VehicleVerdict

1998 Mitsubishi Mirage problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 53 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.1 times the median Mirage year — the 1998 model ranks #9 of 29 Mirage years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 14 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (10), brakes (9), and engine (6), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

53

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

18

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

14

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Mirage years?

Mirage NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 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, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Mirage years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags1019%
Brakes917%
Engine611%
Transmission611%
Tires & Wheels48%
Visibility & Wipers36%
Latches & Locks36%
Other36%
Body & Structure36%
Fuel System24%
Seats24%
Seat Belts12%
Speed Control12%

Does the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage have recalls?

5 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.

97V179000BrakesOctober 14, 1997 · 31 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A POORLY MANUFACTURED VACUUM CHECK VALVE IN THE VACUUM HOSE BETWEEN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THE BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THE VACUUM BOOSTER CHECK VALVE CAN STICK TO THE VALVE BODY.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN REDUCTION OR LOSS OF VACUUM BOOST, REDUCING BRAKE EFFICIENCY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE VACUUM HOSE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKES WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD, AND VEHICLE DIDN'T STOP. VEHICLE SKIDED ABOUT 60 FEET AND COLLIDED WITH VEHICLE IN FRONT. IT CAME TO A STOP, AND THE AIR BAGS ON DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE DIDN'T…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 28, 1999 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKES WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD, AND VEHICLE DIDN'T STOP. VEHICLE SKIDED ABOUT 60 FEET AND COLLIDED WITH VEHICLE IN FRONT. IT CAME TO A STOP, AND THE AIR BAGS ON DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE DIDN'T…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 28, 1999 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BOLT RECALL 00 V 311 001 DEFECT OCCURRED. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT THE DEALERSHIP HAD CHECK THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY AND INDICATED THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE, AND DIDN'T NEED REPLACEMENT.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 14, 2000

“IT POTHOLE CAUSING ME TO RUN UP ON THE CURB. THERE WAS NOT SUFFICIENT IMPACT FOR MY BODY TO BE THROWN FORWARD, BUT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ANYWAY. DAMAGE TO THE CAR IS LIMITED TO TO A CRACK ON THE LOWER LEFT FRONT GROUND EFFECT AND A CRACKED TRANSMISSION PAN.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 27, 2001 · crash

“DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND DEFECTIVE TIRE BLEW OUT - NOT SURE OF CAUSE (TREAD SEPARATION, SIDEWALL CRACKS, ETC.) INCIDENT TOSSED PASSENGERS VIOLENTLY ABOUT THE CAR - CAR SLIGHT AIRBORNE DAMAGED WIRES UNDER HOOD OF CAR; CAR TOTALED”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · April 11, 2017

1998 Mitsubishi Mirage — common questions

Is the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 53 complaints put the 1998 model at #9 of 29 Mirage years. It is one of the Mirage years to avoid.

What are the most common 1998 Mirage problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (10 complaints), brakes (9 complaints), engine (6 complaints).

Does the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 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.