VehicleVerdict

2001 Mitsubishi Mirage problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 51 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.0 times the median Mirage year — the 2001 model ranks #10 of 29 Mirage years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 32 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (8), speed control (7), and seat belts (6), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

51

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

23

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

32

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Mirage years?

Mirage NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 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, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Mirage years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Mitsubishi Mirage problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags816%
Speed Control714%
Seat Belts612%
Body & Structure612%
Electrical System510%
Seats48%
Brakes36%
Fuel System24%
Other24%
Steering24%
Transmission24%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)12%
Suspension12%
Engine12%
Tires & Wheels12%

Does the 2001 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.

04V428000OtherSeptember 1, 2004 · 100,432 units

Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Consequence

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy

MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.

01V340001EngineNovember 5, 2001 · 18,630 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. 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

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES TO INSURE THAT THE BOLT IS TIGHTENED. FOR THOSE BOLTS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED, THE BOLT AND PULLEY WILL BE REMOVED AND INSPECTED FOR ANY INDICATION OF DAMAGE. COMPONENTS SHOWING ANY SIGNS OF DAMAGE WILL BE REPLACED AND THE BOLT TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 26, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AMERICA AT 1-888-648-7820.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY SEMI TRAVELING 20 MILES PER HOUR, SEAT BELTS FAILED TO HOLD DRIVER AND PASSENGER IN PLACE, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, DRIVER SUFFERED BACK, CHEST, KNEE AND ANKLE INJURIES, PASSENGER INJURIED SPINITIS TENDON, BUCKET SEATS COLLAPSED BACKWARDS TOUCHING REAR BENCH SEATS. *TT ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 6, 2001 · crash

“WHILE I WAS PARKING AND WHILE APPLYING LITTLE PRESSURE TO THE GAS PEDAL THE AUTOMOBILE ACCELERATED AND SURGED FORWARD CRASHING TWO OTHER AUTOMOBILES AND A MOTOCYCLE. THIS HAS CAUSED SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC DAMAGES AND AN EMOTIONAL DISTRESS ON ME AND MY FAMILY. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · May 27, 2006 · crash

“DRIVER'S' DOOR HINGE FAILURE - DOOR FALLING OFF VEHICLE. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED, JUST STARTED HAPPENING. MITSUBISHI DENIES A PROBLEM, DEALER WILL FIX FOR 600 +. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED - I FOUND MORE THAN 5 DOZEN COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE IN THE 1998, 1999, 2000 MIRAGE VEHICLES. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 15, 2005

“VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY SEMI TRAVELING 20 MILES PER HOUR, SEAT BELTS FAILED TO HOLD DRIVER AND PASSENGER IN PLACE, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, DRIVER SUFFERED BACK, CHEST, KNEE AND ANKLE INJURIES, PASSENGER INJURIED SPINITIS TENDON, BUCKET SEATS COLLAPSED BACKWARDS TOUCHING REAR BENCH SEATS. *TT ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · December 6, 2001 · crash

“2001 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE APPX 105,000 MILES. PURCHASED MAY 2007. VEHICLE'S FUSE BOX CAUGHT FIRE AND CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TOTALING THE CAR. NO PRIOR MECHANICAL PROBLEMS BEFORE THE EVENT OCCURRED. AFTER RUNNING ERRANDS I PULLED INTO MY APARTMENT COMPLEX'S PARKING LOT AND THE CAR SUDDENLY DIED. I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 11, 2009 · fire

2001 Mitsubishi Mirage — common questions

Is the 2001 Mitsubishi Mirage reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 51 complaints put the 2001 model at #10 of 29 Mirage years. It is one of the Mirage years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 Mirage problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (8 complaints), speed control (7 complaints), seat belts (6 complaints).

Does the 2001 Mitsubishi Mirage have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 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.