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: 1 of 33 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.
Seat Belts. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 4 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 reports2 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
33 reports
20,000 miles · Nov 18, 2013
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED SPORADICALLY AT INITIAL START-UP OR WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED SPORADICALLY AT INITIAL START-UP OR WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000. ## VIN PASSED ## MITSUBISHI MIRAGE 1990 ##
NHTSA ODI #10552763
Mileage unknown · May 2, 2003
Electrical System
ECU FAILURE, THEN MPI CONTROL RELAY, THEN DISTRIBUTOR CAP, COIL & ROTOR, THEN NEW DISTRIBUTOR. *NL
NHTSA ODI #10016887
Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2002
Structure
THE ONLY DOOR THAT WILL OPEN NORMALLY IS THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WILL ONLY OPEN FROM INSIDE, AND BOTH PASSENGER REAR DOORS WON'T OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS VERY UNSAFE IF YOU NEED TO EXIT QUICKLY IN AN EMERGENCY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFOMATION. TS
NHTSA ODI #8022915
Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2001
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL GEAR WAS ON DRIVE, THEN JUMPED INTO REVERSE, MAKING VEHICLE ROLL BACKWARD, HAPPENED TWICE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #882916
Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
ENGINE FIRE DUE TO POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *MJS
NHTSA ODI #553101
Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
CAR ALSO CUTS OFF IF THE AIR IS ON
NHTSA ODI #709810
Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
THERE IS A STRUCTURAL DEFECT WITHIN THE SECOND ENGINE CYLINDER--LOST COMPRESSION LEADING TO FAILURE 3 TIMES, 3RD TIME CYLINDER CRACKED. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #830443
Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHEN DRIVING AT VARIES SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL/DIE OUT FOR NO REASON. WOULD RESTART VEHICLE & IT WOULD STALL AGAIN. TOOK TO DEALER. MECHANIC GAVE IT A TUNE UP. THE STALLING STILL EXISTS AFTER TUNE UP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #818915
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 1997
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
EXPERIENCED UNPREDICTABLE COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.
NHTSA ODI #523759
Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 1997
Seat Belts
BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELTS ARE INOPERATIVE DUE TO THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT NOT RETRACTING. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK
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
3
EA96015 · Automatic Shoulder Belt Failure
Opened Jun 28, 1996 · Closed Jun 12, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT ALLEGEDLY MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILS
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seat Belts
THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT ALLEGEDLY MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILS
Seat Belts
THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT ALLEGEDLY MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILS
PE96006 · Auto Shoulder Belt Failure
Opened Jan 19, 1996 · Closed Jun 28, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
EA95004 · 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
1990 Mitsubishi Mirage Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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