Model year record

1997 Mitsubishi Mirage recalls & problems

The 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage has 4 safety recalls and 74 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (18 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints74filed by owners

Crashes · fires13 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths11 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingMay 11, 2009

Headlights

Recall 09E02500042,540 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E02600061,944 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Engine and engine coolingOct 2, 2000

Engine

Recall 00V311001210,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Fix: ON THE MIRAGE VEHICLES, THE DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW, IMPROVED CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT ON THE OLDER ENGINES. ON NEW ENGINES WHICH ALREADY HAVE THE IMPROVED BOLT, THE DEALER WILL TIGHTEN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT TO THE CORRECT TORQUE SPECIFICATION. ON THE MONTERO MODELS, DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT TO THE CORRECT TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS. IF THE BOLT IS DAMAGED, IT WILL BE REPLACED.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Mirage

31mpg combined

City / highway	28 / 36 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,150/year to fuel

Mirage

28mpg combined

City / highway	25 / 33 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel

Mirage

28mpg combined

City / highway	25 / 33 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel

Mirage

26mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 30 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	18	0	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	18	0	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module	15	10	0	10	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	9	2	0	0	—
Vehicle speed controlLinkages; Accelerator pedal	7	1	0	0	—
SuspensionFront; Front › Control arm	7	0	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Retractor; Front › Warning light/devices	7	1	0	1	—
TiresTread/belt	6	1	0	0	—
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Glass, side/rear	3	0	0	0	—
Electrical systemHorn	2	0	1	0	—
Unknown or other	2	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, airAntilock	2	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

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.*JB
Jan 9, 2003 · 30,831 miles
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. *TR
Feb 6, 2008 · 94,806 miles
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.
Jun 1, 2007
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 *JB
Dec 10, 2006 · 180,000 miles
Suspension › Front › Control arm
LEFT FRONT CONTROL ARM RUSTED THROUGH ON THE CONSUMER'S 1997 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE.*MR *NM
Feb 17, 2005 · 60,500 miles
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. *JB
Jun 6, 2004
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. *AK
Oct 15, 2003
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
Aug 22, 2003

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.