Owners have filed 91 complaints
about the 1993 Mitsubishi Mirage with NHTSA between 1995 and 2006.
The largest single group is the seat belts.
Across this model's run it ranks 13 of 14 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 80
Against the median year of the Mitsubishi Mirage. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 17
3.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1993 compares with every other Mitsubishi Mirage
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Anchorage
825.8%
Retractor
722.6%
Engine
516.1%
Recliner
39.7%
Front
26.5%
Buckle Assembly
26.5%
Ignition
26.5%
Master Cylinder
26.5%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
342.9%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
342.9%
150,000+ miles
114.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 1995peak 6Sep 2006
NHTSA investigations into the 1993 Mitsubishi Mirage
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA96015Opened 28 Jun 1996Closed 12 Jun 1997SEAT BELTS
AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FAILURE
THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT ALLEGEDLY MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILS
PE96006Opened 19 Jan 1996Closed 28 Jun 1996SEAT BELTS
AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILURE
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
PEA Ridge, ARCrash
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED WHICH CAUSED DRIVER'S SEAT TO RELEASE FROM THE UPRIGHT POSITION, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #838035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Myrtle Beach, SCCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS
DURING A VEHICLE ACCIDENT AT 55 MPH AT WHICH THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT DISCONNECTED AT THE DOOR.
NHTSA complaint #804930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 138,484 milesAthol, ID
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
1993 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE, NHTSA RECALL 97V073001 MITSUBISHI RELUCTANTLY PERFORMED RECALL. MOTORIZED SHOULDER BELT STILL WOULD NOT WORK. WAS TOLD TO MANUALLY LATCH AND UNLATCH SHOULDER BELT TO ANCHOR (EMERGENCY PROCEDURE). SHOULDER BELT BECAME FRAYED BECAUSE OF RUBBING ON A GUIDE WHILE MANUALLY USING THE SHOULDER BELT. DEALER SAID VEHICLE IS "UNSAFE". REQUESTED REPLACEMENT OF SHOULDER BELT AND OFFERED TO PAY LABOR. MITSUBISHI REFUSED. APPROXIMATE COST OF REPAIR IS $300- $400. DEALER PAPERWORK AND MITSUBISHI CORRESPONDENCE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.
NHTSA complaint #10167908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Rosa, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
MOVING SEATBELT WOULD STICK IN CORNER AT BACK OF DOOR WOULD NOT MOVE COMPLETLY TO BACK OF DOOR. COULD OPEN DOOR AND CLOSE AND SEAT BELT WOULD WORK PROPERLY, NOW SEAT BELT IS STUCK IN THE CORNER OF DOOR AND THERE IS A GRAY CABLE STICKING OUT AND BELT WONT MOVE AT ALL FORWARD OR BACKWARD
NHTSA complaint #10123702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 152,000 milesLawton, OK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT CABLE CAME OF IT'S TRACK. THIS RESULTED IN THE SEAT BELT FAILING TO RETRACT. ALSO, THE PLASTIC COATING OVER THE CABLE CAME OFF. THIS OCCURRED AFTER THE DRIVER'S SIDE GUIDE RAIL RECALL 97V073001 WAS PERFORMED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *JB
NHTSA complaint #10089271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,000 milesHuntington Park, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
RECALL REPAIRS FOR DRIVER'S SIDE GUIDE RAIL 97V073001 FAILED, AND THE DEFECT RECURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10076142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesWilkes-Barre, PA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT ON DRIVER'S SIDE CAME OFF THE HINGES, CAUSING THE DRIVER NOT TO BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED. THE SEAT BELT MOTOR WAS REPLACED LAST YEAR FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10057994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beaver DAM, WI
SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELTS MALFUNCTIONED. PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED; HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.
NHTSA complaint #10040411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesWest Valley City, UT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
I HAVE HAD LEFT FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT RETRACTOR FAIL 3 TIMES ONCE IN 1998,2000 &2003. THE CAR HAS THE AUTOMATIC SEATBELTS SO WHEN YOU CLOSE THE DOOR THE SEATBELT IS SUPPOSE TO RETRACT BACK BEHIND THE SEAT OR ALONG THE DOOR JAM IN EACH OF MY INCIDENCES I CLOSED THE DOOR AND THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR CABLE COMES OUT OF THE RAIL THAT RUNS ALONG THE TOP OF THE DOOR JAM AND GETS STUCK HALF WAY TO OR NOT AT ALL. IT IS A RECALL I BELIEVE AND I HAD IT REPLACED FOR THE RECALL 2 TIMES AND NOW IM GOING TO A 3RD TIME. IT IS VERY FRIGHTENING TO ME BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE I CANNOT DRIVE MY CAR WITHOUT A SEATBELT IT NOT ONLY UNSAFE ITS AGAINST THE LAW. I HOPE TO SHED SOME LIGHT ON THIS ISSUE AND ASK THAT IT BE LOOKED AT MORE CLOSELY.
