VehicleVerdict

2002 Mitsubishi Mirage problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 5 complaints on file for the 2002 Mitsubishi Mirage — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

5

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Mirage years?

Mirage NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 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, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Mirage years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Mitsubishi Mirage problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags120%
Brakes120%
Engine120%
Body & Structure120%
Transmission120%

Does the 2002 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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“VEHICLE INVOLVED IN SEVERE CRASH WITH HEAVY FRONT END DAMAGE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY RESULTING IN FACIAL INJURIES AND CRACKED RIBS TO THE DRIVER. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 10, 2003 · crash

“THE CLUTCH DISC ON A 2002 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAS EATEN UP DOWN TO THE BARE METAL, STARTING TO EAT AWAY AT THE FLYWHEEL AND CHIP THE DRIVESHAFT BECAUSE I WAS NOT INFORMED IN ANY WAY THAT THE CLUTCH DISC WAS A WEAR ITEM AND WAS DISAPPOINTED WHEN I FOUND OUT. THE CLUTCH DISC WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 26, 2005

“CONSUMER STATES WHILE APPYING BRAKE AT 25-30 MPH THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND CAUSES A REAR END COLLISION AND TOTAL THE VEHICLE, DEALER NOTIFIED. NLM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 19, 2002 · crash

“4 YEARS OLD, 24K MILES, NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT. THE DOOR LIGHT CAME ON. DRIVER SIDE DOOR MISALIGNED. THERE WAS HALF AN INCH SPACE BETWEEN THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR AND THE BODY FRAME. IT GOT MORE DIFFICULT TO OPEN EVERY DAY. THREE WEEKS LATER, THE DOOR COULDN'T OPEN AT ALL. DEALER LUBRICATED AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 21, 2006

“THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT HAS CAME ON FOR THE FOURTH TIME ON 5.7.04 AFTER IT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN FIXED AFTER THE THIRD TIME IT WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR ON 4.26.04. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 7, 2004

2002 Mitsubishi Mirage — common questions

Is the 2002 Mitsubishi Mirage reliable?

The record is thin — 5 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2002 Mitsubishi Mirage have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 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.