Owners have filed 105 complaints
about the 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage with NHTSA between 1997 and 2009.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 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 — 92
Against the median year of the Mitsubishi Mirage. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
28.6% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 49
29% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1997 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
1019.6%
Engine
917.6%
Automatic Transmission
917.6%
Gasoline
611.8%
Manual Transmission
59.8%
Front
59.8%
Retractor
47.8%
Foundation Components
35.9%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
228.6%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
114.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
114.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
228.6%
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.
Jul 1997peak 13Nov 2009
Recalls on the 1997 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
09E025000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
09E012000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
06E026000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
00V311001
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.
Risk: THE CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Belgrade, MTCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD-ON. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. NO INJURIES. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE $ 4500.00. *AK
NHTSA complaint #895527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seffner, FLCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE AT A RED LIGHT ANOTHER CAR REAR ENDED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. CONSUMER THEN HIT THE CAR IN FRONT, TOTALLING VEHICLE. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #874356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TXCrash
TIRES
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 65 MPH, HAD A VERY BAD TIRE BLOWOUT. FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES, AND BACK DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES BLEWOUT, CAR HIT A CONCRETE WALL, AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND INFLATED. HOWEVER, PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT DID NOT INFLATE. CONSUMER FELT SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN THIS TYPE OF SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #864228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TXCrash
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 65 MPH, HAD A VERY BAD TIRE BLOWOUT. FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES, AND BACK DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES BLEWOUT, CAR HIT A CONCRETE WALL, AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND INFLATED. HOWEVER, PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT DID NOT INFLATE. CONSUMER FELT SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN THIS TYPE OF SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #864228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FLCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
HAD A SIDE IMPACT NEAR THE GAS TANK. WHILE DRIVER WAS COMING OUT OF THE VEHICLE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY, CAUSING INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #863458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Walton, NYCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DRIVER HIT A DEER WITH A 65 MPH IMPACT , DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING NECK/ LOWER BACK, AND FACE INJURIES TO DRIVER, EVEN WITH SEATBELT WORN.
NHTSA complaint #853536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 30,831 milesWinchester, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10293522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,831 milesWinchester, CA
EQUIPMENT
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.
NHTSA complaint #10293522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,806 milesGuaynabo, PR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10219020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ellerbe, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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 complaint #10192677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 milesLAS Vegas, NV
CHILD SEAT
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
NHTSA complaint #10177936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,500 milesOrmond Beach, FL
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
LEFT FRONT CONTROL ARM RUSTED THROUGH ON THE CONSUMER'S 1997 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE.*MR
NHTSA complaint #10117312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Harrisonburg, VA
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
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.
NHTSA complaint #10078399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Juan, PR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 00-V-311-001 NOTICE FROM MANUFACTURER. IT HAD BEEN OVER 2 MONTHS, AND NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10043980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hatillo, PR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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 complaint #10034405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesAtlanta, GA
SEAT BELTS
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT IS INOPERATIVE. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10022931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesLansing, NC
SEAT BELTS
THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RACHET FAILED WHICH RESULTS IN THE BELT BEING LOCKED IN THE RETRACTED POSITION. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10016069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westminister, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
