Owners have filed 40 complaints
about the 1996 Mitsubishi Mirage with NHTSA between 1996 and 2004.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 8 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 — 35
Against the median year of the Mitsubishi Mirage. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
60% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 1996 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.
Frontal
1150.0%
Latch
29.1%
Gasoline
29.1%
Master Cylinder
29.1%
Automatic Transmission
29.1%
Sensor/Control Module
14.5%
Pads
14.5%
Ignition
14.5%
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.
Mar 1996peak 7Apr 2004
Recalls on the 1996 Mitsubishi Mirage
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
06E065000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Diggs, VACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT. YH
NHTSA complaint #564003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Diggs, VACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT. YH
NHTSA complaint #564003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 83 milesDiggs, VACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISON IN WHICH THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. AS A RESULT THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO NECK AND BACK. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *NLM
NHTSA complaint #898770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ceref, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING STILL AT A STOP LIGHT IT WAS HIT FROM THE REAR, AND THE PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS ONE INJURY. THE DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. AN INSURANCE CLAIM WAS FILED.
NHTSA complaint #825230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MT Pleasnt, TNCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AT 55MPH, AND THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S OR PASSEGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS. VEHICLE ALSO FLIPPED AND DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BROKE. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED.
NHTSA complaint #815164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MT Pleasnt, TNCrash
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AT 55MPH, AND THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S OR PASSEGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS. VEHICLE ALSO FLIPPED AND DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BROKE. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED.
NHTSA complaint #815164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Glade Spring, VA
POWER TRAIN
I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR FROM DAY ONE. IT HAS ALWAYS USED OIL, HAVING TO ADD MORE OIL ALL THE TIME EVEN THOUGH I DUE AN OIL CHANGE ON REGULAR BASIS. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO RUN LOW ON OIL, AND THE OIL DOES NOT COME ON UNTIL AS THE MECHANICS SAY "ITS BONE DRY". THE AIR CONDITION BELT SQUEAKED FROM DAY ONE, THEN JUST QUIT WORKING. THE WATER PUMP HAS NOW WENT OUT TWICE!!! THE FIRST TIME THE THERMOSTAT ALSO WAS NOT WORKING, WHICH CAUSED ME TO HAVE A MAJOR MECHANICAL BILL...NO WARNING WHILE OUT OF STATE!!! THE WINDSHIELD HAS ALWAYS FOGGED UP NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO TO ELIMINATE IT, WHICH HAS CAUSED ME NEAR COLLISIONS NUMEROUS TIMES. THE WINDOWS SOON BECAME OFF TRACK FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND NOW LEAK WATER. BALL JOINTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THIS CAR BASICALLY WAS A LEMON. I PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW, MY FIRST NEW CAR AND MY LAST FROM MITSUBISHI.
NHTSA complaint #10071159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glade Spring, VA
AIR BAGS
I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR FROM DAY ONE. IT HAS ALWAYS USED OIL, HAVING TO ADD MORE OIL ALL THE TIME EVEN THOUGH I DUE AN OIL CHANGE ON REGULAR BASIS. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO RUN LOW ON OIL, AND THE OIL DOES NOT COME ON UNTIL AS THE MECHANICS SAY "ITS BONE DRY". THE AIR CONDITION BELT SQUEAKED FROM DAY ONE, THEN JUST QUIT WORKING. THE WATER PUMP HAS NOW WENT OUT TWICE!!! THE FIRST TIME THE THERMOSTAT ALSO WAS NOT WORKING, WHICH CAUSED ME TO HAVE A MAJOR MECHANICAL BILL...NO WARNING WHILE OUT OF STATE!!! THE WINDSHIELD HAS ALWAYS FOGGED UP NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO TO ELIMINATE IT, WHICH HAS CAUSED ME NEAR COLLISIONS NUMEROUS TIMES. THE WINDOWS SOON BECAME OFF TRACK FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND NOW LEAK WATER. BALL JOINTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THIS CAR BASICALLY WAS A LEMON. I PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW, MY FIRST NEW CAR AND MY LAST FROM MITSUBISHI.
