1996 Mitsubishi Mirage: problems, recalls and reliability

1 recall and 28 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags.

Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2006

recalls

owner complaints

fire reports

typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

Among the quietest Mirage years (#14 of 17 by complaints, age-adjusted)1 fire report

Common problems Recalls Other years FAQ

Common problems

Computed from 28 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Limited data: only 28 complaints on record for this model year - too few for percentage statistics. Bars show raw report counts; read them as individual owner reports, not reliability rates. For a fuller picture, check nearby model years.

Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)11 complaints

Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)4 complaints

Service Brakes, Hydraulic (brakes)3 complaints

Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)2 complaints

Latches/Locks/Linkages (door locks, latches, hood release)2 complaints

Suspension (shocks, springs, ride quality)1 complaint

“Consumer's vehicle was involved in a front end collison in which the front driver's side and passenger's side airbags failed to deploy. As a result the driver sustained injuries to neck and back. The dealer and manufacturer have not been contacted. *ak *nlm”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2001

“The srs air bag light has illuminated on the dash console information center and has not gone back off, it has been on for at least 2 weeks. Dealer has been contacted. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 1999

“While the vehicle was sitting still at a stop light it was hit from the rear, and the passenger's and driver's air bags did not deploy. There was one injury. The dealer cannot duplicate the problem. An insurance claim was filed. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 1998

Show 7 more owner reports

“Driving the vehicle and the brakes lock up. This has happened several times, and the dealer changed the master cylinder but the vehicle still has the same problem. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Aug 1997

“When the vehicle is put into gear, the vehicle starts humping, (like a manual trans.) then cuts off just when is on parking lot or on street driven about 25 mph. *ak”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 1997

“While traveling at 30 mph the hood opend and smashed into the windshield. Upon investigation, the owner found the frame that the hood latch is bolted to had cracked at the right bolt and was hanging down. A secondary latch assembly that should have prevented the failure failed itself.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Jun 1997

“The vehicle's seat belts don't lock, and the straps frequently become twisted. The straps also don't retract properly. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jun 1997

“Air bags: was driving approximately 30mph , slowed down to come to a stop. Traffic ahead had stopped and vehicle didn't slow down in time enough to stop. Ran into the back of vehicle ahead, and neither air bag deployed. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 1997

“While driving vehicle, the air bag light would come on & stay; took to dealer 8 different times to be repaired; could not find or fix problem; did replace air bag & faulty control unit but problem still exist.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 1997

“Consumer was involved in a rearend collision traveling about 25 mph, impact 12:00 and the driver's and passenger's side air bags did not deploy, resulting in injuries to the driver. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · May 1997

When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 1 campaign

EXTERIOR LIGHTING06E065000 · Jul 2006

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.

How other years compare

199460 complaints · 1 recalls 199570 complaints · 1 recalls 1996 (this page)28 complaints · 1 recalls 199774 complaints · 4 recalls 199843 complaints · 5 recalls

Check your exact Mirage by VIN

Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.

Open VIN decoder

Frequently asked questions

Is the 1996 Mitsubishi Mirage reliable?

NHTSA has 28 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1996 Mitsubishi Mirage. The most complained-about area is air bags.

Does the 1996 Mitsubishi Mirage have open recalls?

1 recall campaign has 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.