2001 Mitsubishi Mirage problems

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

The contact owns a 2001 Mitsubishi Mirage. The contact stated that the front driver's side seat belt failed to retract, and the driver was unable to remove the seat belt from the buckle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the failure as a retraction failure and that the seat belt needed to be replaced. The seat belt was not repaired nor replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11497208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

2001 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REIMBURSE FOR REPAIRS RELATED TO STEERING, RATTLING AND RE-TORQUE OF WHEELS DUE TO SUSPENSION WORK.*TGW

NHTSA complaint #10447609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

2001 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REIMBURSE FOR REPAIRS RELATED TO STEERING, RATTLING AND RE-TORQUE OF WHEELS DUE TO SUSPENSION WORK.*TGW

NHTSA complaint #10447609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

THE VALUES ON THREE OF MY TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE. I HAD TWO OF THE TIRES REPAIRED (DRIVER'S FRONT AND REAR) AND REPLACED THE ONE OF THE TIRES (PASSENGERS REAR). THE REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENT OCCURRED OVER A TWO-WEEK PERIOD.

NHTSA complaint #10231603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

POOR MANUFACTURING LEADING TO EVENTUAL OPERATIONAL FAILURE. THE HOOD HINGE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE HAS SEIZED UP. THIS HAS PLACED A GREAT AMOUNT OF STRESS UPON THE TINY BRACKET ATTACHED TO THE HOOD; CAUSING IT TO BEND AND STRUCTURALLY FAIL. A SIMILAR PROBLEM IS NOW BEGINNING TO PROPAGATE OVER TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HINGE AND BRACKET. THIS MAKES OPENING AND CLOSING THE HOOD EXTREMELY DIFFICULT, ALONG WITH THE HOOD NOT PROPERLY CLOSING. ALSO, THE TOP HINGE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HAS ALSO SEIZED UP PLACING A SEVERE AMOUNT OF STRESS ON THE ATTACHED BRACKET AND BOTTOM HINGE. THE AMOUNT OF STRESS CAUSED BY THE SEIZED HINGE HAS FORCED THE BRACKET THROUGH THE DOOR; PIERCING THE METAL. THIS PROBLEM HAS ALSO CAUSED MISALIGNMENT WITH THE DOOR, RESULTING IN IT NOT CLOSING/SEALING PROPERLY AS WELL AS RUBBING AGAINST THE FRONT RIGHT QUARTER PANEL. THE COST OF THE DAMAGES WILL RESULT IN APPROX $700.00 IN REPAIRS FOR A VEHICLE A BIT OVER 6 YEARS OF AGE. CURRENTLY NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE DAMAGES. WE SPOKE WITH A DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE WHO WAS RUDE AND PRETTY MUCH TRIED TO DEFLECT QUESTIONS WITH NO CLEAR ANSWERS IN AN ATTEMPT TO FRUSTRATE US AND MAKE US STOP BOTHERING HIM. WE ARE CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF APPEALING TO THE CORPORATE OFFICE TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE REGARDING THIS OBVIOUS (AS SHOWN ON THIS SITES MANY CONSUMER COMMENTS) MANUFACTURING FLAW.

NHTSA complaint #10215748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN IS NOT WORKING. HE HAD TO PULL THE FUSE FROM THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT IF HE PRESSED THE HORN TOO HARD, IT COULD DAMAGE THE MECHANISM. IN ORDER TO HAVE THE DEFECT REPAIRED, THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE BOTH THE HORN AND THE AIR BAG MECHANISM. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $700. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 144,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000. UPDATED 12/12/07