NHTSA complaint #10071159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glade Spring, VA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR FROM DAY ONE. IT HAS ALWAYS USED OIL, HAVING TO ADD MORE OIL ALL THE TIME EVEN THOUGH I DUE AN OIL CHANGE ON REGULAR BASIS. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO RUN LOW ON OIL, AND THE OIL DOES NOT COME ON UNTIL AS THE MECHANICS SAY "ITS BONE DRY". THE AIR CONDITION BELT SQUEAKED FROM DAY ONE, THEN JUST QUIT WORKING. THE WATER PUMP HAS NOW WENT OUT TWICE!!! THE FIRST TIME THE THERMOSTAT ALSO WAS NOT WORKING, WHICH CAUSED ME TO HAVE A MAJOR MECHANICAL BILL...NO WARNING WHILE OUT OF STATE!!! THE WINDSHIELD HAS ALWAYS FOGGED UP NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO TO ELIMINATE IT, WHICH HAS CAUSED ME NEAR COLLISIONS NUMEROUS TIMES. THE WINDOWS SOON BECAME OFF TRACK FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND NOW LEAK WATER. BALL JOINTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THIS CAR BASICALLY WAS A LEMON. I PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW, MY FIRST NEW CAR AND MY LAST FROM MITSUBISHI.
NHTSA complaint #10071159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glade Spring, VA
WHEELS
I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR FROM DAY ONE. IT HAS ALWAYS USED OIL, HAVING TO ADD MORE OIL ALL THE TIME EVEN THOUGH I DUE AN OIL CHANGE ON REGULAR BASIS. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO RUN LOW ON OIL, AND THE OIL DOES NOT COME ON UNTIL AS THE MECHANICS SAY "ITS BONE DRY". THE AIR CONDITION BELT SQUEAKED FROM DAY ONE, THEN JUST QUIT WORKING. THE WATER PUMP HAS NOW WENT OUT TWICE!!! THE FIRST TIME THE THERMOSTAT ALSO WAS NOT WORKING, WHICH CAUSED ME TO HAVE A MAJOR MECHANICAL BILL...NO WARNING WHILE OUT OF STATE!!! THE WINDSHIELD HAS ALWAYS FOGGED UP NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO TO ELIMINATE IT, WHICH HAS CAUSED ME NEAR COLLISIONS NUMEROUS TIMES. THE WINDOWS SOON BECAME OFF TRACK FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND NOW LEAK WATER. BALL JOINTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THIS CAR BASICALLY WAS A LEMON. I PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW, MY FIRST NEW CAR AND MY LAST FROM MITSUBISHI.
NHTSA complaint #10071159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glade Spring, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR FROM DAY ONE. IT HAS ALWAYS USED OIL, HAVING TO ADD MORE OIL ALL THE TIME EVEN THOUGH I DUE AN OIL CHANGE ON REGULAR BASIS. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO RUN LOW ON OIL, AND THE OIL DOES NOT COME ON UNTIL AS THE MECHANICS SAY "ITS BONE DRY". THE AIR CONDITION BELT SQUEAKED FROM DAY ONE, THEN JUST QUIT WORKING. THE WATER PUMP HAS NOW WENT OUT TWICE!!! THE FIRST TIME THE THERMOSTAT ALSO WAS NOT WORKING, WHICH CAUSED ME TO HAVE A MAJOR MECHANICAL BILL...NO WARNING WHILE OUT OF STATE!!! THE WINDSHIELD HAS ALWAYS FOGGED UP NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO TO ELIMINATE IT, WHICH HAS CAUSED ME NEAR COLLISIONS NUMEROUS TIMES. THE WINDOWS SOON BECAME OFF TRACK FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND NOW LEAK WATER. BALL JOINTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THIS CAR BASICALLY WAS A LEMON. I PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW, MY FIRST NEW CAR AND MY LAST FROM MITSUBISHI.
NHTSA complaint #10071159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glade Spring, VA
EQUIPMENT
I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR FROM DAY ONE. IT HAS ALWAYS USED OIL, HAVING TO ADD MORE OIL ALL THE TIME EVEN THOUGH I DUE AN OIL CHANGE ON REGULAR BASIS. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO RUN LOW ON OIL, AND THE OIL DOES NOT COME ON UNTIL AS THE MECHANICS SAY "ITS BONE DRY". THE AIR CONDITION BELT SQUEAKED FROM DAY ONE, THEN JUST QUIT WORKING. THE WATER PUMP HAS NOW WENT OUT TWICE!!! THE FIRST TIME THE THERMOSTAT ALSO WAS NOT WORKING, WHICH CAUSED ME TO HAVE A MAJOR MECHANICAL BILL...NO WARNING WHILE OUT OF STATE!!! THE WINDSHIELD HAS ALWAYS FOGGED UP NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO TO ELIMINATE IT, WHICH HAS CAUSED ME NEAR COLLISIONS NUMEROUS TIMES. THE WINDOWS SOON BECAME OFF TRACK FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND NOW LEAK WATER. BALL JOINTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THIS CAR BASICALLY WAS A LEMON. I PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW, MY FIRST NEW CAR AND MY LAST FROM MITSUBISHI.