NHTSA complaint #10030618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesWest Valley City, UT
EQUIPMENT
I HAVE HAD LEFT FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT RETRACTOR FAIL 3 TIMES ONCE IN 1998,2000 &2003. THE CAR HAS THE AUTOMATIC SEATBELTS SO WHEN YOU CLOSE THE DOOR THE SEATBELT IS SUPPOSE TO RETRACT BACK BEHIND THE SEAT OR ALONG THE DOOR JAM IN EACH OF MY INCIDENCES I CLOSED THE DOOR AND THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR CABLE COMES OUT OF THE RAIL THAT RUNS ALONG THE TOP OF THE DOOR JAM AND GETS STUCK HALF WAY TO OR NOT AT ALL. IT IS A RECALL I BELIEVE AND I HAD IT REPLACED FOR THE RECALL 2 TIMES AND NOW IM GOING TO A 3RD TIME. IT IS VERY FRIGHTENING TO ME BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE I CANNOT DRIVE MY CAR WITHOUT A SEATBELT IT NOT ONLY UNSAFE ITS AGAINST THE LAW. I HOPE TO SHED SOME LIGHT ON THIS ISSUE AND ASK THAT IT BE LOOKED AT MORE CLOSELY.
NHTSA complaint #10030618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 103,000 milesPewaukee, WI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER CAR LATE ON FRIDAY NIGHT AND IT STALLED OUT IN A RURAL AREA. WE HAD IT TOWED TO OUR MECHANICAL AND THINKING IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. HE INFORMED ME THAT THE CAM SHAFT HAD SPLIT. HE SAID THAT THIS IS VERY UNUSUAL. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH I HAVE LEARNED THAT MITSUBISHI HAS BEEN AWARE OF THE FACT THAT WITH THE MIRAGE THERE CAN BE A PROBLEM WITH STALLING DUE TO AN ENGINE SHAFT DEFECT. WHEN I CALLED MITSUBISHI ALL THEY SAID WAS THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THAT AND BECAUSE THE CAR IS A 1993 WITH 103,000 MILES THERE IS NOTHING THEY WOULD DO. I STRONGLY FEEL THIS IS A WARRANTY ISSUE NO MATTER HOW OLD THE CAR IS OR HOW MANY MILES IT HAS. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE OR NORMAL AND ROUTINE CARE COULD HAVE PREVENTED. IT IS A SERIOUS MATERIAL DEFECT. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10017102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Levittown, PA
SEAT BELTS
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE VIA MAIL & BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE LOCAL MITSUBISHI DEALER. THEY DID SOME WORK ON THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT ENOUGH WAS DONE. NOW THEY REFUSE TO DO ANY MORE "GOODWILL" REPAIRS AT NO CHARGE. THIS IS MY SAFETY AT RISK. I EVEN TOOK IT AND PAID FOR IT MYSELF TO ANOTHER SERVICE CENTER AFTER ANOTHER FAILURE. I HAVE WRITTEN REPORTS OF THIS. I ALSO HAVE COPIES OF WHAT I WAS TOLD IS A "SILENT RECALL" WHERE THE OWNER IS NOT NOTIFIED. KEEP IN MIND, BEFORE I TOOK IT FOR SERVICE TO THE FIRST PLACE, THERE WAS NEVER A PROBLEM. ALL THE PROBLEMS HAVE DEVELOPED AFTER THE DEALERSHIP WORKED ON THE CAR. THIS HAS BEEN EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING TO ME AND A LONG PROCESS. NOW THEY REFUSE TO DO ANY FURTHER WORK FOR FREE. I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM AND IT IS MY SAFETY THAT IS AT RISK. PLEASE ASSIST AS SOON AS YOU CAN.
NHTSA complaint #763089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Groton, CT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE FIRST HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED ON 3-8-1999 @30,886 MILES. THE SECOND HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED ON 1-24-2002 @ 55,691 MILES. THEY WOULD NOT HELP COVER THE COST BECAUSE IT WAS LONGER THAN ONE YEAR EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS ONLY 24,000 MILES ON THE HEAD GASKET. I HAVE KEPT ALL RECEIPTS ON MY VEHICLE AND HAVE KEPT UP WITH ALL THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE. THERE MUST BE SOME DEFECT INVOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #758102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bloomington, IL
SEAT BELTS
THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT QUIT WORKING AND THE CABLE CAME OUT ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE STARTED STICKING HALF WAY IN THE TRACK.
