4
1996281054.0
1995701055.3
1994601363.6
1993733254.5
1992151239.8
1991381355.0
1990331351.6
1989613—
1988813—
1987313—
1986113—
1985002—
1984001—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.