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: 6 of 74 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 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
13 crash reports1 fire reports9 injury reports
What owners actually said
74 reports
30,831 miles · Nov 25, 2009
EquipmentVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE. THE CLIPS THAT SECURES THE FLOOR-MATS TO THE FLOORBOARD HAS FRACTURED. THIS CONDITION CAUSES THE FLOOR-MAT TO SHIFT UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS NOT A REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE. THE CLIPS THAT SECURES THE FLOOR-MATS TO THE FLOORBOARD HAS FRACTURED. THIS CONDITION CAUSES THE FLOOR-MAT TO SHIFT UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS NOT A REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,831 THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 01/20/10 *BF UPDATED 01/22/10.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10293522
94,806 miles · Feb 24, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
I SAW THE RECALL ID 00V311001 BUT I HAVE ALREADY PAID FOR THE FIX OF MY CAR BECAUSE I DIDN'T SAW THE RECALL WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THE MONEY I PAID TO A MECHANIC I SPED $700.00 DOLLARS ON THE REPAIRS I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME THANKS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10219020
Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, AN UNKNOWN INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT IT WOULD COST $2,200 TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW WHAT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED. THE # OF CYLINDERS…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, AN UNKNOWN INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT IT WOULD COST $2,200 TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW WHAT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED. THE # OF CYLINDERS, PURCHASE DATE, AND MILEAGE INFORMATION WERE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10192677
180,000 miles · Jan 5, 2007
Child Seat
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN MAKING A TURN ITHE SAFETY SEAT WILL FLIP OVER. SHE HAS TO HOLD THE SAFETY SEAT WHILE TURNING THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO REACH THE SEAT. WHILE DRIVING THE CONTACT MUST POSITION THE SEAT AS FAR BACK AS POSSIBLE SO THAT SHE MAY PREVENT THE SEAT FROM FLIPPING OVER. SINCE THE CHILD WEAS ONLY 1 MONT…
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TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN MAKING A TURN ITHE SAFETY SEAT WILL FLIP OVER. SHE HAS TO HOLD THE SAFETY SEAT WHILE TURNING THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO REACH THE SEAT. WHILE DRIVING THE CONTACT MUST POSITION THE SEAT AS FAR BACK AS POSSIBLE SO THAT SHE MAY PREVENT THE SEAT FROM FLIPPING OVER. SINCE THE CHILD WEAS ONLY 1 MONTH OLD THE CHILD COULD NOT BE PLACED IN THE FRONT SEAT. EDDIE BAUER COMFORT #22630LKM. NEEDED TO REGISTER CAR SEAT-702-807-9025. UPDATED *JB
NHTSA ODI #10177936
60,500 miles · Mar 28, 2005
Suspension
LEFT FRONT CONTROL ARM RUSTED THROUGH ON THE CONSUMER'S 1997 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE.*MR *NM
NHTSA ODI #10117312
Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2004
Tires
DUNLOP SP 20 TIRES SIZE 185/65-14. ONE TIRE SEPERATED AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. IN ADDITION OTHER 3 TIRES ON VEHICLE WERE WELL ON WAY TO SEPERATION. HAD TO PURCHASE 4 TIRES. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10078399
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 00-V-311-001 NOTICE FROM MANUFACTURER. IT HAD BEEN OVER 2 MONTHS, AND NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10043980
Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
RECALL 00-V-311-001: MIRAGE MODEL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.5L ENGINES; THE BOLT SECURING THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY CAN BECOME LOOSE AND THE PULLEY COULD FALL OFF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER WON'T HONOR THE RECALL.*AK THE BOLT HOLDING CRANSHAFT PULLEY BECAME LOOSE AGAIN. *TS *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10034405
Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2003
Air BagsInjury
VEHICLE HIT A DRAIN IN THE YARD AT 5 MPH AND BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER CAN'T FIND REASON FOR PROBLEM. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK MECHANIC WROTE THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OR REAR OF THE VEHICLE TO MAKE THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY. *PH *JB
NHTSA ODI #827411
125,000 miles · Jun 12, 2003
Seat Belts
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT IS INOPERATIVE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
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 & remedy
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.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1997 Mitsubishi Mirage Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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