NHTSA complaint #753074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Laredo, TX
SEAT BELTS
CAR WOULDN'T START. BROKEN FOR 1 1/2 YEARS. DEALER SAID IT IS A SHORT IN THE ECM THROTTLE CONTROL. ALSO SAID ORIGINALLY THAT IT WAS FUEL PUMP. SUPPOSED TO PREFORM RECALL ON SEATBELTS, BUT IT HAD NOT BEEN PREFORMED AFTER 2 WEEKS IN THE SHOP. CAR IS NOW WORKING, BUT ONLY AFTER ECM WAS COMPLETELY REPLACED. SEATBELT STILL NOT WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #749424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Laredo, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
CAR WOULDN'T START. BROKEN FOR 1 1/2 YEARS. DEALER SAID IT IS A SHORT IN THE ECM THROTTLE CONTROL. ALSO SAID ORIGINALLY THAT IT WAS FUEL PUMP. SUPPOSED TO PREFORM RECALL ON SEATBELTS, BUT IT HAD NOT BEEN PREFORMED AFTER 2 WEEKS IN THE SHOP. CAR IS NOW WORKING, BUT ONLY AFTER ECM WAS COMPLETELY REPLACED. SEATBELT STILL NOT WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #749424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Laredo, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
CAR WOULDN'T START. BROKEN FOR 1 1/2 YEARS. DEALER SAID IT IS A SHORT IN THE ECM THROTTLE CONTROL. ALSO SAID ORIGINALLY THAT IT WAS FUEL PUMP. SUPPOSED TO PREFORM RECALL ON SEATBELTS, BUT IT HAD NOT BEEN PREFORMED AFTER 2 WEEKS IN THE SHOP. CAR IS NOW WORKING, BUT ONLY AFTER ECM WAS COMPLETELY REPLACED. SEATBELT STILL NOT WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #749424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Decatur, AL
SEAT BELTS
SEATBELT WAS FIXED ON RECALL ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO. BUT, SAME PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING AGAIN. AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT, WHEN SEAT BELT WENT TO BACK, IT STARTED MAKING CLICKING SOUNDS. BELT DROPPED DOWN OUT OF CEILING. CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER WOULD NOT FIX BECAUSE IT WAS FIXED ON RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #890925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Owensville, MO
SEAT BELTS
DRIVER'S SIDE GUIDE RAIL REMEDY HAD FAILED AGAIN FOR 3RD TIME. SHOULDER BELT FAILED TO RETRACT TO ORIGINAL POSITION. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #889133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Northumberland, PA
SEAT BELTS
THIS SEATBELT HAS BEEN RECALLED IN 97, WHICH I HAD DONE. NOW OUT OF THE BLUE IT JUST STOPPED WORKING. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND ALSO THE MITSUBISHI HOTLINE AND THEY ARE BOTH SAYING THAT BECAUSE IT WAS ALREADY REPLACED THAT MY CASE IS CLOSED AND THEY WON'T GIVE ME A NEW ONE. OTHER THAN THE SEATBELT NOT WORKING, THIS 8 YEAR OLD CAR RUNS FINE, I DON'T WANT TO GET RID OF IT JUST BECAUSE IT WILL COST MORE THAN HALF THE BOOK VALUE OF THE CAR TO REPLACE THIS DEFECTIVE PART. CAN YOU HELP ME?
NHTSA complaint #743638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brandon, FL
SEAT BELTS
DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT IS STUCK INTO RETRACTOR. SEATBELT IS AUTOMATIC. OTHER PARTS ARE HANGING INSIDE OF ROOF OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #885153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waterbury, CT
SEAT BELTS
COVERED CABLE WHICH IS A PART OF GUIDERAIL FOR SEAT BELT IS GOING TO COST APPROXIMATELY $500.00 TO FIX WHEN THERE IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 97V073001 WHICH DEALS WITH SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #885162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hurricane, UT
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH HOOD FLEW OPEN AND SHATTERED WINDSHIELD, LATCH BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #884786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hartland, WI
SEAT BELTS
WAS HAVING SEAT BELT PROBLEM. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP WHERE MECHANIC PUT SWITCH ON. FOUND RECALL NOTICE #97V073000 IN PAPERS. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP AGAIN. SERVICE MANAGER REFUSED TO HAVE BELT GUIDE RAIL REPLACED. TOLD RECALL DONE. MANUFACTURER AGREED WITH DEALERSHIP. OWNER INDICATED RECALL REPAIRS WERE PARTIALLY DONE.
NHTSA complaint #884725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tampa, FL
SEAT BELTS
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT IS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. AUTOMATED SHOULDER BELT TRACK WILL DISENGAGE AND GO INTO UNLOCKED POSITION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #881830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Reynoldsville, PA
SEAT BELTS
THE CONSUMER WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH NHTSA RECALL 97V073000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL SR97. LATER, AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR ON DRIVER SIDE DIDN'T RETRACT. IT STAYED IN A RESTRAINT POSTION. DEALER FELT IT WAS ANOTHER COMPONENT THAT WAS CAUSING GUIDERAIL TO BE INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #876059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dothan, AL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING CAMSHAFT FAILED TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO HAVING VEHICLE IN SHOP FOR A TIMING BELT FAILURE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. IT TOOK $1400.00.*AK ( SEE ODI # 733265).
NHTSA complaint #874060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.