NHTSA complaint #10196450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I PUNCHED OUT FROM MY JOB AND GOT INTO MY CAR. I DROVE APPROXIMATELY 8 MINUTES AWAY.I WAS IN MY CAR WAITING FOR THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TO CHANGE TO GREEN. THERE WERE ABOUT 4 OR 5 CARS AHEAD OF ME.I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN MY CAR TOOK OFF LIKE A RACE CAR (VERY FAST).I APPLIED MY BRAKE AND IT FELT AS THOUGH IT DIDN'T WANT TO HOLD.I THEN APPLIED BOTH FEET TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN AN ALMOST STANDING UP POSITION TRYING TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP.IT EVENTUALLY STOPPED. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED EITHER ON DECEMBER 20TH OR DECEMBER 21ST. THE REASON I DIDN'T GIVE A DEFINITIVE DATE IS THAT MY RECEIPT IS IN MY CAR. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME IN MY LIFE, IT HAPPENED AT AN INOPPORTUNE TIME BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE RECEIVED OVER TIME THAT WEEK; BUT DUE TO MY CAR NOT BEING FINISHED (FIXED) UNTIL 4:00 P.M. I LOST A DAY OF WORK. VERY NEXT MORNING I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO FIRESTONE ON ELVIS PRESLEY BLVD. I EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MANAGER AND HE SAID TO ME "MAAM WE DON'T HAVE ANYONE HERE THAT CAN FIX THAT PROBLEM", THE MANAGER THEN SAID THAT HE HAS READ SOMEWHERE WHERE THAT HAS HAPPENED TO SOME VEHICLES. HE SAID THERE MAYBE A RECALL AND THEN ADVISED ME TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. I LEFT HIS SHOP AND WENT TO GOSSETT/MITSUBISHI MOTORS ON COVINGTON PIKE; THIS IS WHERE I PURCHASED MY CAR FROM. I EXPLAINED IT TO THE WOMAN WHO GREETED ME. I TOLD HER WHAT THE MANAGER AT FIRESTONE REVEALED TO ME ABOUT THE RECALL. SHE SAID THAT SHE WILL LOOK INTO THAT. SHE SAID THAT THE CHARGE $105.00 JUST TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WILL BE APPLIED TOWARDS THE BILL (AS AN OFFSET). AFTER THEY FINISHED LOOKING AT MY CAR SHE SAID THAT THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED THAT TO HAPPEN AND THEY DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL OR WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. THE LADY SAID THAT I DID HAVE A LITTLE CORROSION IN MY FUEL INJECTORS AND THIS MAY BE THE PROBLEM. SHE ALSO SAID THAT I NEED TO HAVE MY TIMING/SERPENTINE BELTS REPLACED. I PAID FOR THE FUEL INJECTORS THERE AND I WENT TO A SECOND FIRESTONE TO HAVE THE 3 BELTS REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10177825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

MY REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT DID NOT FUNCTION SO WHEN I WENT TO GET MY SAFETY CHECK FROM MITSUBISHI HAWAII THEY CHARGED ME TO REPLACE IT, STATING THEY COULD NOT COMPLETE MY SAFETY CHECK SINCE THE SEAT BELT WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. AT THE TIME OF SERVICE, MY 5 YEAR MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED BY ONE WEEK. WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO ANOTHER SERVICE COMPANY TO GET A TUNE-UP (THAT MITSUBISHI SAID I NEEDED EVEN THOUGH I JUST HAD ONE SIX MONTHS PRIOR), THEY TOLD ME IT WAS ILLEGAL FOR THE DEALER TO CHARGE ME TO REPLACE MY PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM THAT WAS DEALER ISSUED AND FAULTY. I CALLED MITSUBISHI AND THEY SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS LAW AND THAT I WAS CHARGED BECAUSE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED BY A WEEK. NO ONE BOTHERED TO CONSIDER IT TOOK TWO WEEKS TO GET AN APPT AND MY WARRANTY WAS IN EFFECT WHEN I REQUESTED THE APPT. THIS CHARGE DOES NOT SEEM FAIR SINCE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED ON FEB 22, 2006 AND THE EARLIEST APPT I COULD GET WAS ON MAR 1, 2006.

NHTSA complaint #10154410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. ALSO, THE SPEEDOMETER DID NOT REGISTER HOW FAST THE VEHICLE WAS GOING, AND THE FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED, THE CONTACT DIDN'T KNOW HOW MUCH GAS THERE WAS IN THE FURL TANK. IN ADDITION, THE RPMS DID NOT REGISTER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED. AND THEY DETERMINED THE VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE MODULE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.

NHTSA complaint #10146828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. ALSO, THE SPEEDOMETER DID NOT REGISTER HOW FAST THE VEHICLE WAS GOING, AND THE FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED, THE CONTACT DIDN'T KNOW HOW MUCH GAS THERE WAS IN THE FURL TANK. IN ADDITION, THE RPMS DID NOT REGISTER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED. AND THEY DETERMINED THE VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE MODULE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.

