VehicleVerdict

1991 Mitsubishi Mirage problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 45 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.7 times the median Mirage year — the 1991 model ranks #11 of 29 Mirage years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Seat Belts leads the complaint categories with 14 reports (31% of the total).

45

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

3

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1991 compare to other Mirage years?

Mirage NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted105 complaints1984: 0 complaints1985: 0 complaints1986: 1 complaints1987: 3 complaints1988: 10 complaints1989: 8 complaints1990: 37 complaints1991: 45 complaints1992: 17 complaints1993: 91 complaints1994: 69 complaints1995: 93 complaints1996: 40 complaints1997: 105 complaints1998: 53 complaints1999: 74 complaints2000: 55 complaints2001: 51 complaints2002: 5 complaints2014: 63 complaints2015: 60 complaints2016: 3 complaints2017: 21 complaints2018: 16 complaints2019: 10 complaints2020: 2 complaints2021: 1 complaints2022: 2 complaints2024: 6 complaints
Mirage NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Mirage years to avoid →

What are the most common 1991 Mitsubishi Mirage problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts1431%
Electrical System1022%
Engine511%
Brakes511%
Transmission49%
Tires & Wheels24%
Lighting12%
Fuel System12%
Airbags12%
Seats12%
Speed Control12%

Does the 1991 Mitsubishi Mirage have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

95V103004Seat BeltsMay 24, 1995 · 658,000 units

Defect

THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.

Consequence

THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE (#95V103004); CALLED DEALER OFF AND ON SINCE RECEIVING IT. DEALER HAS NO PARTS SINCE 6/96, AND DOES NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WILL BE IN, BUT WILL CALL OWNER WHEN THEY DO COME IN. AS OF APRIL 16, 1997, DEALER HAS TAKEN CARE OF THE REPAIRS. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · March 27, 1997

“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE,SMELLED OF FUEL ODOR, STARTED GETTING STRONGER WHILE DRIVING ALONG, PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF IGNITION, CHECKED UNDER HOOD, FIRE BURNING ON TOP OF ENGINE AREA. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 9, 1996 · fire

“CONSUMER EXPERIENCED 4 BRAKE FAILURES WHILE DRIVING. AS A RESULT, ON TIME THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A DITCH. BRAKE PAD SEPARATED FROM THE CALIPER AND FELL OFF. THIS WAS DUE TO THE CASTING FOR THE BRAKE PAD HARDLY GOING INTO THE FLAT. ANOTHER TIME THE PROBLEM WAS WORSE WHEN THE PADS WERE NEW.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · crash

“CPSC#X11C0561A & XX11C0565A. 1991 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE CONSUMER STATED AFTER INSTALLING CYLINDER HEAD, HE NOTICED THE VEHICLE RAN ROUGH. *LN THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VALVES NEEDED TO BE ADJUSTED. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE LEARNED THE CYLINDER HEAD WAS BAD. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 19, 2011

“CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE. OWNER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT EXCEED 35MPH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER A SECOND TIME, AND INFORMED OWNER THAT THE CLUTCH HAD A LEAK, AND THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE VEHICLE'S LOW SPEEDS. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 10, 1997

1991 Mitsubishi Mirage — common questions

Is the 1991 Mitsubishi Mirage reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 45 complaints put the 1991 model at #11 of 29 Mirage years. It is one of the Mirage years to avoid.

What are the most common 1991 Mirage problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (14 complaints), electrical system (10 complaints), brakes (5 complaints).

Does the 1991 Mitsubishi Mirage have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1991 Mitsubishi Mirage. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1991 Mitsubishi Mirage under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mitsubishi Mirage years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Mirage years to avoid are 1997, 1995, 1993, 1999, 1994, 2014, 2015, 2000, 1998, 2001, 1991, 1996, 1990. The cleanest record among Mirage years belongs to 1985.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.