AFTER PARKING VEHICLE, CONSUMER STATES' THERE WAS BURNING AND SMOKING COMING FROM THE BRAKES. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. TS
NHTSA complaint #8023333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Birmingham, AL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NO SUMMARY. DT
NHTSA complaint #769174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hoffman Estates, IL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE PULLEY BELT CAME OFF AND PARTS OF THE ENGINE FELL OFF. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8019454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Harrisburg, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTSDOWN. AT TIMES VEHICLE WILL NOT START. ALSO, PROBLEM OCCURS, NO LIGHTS ILLUMINATES ON DASH. CAUSE UNKNOWN PLEASE GIVE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8008318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jackson, MS
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
EVERY TIME IT RAINS, I MUST USE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, BUT THEY FAIL TO WORK AT ALL SOMETIMES--ABOUT 50% OF THE ATTEMPTS, AND DO NOT WORK WELL ENOUGH THE OTHER 50% OF THE TIME. I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT I CAN STOP THE CAR, LEAVING THE CAR ON, AND 'EXERCISE' THE WIPERS TO GET THEM TO WORK BETTER. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY WERE UNSUCCESSFUL WITH PINPOINTING THE PROBLEM. THE WIPERS HAPPENED TO HAVE BEGUN WORKING, AS IS THE COMMOM OCCURRENCE; SO THAT WAS GOOD ENOUGH FOR THEM. IT IS EXTREMELY FIGHTENING TO BE DRIVING ALONG THE INTERSTATE AND HAVE THE WIPERS STOP WORKING! THAT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIME--INCLUDING ON TRIPS. THE DEALERSHIP WAS WILLING TO TRY A $90.00 SWITCH AND IF THAT DID NOT WORK , THEY WOULD HAVE REPLACED THE MOTOR FOR OVER $300.00 MORE. THEY REFUSED TO GUARANTEE LOCATING AND FIXING THE PROBLEM FOR THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY--PLUS LABOR, OF COURSE. SO, THE PROBLEM JUST REMAINS. I HAVE ESTIMATED THE DATE THAT THE PROBLEM FIRST BEGAN BECAUSE I HAD BEEN DEALING WITH IT SINCE THE BEGINNING OF HAVING THIS CAR. THAT DATE IS AN ESTIMATED TIME OF WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. AS WELL, THE NUMBER OF OCCURRENCES IS AN ESTIMATE. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES IT HAS OCCURRED. IT OCCURS EVERY TIME I USE THE WIPER SYSTEM. I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP IF OTHERS HAD REPORTED PROBLEMS WITH WIPER SYSTEMS OF MITSUBISHI MIRAGES; I RECEIVED NO ANSWER. I WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE HELP IN FINDING SOMEONE WHO CAN REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. I WONDER IF THE DEALERSHIP IS REQUIRED TO REPAIR A PROBLEM SUCH AS THIS. WOULD A WIPER SYSTEM FAILURE PROBLEM BE CONSIDERED A SERIOUS PROBLEM? I HOPE SO SINCE BEING ABLE TO SEE IS VITAL TO THE DRIVING SITUATION. I KNOW THAT WHENEVER THE WIPERS STOP, I HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO PULL OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT IN THE PROCESS OF IT AND DESPITE THE FACT THAT I CAN NO LONGER SEE THE ROAD AT ALL. IF YOUR DEPARTMENT CAN HELP ME, PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL ME. THANK YOU FOR HEARING MY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #759354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Belgrade, MTCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD-ON. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. NO INJURIES. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE $ 4500.00. *AK
NHTSA complaint #895527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oklahoma City, OK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
AFTER RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE ONE DAY BEFORE THE FAILURE, THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE PARTS WOULD REQUIRE A 9 DAY WAIT. THE VEHICLE ENGINE NOW OPERATES WORSE THAN IT EVER HAS BEFORE AND HAS COST OVER 3000 DOLLARS IN ADDITIONAL REPAIRS BROUGHT ON BY THE FAILURE. DEALER WAS VERY BELLIGERENT AND UNCOOPERATIVE IN THE RECALL. I ACTUALLY HAD TO PUSH MY CAR TWO BLOCKS TO THE SERVICE CENTER FROM WHERE IT WAS PARKED(AFTER PART FAILURE).
NHTSA complaint #750456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Trinity, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR A RECALL OOV31101000/ PULLEY/ CRANKSHAFT REPAIRS TO BE DONE. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE IN THREE TIMES FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS.
NHTSA complaint #886215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mount Carmel, TN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
RECALL 00-V-311-001 CONCERNING CRANKSHAF/PULLEY BOLT. CONSUMER TAKEN VEHICLE INTO DEALER TWICE ALREADY FOR THIS RECALL TO BE TAKEN CARE OFF. BUT, EACH TIME T SAID THAT THE TOOLS WERE NOT IN.
NHTSA complaint #885797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Southfeild, MI
WHEELS:HUB
WHEELS: HUB HAS CRACKED. CONTACTED DEALER .
NHTSA complaint #885470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
SUSPENSION:FRONT
VEHICLE OUT OF ALIGNMEMT CAUSING IT TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. NLM
NHTSA complaint #560060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION MAKES NOISE WHEN PULLED INTO GEAR. NLM
NHTSA complaint #560060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
AIR BAGS
THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS BLINKING. NLM
NHTSA complaint #560060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE HEAD ASSEMBLY WAS LEAKING OIL AND CAUSING A BURNING SMELL UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #560060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.