VehicleVerdict

1993 Mitsubishi Mirage problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 91 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.4 times the median Mirage year — the 1993 model ranks #3 of 29 Mirage years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: seat belts issues account for 64% of all reports (58 of 91), far ahead of engine at 10.

91

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

2

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1993 compare to other Mirage years?

Mirage NHTSA complaints by model year, 1993 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, 1993 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Mirage years to avoid →

What are the most common 1993 Mitsubishi Mirage problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts5864%
Engine1011%
Seats44%
Electrical System33%
Transmission33%
Brakes22%
Other22%
Body & Structure22%
Latches & Locks11%
Speed Control11%
Steering11%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Tires & Wheels11%
Fuel System11%
Lighting11%

Does the 1993 Mitsubishi Mirage have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E065000LightingJuly 17, 2006 · 3,593 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

97V063001Latches & LocksApril 18, 1997 · 38,948 units

Defect

EXCESS LUBRICATION CAN CAUSE THE RUBBER DOOR LATCH SWITCH COVER TO DEFORM, AND THE DOOR LATCH SWITCH TO MALFUNCTION, SO THAT THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHORAGE WOULD REMAIN AT THE A-PILLAR WHEN THE DOOR WAS CLOSED.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DOOR LATCH SWITCH.

97V073001Seat BeltsApril 18, 1997 · 15,405 units

Defect

THE GUIDE RAIL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE CONTAINS A COVERED CABLE AND ALSO AN ANGLED BELT GUIDE AT THE TOP END OF THE WEBBING. THE COMBINATION OF THESE FACTORS CAN LEAD, OVER TIME, TO THE CABLE'S MOVEMENT EXERTING ABRADING FORCE TO THE LOWER EDGES OF THE CABLE'S CHAMBER, SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE THE CABLE TO DROP OUT OF THE CHAMBER WITH THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHORAGE BECOMING STUCK.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REPLACEMENT GUIDE RAIL.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“DURING A VEHICLE ACCIDENT AT 55 MPH AT WHICH THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT DISCONNECTED AT THE DOOR. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · November 7, 1996 · crash

“THE FIRST HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED ON 3-8-1999 @30,886 MILES. THE SECOND HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED ON 1-24-2002 @ 55,691 MILES. THEY WOULD NOT HELP COVER THE COST BECAUSE IT WAS LONGER THAN ONE YEAR EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS ONLY 24,000 MILES ON THE HEAD GASKET. I HAVE KEPT ALL RECEIPTS ON MY VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 21, 2002

“WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED WHICH CAUSED DRIVER'S SEAT TO RELEASE FROM THE UPRIGHT POSITION, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · crash

“CAR WOULDN'T START. BROKEN FOR 1 1/2 YEARS. DEALER SAID IT IS A SHORT IN THE ECM THROTTLE CONTROL. ALSO SAID ORIGINALLY THAT IT WAS FUEL PUMP. SUPPOSED TO PREFORM RECALL ON SEATBELTS, BUT IT HAD NOT BEEN PREFORMED AFTER 2 WEEKS IN THE SHOP. CAR IS NOW WORKING, BUT ONLY AFTER ECM WAS COMPLETELY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 15, 2000

“AUTO-TRANSMISSION PERFORMS ERRATICALALLY, CHANGING GEARS ROUGHLY; GEARS MAY ALSO DROP INTO NEUTRAL THEN INTO REVERSE WITHOUT KNOWN CAUSE. TT”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 20, 1995

1993 Mitsubishi Mirage — common questions

Is the 1993 Mitsubishi Mirage reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 91 complaints put the 1993 model at #3 of 29 Mirage years. It is one of the Mirage years to avoid.

What are the most common 1993 Mirage problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (58 complaints), engine (10 complaints), seats (4 complaints).

Does the 1993 Mitsubishi Mirage have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1993 Mitsubishi Mirage. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1993 Mitsubishi Mirage under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 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.