1993 Mitsubishi Mirage: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 73 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is seat belts (70% of complaints); the 1991 and 1992 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 73 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“1993 mitsubishi mirage, NHTSA recall 97v073001 mitsubishi reluctantly performed recall. Motorized shoulder belt still would not work. Was told to manually latch and unlatch shoulder belt to anchor (emergency procedure). Shoulder belt became frayed because of rubbing on a guide while manually using the shoulder belt. Dealer said vehicle is "unsafe". Requested replacement of shoulder belt and offered to pay labor. Mitsubishi refused. Approximate cost of repair is $300- $400. Dealer paperwork and mitsubishi correspondence available upon request.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jan 2006
“Moving seatbelt would stick in corner at back of door would not move completly to back of door. Could open door and close and seat belt would work properly, now seat belt is stuck in the corner of door and there is a gray cable sticking out and belt wont move at all forward or backward”Owner report · Seat Belts · May 2005
“The automatic seat belt cable came of it's track. This resulted in the seat belt failing to retract. Also, the plastic coating over the cable came off. This occurred after the driver's side guide rail recall 97v073001 was performed. The dealership has been contacted. *jb *sc”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jan 2004
Show 7 more owner reports
“The first head gasket was replaced on 3-8-1999 @30,886 miles. The second head gasket was replaced on 1-24-2002 @ 55,691 miles. They would not help cover the cost because it was longer than one year even though there was only 24,000 miles on the head gasket. I have kept all receipts on my vehicle and have kept up with all the required maintenance. There must be some defect involved.*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2002
“The automatic seat belt quit working and the cable came out on the driver side and the automatic seat belt on the passenger side started sticking half way in the track.*ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Oct 2001
“Seatbelt was fixed on recall about two years ago. But, same problem has been happening again. Automatic seat belt, when seat belt went to back, it started making clicking sounds. Belt dropped down out of ceiling. Contacted dealer. Dealer would not fix because it was fixed on recall. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jun 2001
“Driver's side seatbelt is stuck into retractor. Seatbelt is automatic. Other parts are hanging inside of roof of vehicle.*ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Apr 2001
“Covered cable which is a part of guiderail for seat belt is going to cost approximately $500.00 to fix when there is NHTSA recall campaign 97v073001 which deals with same problem. Please provide any additional information/attachments.*ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Apr 2001
“This seatbelt has been recalled in 97, which I had done. Now out of the blue it just stopped working. I called the dealership and also the mitsubishi hotline and they are both saying that because it was already replaced that my case is closed and they won't give me a new one. Other than the seatbelt not working, this 8 year old car runs fine, I don't want to get rid of it just because it will cost more than half the book value of the car to replace this defective part. Can you help me?*ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 2001
“Was having seat belt problem. Took to dealership where mechanic put switch on. Found recall notice #97v073000 in papers. Contacted dealership again. Service manager refused to have belt guide rail replaced. Told recall done. Manufacturer agreed with dealership. Owner indicated recall repairs were partially done.*ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 2001
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
EXCESS LUBRICATION CAN CAUSE THE RUBBER DOOR LATCH SWITCH COVER TO DEFORM, AND THE DOOR LATCH SWITCH TO MALFUNCTION, SO THAT THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHORAGE WOULD REMAIN AT THE A-PILLAR WHEN THE DOOR WAS CLOSED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DOOR LATCH SWITCH.
THE GUIDE RAIL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE CONTAINS A COVERED CABLE AND ALSO AN ANGLED BELT GUIDE AT THE TOP END OF THE WEBBING. THE COMBINATION OF THESE FACTORS CAN LEAD, OVER TIME, TO THE CABLE'S MOVEMENT EXERTING ABRADING FORCE TO THE LOWER EDGES OF THE CABLE'S CHAMBER, SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE THE CABLE TO DROP OUT OF THE CHAMBER WITH THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHORAGE BECOMING STUCK.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REPLACEMENT GUIDE RAIL.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1993 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 1993 Mitsubishi Mirage reliable?
NHTSA has 73 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1993 Mitsubishi Mirage. The most complained-about area is seat belts (70% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1993 Mitsubishi Mirage problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 102,000 miles or less.
Does the 1993 Mitsubishi Mirage have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. 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.