VehicleVerdict

1997 Mitsubishi Mirage problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 105 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 6.2 times the median Mirage year — the 1997 model ranks #1 of 29 Mirage years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 13 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (18), engine (18), and airbags (15), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

105

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

18

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

13

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Mirage years?

Mirage NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 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, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Mirage years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1817%
Transmission1817%
Airbags1514%
Brakes1110%
Seat Belts77%
Speed Control77%
Suspension77%
Tires & Wheels77%
Electrical System33%
Visibility & Wipers33%
Other33%
Fuel System22%
Body & Structure11%
Child Seat11%
Seats11%
Lighting11%

Does the 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage have recalls?

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

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

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.

00V311001EngineOctober 2, 2000 · 210,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THE CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 1, 2007

“THE CAR IS HAVING A PROBLEM SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AFTER RUNNING TESTS THEY DETERMINED I WAS IN NEED OF A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WAS JUST SERVICED IN JANUARY. I WAS NOT EXPERIENCING ANY OTHER PROBLEMS UNTIL ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STARTED SHIFTING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 17, 2000

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 17, 2000 · crash

“HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER & INFORMED BY MECHANIC NO DEFECTS OR PROBLEMS W/BRAKES. LATER, HAD AN ACCIDENT & FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE FOUND TO BE WORN UNEVENLY ON ONE SIDE, BUT NOT ON OTHER SIDE. BACK BRAKES WERE FOUND TOTALLY OUT OF ADJUSTMENT. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 18, 1997 · crash

“ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS UPON APPROACHING TO MAKE A GRADUAL STOP, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD, RESULTING IN THE CONSUMER HAVING AN ACCIDENT ON TWO DIFFERENT INCIDENTS. CONSUMER BELIEVES THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED DUE TO THE FUEL INJECTIONS. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS NOT REPLACED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · November 18, 1997 · crash

1997 Mitsubishi Mirage — common questions

Is the 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 105 complaints put the 1997 model at #1 of 29 Mirage years. It is one of the Mirage years to avoid.

What are the most common 1997 Mirage problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (18 complaints), engine (18 complaints), airbags (15 complaints).

Does the 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.