IllustrationTHE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *NLM *NLM
1988 Mitsubishi Mirage
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Mirage years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 8 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports4 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
8 reportsCONSUMER STATED THAT ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *YH
HOOD LATCH IS IS A ROUND PROTRUSTION THAT FITS INTO HOLE ON BODY OF CAR. ROUND PROTRUSION IS HELD IN PLACE BY SMALL FLAT SIDED PIECE OF METAL THAT SLIDES BACK AND FORTH INSTEAD OF BY POSITIVE CLAMPING ACTION. WHEN THE SPRING OR WHATEVER KEEPS THE SLIDING PIECE AGAINST THE PROTRUSION IS BROKEN OR WEAKENED, THE HOOD FLIES UP OBS…
Read full complaint
HOOD LATCH IS IS A ROUND PROTRUSTION THAT FITS INTO HOLE ON BODY OF CAR. ROUND PROTRUSION IS HELD IN PLACE BY SMALL FLAT SIDED PIECE OF METAL THAT SLIDES BACK AND FORTH INSTEAD OF BY POSITIVE CLAMPING ACTION. WHEN THE SPRING OR WHATEVER KEEPS THE SLIDING PIECE AGAINST THE PROTRUSION IS BROKEN OR WEAKENED, THE HOOD FLIES UP OBSCURING THE DRIVER'S VISION. THIS IS SCARY AT NIGHT ON A WINDY ROAD.*AK
POSSIBLE SECONDARY AIR SUPPLY REED VALVES FAILURE ,PER RECALL NOTICE, RESULTED IN VEHICLE FIRE, NOTICE NOT RECIEVED.
ENGINE FIRE. *DH
BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT REAR SEATBELT BUCKLES DO NOT LOCK IN PLACE. *AK
CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAME LOOSE DRIVER WENT FORWARD CAR WAS TOTALED . TT
EXPERIENCES INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF BOTH REAR LAP BELTS, WHEN SEATBELT BUCKLES BECOME STUCK IN LOCKED POSITION. TT
Official recalls
195V103004 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
May 24, 1995
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3EA95004 · Takata Seat Belt Buckle Failure
Opened Mar 10, 1995 · Closed Aug 1, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
There is no summary currently available
EA93017 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Jun 23, 1993 · Closed Nov 30, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE88003 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Oct 13, 1987 · Closed Jan 21, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
NO SAFETY DEFECT TREND HAS BEEN DETECTED.===