NHTSA complaint #10146828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. ALSO, THE SPEEDOMETER DID NOT REGISTER HOW FAST THE VEHICLE WAS GOING, AND THE FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED, THE CONTACT DIDN'T KNOW HOW MUCH GAS THERE WAS IN THE FURL TANK. IN ADDITION, THE RPMS DID NOT REGISTER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED. AND THEY DETERMINED THE VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE MODULE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.

NHTSA complaint #10146828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

UPON INITIAL PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE IT WAS NOTED THAT EXTENDED USE OF THE CD PLAYER CAUSED THE PLAYER TO OVERHEAT AND SHUT DOWN. THE ORIGINAL PLAYER WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THE REPLACEMENT HAS AN IDENTICAL PROBLEM. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. THE CLUSTER WOULD WORK ON START-UP AND CONTINUE WORKING UNTIL EITHER THE CAR WARMED UP OR THE CAR WAS SHUT DOWN TO REFUEL. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STOPPED WORKING AND NO REMEDY HAS BEEN SOUGHT YET.

NHTSA complaint #10143612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR STARTED BECOMING DIFFICULT TO CLOSE. I THOUGHT AT FIRST THE HINGE NEEDED TO OIL, BUT THAT DID NOT HELP. SOON, THE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE AT ALL UNLESS I LIFTED IT UP AND SLAMMED IT. TWICE MY WIFE ALMOST FELL OUT BECAUSE THE DOOR WAS NOT CLOSED ALL THE WAY. TODAY I TOOK THE FENDER OFF TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, AND THE BOTTOM HINGE HAS COMPLETELY BUSTED THROUGH THE DOOR! WHEN OPENED, THE DOOR HANGS DOWN TWO TO THREE INCHES BECAUSE THE BOTTOM HINGE IS SHOT. THEN I FIND OUT FROM OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH PREVIOUS YEARS OF THIS MODEL AND WITH THIS ONE ALSO. WHY HASN'T NHTSA FORCED A RECALL ON THOSE PROBLEM? THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, AND ONE THAT I HAVE DISCUSSED WITH A LAWYER. COULD SOMEONE RESPOND TO ME PLEASE?

NHTSA complaint #10132807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

ON 9/3/03 MY 2001 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE WOULD NOT IDLE AND KEPT CUTTING OUT EVERY TIME YOU CAME TO A STOP. I TOOK IT TO RICK CASE @ 18300 ROCKSIDE ROAD, BEDFORD, OH 44146 BECAUSE THIS IS WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE CAR HAD 30563 MILES. THEY REPLACED THE IDLE SPEED CONTROL MOTOR AND VALVE, FAST IDLE AIR WHICH WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THEN ON 10/6/04 THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED TO THE CAR. THIS TIME THE CAR ONLY HAD 46013 MILES. I HAD TO PAY FOR THE SAME EXACT REPAIR WHICH COST ME $520.39 WHICH IS OUTRAGEOUS. THEY SAY IT WAS DIFFERENT BUT WHEN I GOT THE INVOICE BOTH INVOICES HAVE THE SAME PARTS AND SAME DESCRIPTION ON WHAT THEY REPLACED. I HAVE BOTH RECEIPTS. I THINK I WAS RIPPED OFF AND THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED IT SINCE IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM. I BOUGHT A NEW CAR HOPING I COULD AT LEAST GET SEVERAL YEARS WITHOUT HEADACHES BUT THAT'S ALL THIS CAR IS AND I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER MITSUBISHI AND ESPECIALLY FROM RICK CASE IN BEDFORD OHIO. ALSO, ON 6/11/03 I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR FRONT DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS DOOR HINGES TO BE REPLACED AND THE REAR DOOR BELT MOLDING TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS COMING OFF. BOTH DOOR HINGES WERE REPLACED BUT THEY KEPT MY CAR FOR 3 DAYS. NOW ITS JULY 2005 AND MY DRIVERS DOOR WON'T SHUT AND THE DOOR LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE DOOR IS OFF ALIGNMENT. THE DOOR HINGE IS GONE AGAIN. I HATE TO TAKE MY CAR IN AGAIN AND BE CHARGED AGAIN AND AGAIN. SHOULDN'T THIS BE COVERED BECAUSE THEY DID THE SAME EXACT WORK IN 2003.