NHTSA complaint #10071159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glade Spring, VA
VISIBILITY
I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR FROM DAY ONE. IT HAS ALWAYS USED OIL, HAVING TO ADD MORE OIL ALL THE TIME EVEN THOUGH I DUE AN OIL CHANGE ON REGULAR BASIS. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO RUN LOW ON OIL, AND THE OIL DOES NOT COME ON UNTIL AS THE MECHANICS SAY "ITS BONE DRY". THE AIR CONDITION BELT SQUEAKED FROM DAY ONE, THEN JUST QUIT WORKING. THE WATER PUMP HAS NOW WENT OUT TWICE!!! THE FIRST TIME THE THERMOSTAT ALSO WAS NOT WORKING, WHICH CAUSED ME TO HAVE A MAJOR MECHANICAL BILL...NO WARNING WHILE OUT OF STATE!!! THE WINDSHIELD HAS ALWAYS FOGGED UP NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO TO ELIMINATE IT, WHICH HAS CAUSED ME NEAR COLLISIONS NUMEROUS TIMES. THE WINDOWS SOON BECAME OFF TRACK FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND NOW LEAK WATER. BALL JOINTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THIS CAR BASICALLY WAS A LEMON. I PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW, MY FIRST NEW CAR AND MY LAST FROM MITSUBISHI.
NHTSA complaint #10071159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Diggs, VACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT. YH
NHTSA complaint #564003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Diggs, VACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT. YH
NHTSA complaint #564003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 83 milesDiggs, VACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISON IN WHICH THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. AS A RESULT THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO NECK AND BACK. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *NLM
NHTSA complaint #898770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ayer, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED THEY WENT TO FLOOR. BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #882556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Herndon, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1996, MITSUBISHI LANCER; WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY CAUSE A CRASH. MITSUBISHI CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #872818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Leominster, MA
SEATS
DRIVER'S SEAT HAS COME APART FROM THE REST OF VEHICLE POSSIBLY DUE TO A BOLT OR METAL STRESS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #868541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sumter, SC
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #720850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Muskegon, MI
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
THE SRS AIR BAG LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH CONSOLE INFORMATION CENTER AND HAS NOT GONE BACK OFF, IT HAS BEEN ON FOR AT LEAST 2 WEEKS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #843525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ceref, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING STILL AT A STOP LIGHT IT WAS HIT FROM THE REAR, AND THE PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS ONE INJURY. THE DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. AN INSURANCE CLAIM WAS FILED.
NHTSA complaint #825230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sunrise, FL
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH THE HOOD FLEW OPEN AND SMASHED THE WINDSHIELD. DEALER SAYS THE LATCH BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #823681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unknown, UN
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
WHILE TRAVELING AT 30 MPH THE HOOD OPEND AND SMASHED INTO THE WINDSHIELD. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE OWNER FOUND THE FRAME THAT THE HOOD LATCH IS BOLTED TO HAD CRACKED AT THE RIGHT BOLT AND WAS HANGING DOWN. A SECONDARY LATCH ASSEMBLY THAT SHOULD HAVE PREVENTED THE FAILURE FAILED ITSELF.
NHTSA complaint #781708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hagers Town, MD
SEAT BELTS
THE VEHICLE'S SEAT BELTS DON'T LOCK, AND THE STRAPS FREQUENTLY BECOME TWISTED. THE STRAPS ALSO DON'T RETRACT PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #815842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Josa, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKES LOCK UP. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, AND THE DEALER CHANGED THE MASTER CYLINDER BUT THE VEHICLE STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #815595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Josa, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKES LOCK UP. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, AND THE DEALER CHANGED THE MASTER CYLINDER BUT THE VEHICLE STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #815595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MT Pleasnt, TNCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AT 55MPH, AND THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S OR PASSEGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS. VEHICLE ALSO FLIPPED AND DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BROKE. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED.
NHTSA complaint #815164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MT Pleasnt, TNCrash
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AT 55MPH, AND THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S OR PASSEGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS. VEHICLE ALSO FLIPPED AND DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BROKE. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED.
NHTSA complaint #815164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mariina, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO GEAR, THE VEHICLE STARTS HUMPING, (LIKE A MANUAL TRANS.) THEN CUTS OFF JUST WHEN IS ON PARKING LOT OR ON STREET DRIVEN ABOUT 25 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #814092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAGS: WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30MPH , SLOWED DOWN TO COME TO A STOP. TRAFFIC AHEAD HAD STOPPED AND VEHICLE DIDN'T SLOW DOWN IN TIME ENOUGH TO STOP. RAN INTO THE BACK OF VEHICLE AHEAD, AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #813919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.