1990 Mitsubishi Mirage: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 33 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is seat belts (59% of complaints); the 1992 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 1995
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 ##”Owner report · Engine · May 2008
“Electronic control module (ecm) replaced due to vehicle stalling. Consumer also complains of not having a warning indicator to notify driver of failure.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 1997
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 1997
Show 7 more owner reports
“The automatic passenger's restraint belt never releases itself from the lock mode, when consumer gets into vehicle and starts the ignition the belt does not adjust. Instead, the belt is sqeezing occupant across chest area so tight that it's hurts. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Feb 1997
“The front passenger side automatic seat belt retractor when turn on car the seat belt will not retract to the person in the seat. Tt”Owner report · Seat Belts · May 1995
“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”Owner report · Structure
“Both front passive restraints activate incompletely intermittently stopping. Belt may resume securing while driving catching driver off guard. Please describe.”Owner report · Seat Belts
“Both driver's/passenger's passive restraints tightened while already engaged, more frequent w/drivers side. Please describe details. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling
“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”Owner report · Seat Belts
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1990 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Mirage by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1990 Mitsubishi Mirage reliable?
NHTSA has 33 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1990 Mitsubishi Mirage. The most complained-about area is seat belts (59% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1990 Mitsubishi Mirage problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 20,000 miles or less.
Does the 1990 Mitsubishi Mirage have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:front:buckle assembly. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.