NHTSA complaint #10130456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON 9/3/03 MY 2001 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE WOULD NOT IDLE AND KEPT CUTTING OUT EVERY TIME YOU CAME TO A STOP. I TOOK IT TO RICK CASE @ 18300 ROCKSIDE ROAD, BEDFORD, OH 44146 BECAUSE THIS IS WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE CAR HAD 30563 MILES. THEY REPLACED THE IDLE SPEED CONTROL MOTOR AND VALVE, FAST IDLE AIR WHICH WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THEN ON 10/6/04 THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED TO THE CAR. THIS TIME THE CAR ONLY HAD 46013 MILES. I HAD TO PAY FOR THE SAME EXACT REPAIR WHICH COST ME $520.39 WHICH IS OUTRAGEOUS. THEY SAY IT WAS DIFFERENT BUT WHEN I GOT THE INVOICE BOTH INVOICES HAVE THE SAME PARTS AND SAME DESCRIPTION ON WHAT THEY REPLACED. I HAVE BOTH RECEIPTS. I THINK I WAS RIPPED OFF AND THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED IT SINCE IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM. I BOUGHT A NEW CAR HOPING I COULD AT LEAST GET SEVERAL YEARS WITHOUT HEADACHES BUT THAT'S ALL THIS CAR IS AND I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER MITSUBISHI AND ESPECIALLY FROM RICK CASE IN BEDFORD OHIO. ALSO, ON 6/11/03 I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR FRONT DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS DOOR HINGES TO BE REPLACED AND THE REAR DOOR BELT MOLDING TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS COMING OFF. BOTH DOOR HINGES WERE REPLACED BUT THEY KEPT MY CAR FOR 3 DAYS. NOW ITS JULY 2005 AND MY DRIVERS DOOR WON'T SHUT AND THE DOOR LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE DOOR IS OFF ALIGNMENT. THE DOOR HINGE IS GONE AGAIN. I HATE TO TAKE MY CAR IN AGAIN AND BE CHARGED AGAIN AND AGAIN. SHOULDN'T THIS BE COVERED BECAUSE THEY DID THE SAME EXACT WORK IN 2003.

NHTSA complaint #10130456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

BOTTOM HINGE ON PASSENGER SIDE DOOR IS SEIZED UP. WHEN DOOR IS OPENED , THE PART OF THE DOOR WHERE THE HINGE IS SECURED STARTS TO FLEX. IT LOOKS LIKE THE HINGE IS BREAKING LOOSE FROM THE DOOR. THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED YET.

NHTSA complaint #10121057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

THE AIRCONDITIONER COMPRESSOR BLEW A PRESSURE VALVE BECAUSE ONE OF THE VALVES STUCK. THIS CAR IS A 2001 MISTUBISHI MIRAGE IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD WITH 67,000 MILES ON IT, AND THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ONLY USED FOR HALF THE YEAR AS I LIVE IN THE MIDWEST. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT WILL COST BETWEEN $1,200 AND $1,600 DOLLARS, WHICH IS ABOUT HALF OF THE TRADE-IN VALUE. I CALLED MITSUBISHI AND THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVE A FEELING I AM NOT THE ONLY CUSTOMER WHO HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10116787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

THE AIRCONDITIONER COMPRESSOR BLEW A PRESSURE VALVE BECAUSE ONE OF THE VALVES STUCK. THIS CAR IS A 2001 MISTUBISHI MIRAGE IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD WITH 67,000 MILES ON IT, AND THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ONLY USED FOR HALF THE YEAR AS I LIVE IN THE MIDWEST. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT WILL COST BETWEEN $1,200 AND $1,600 DOLLARS, WHICH IS ABOUT HALF OF THE TRADE-IN VALUE. I CALLED MITSUBISHI AND THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVE A FEELING I AM NOT THE ONLY CUSTOMER WHO HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10116787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

DRIVER'S' DOOR HINGE FAILURE - DOOR FALLING OFF VEHICLE. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED, JUST STARTED HAPPENING. MITSUBISHI DENIES A PROBLEM, DEALER WILL FIX FOR 600 +. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED - I FOUND MORE THAN 5 DOZEN COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE IN THE 1998, 1999, 2000 MIRAGE VEHICLES.

NHTSA complaint #10116324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

IGNITION KEY DOES NOT ALWAYS TURN TO START THE ENGINE. LOCKS UP COMPLETELY, CANNOT START THE CAR. CHANGING KEYS DOES NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10017093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.