1997 Mitsubishi Mirage: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 74 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (24% of complaints); the 1996 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 74 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2008
“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.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2007
“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”Owner report · Child Seat · Dec 2006
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2004
“Consumer received recall 00-v-311-001 notice from manufacturer. It had been over 2 months, and no parts were available. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2003
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2003
“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”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2003
“While traveling on the highway without prior warning. The pulley belt came off and parts of the engine fell off. The dealership is aware of the problem.”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2002
“After parking vehicle, consumer states' there was burning and smoking coming from the brakes. Cause is unknown. Please describe further. Ts”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Aug 2002
“While driving 45 mph vehicle hit another vehicle head-on. Upon impact, neither airbag deployed. No injuries. Damage to vehicle $ 4500.00. *ak *yh”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2001
When filing, owners marked a crash in 13 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
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.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
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 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage reliable?
NHTSA has 74 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (24% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 97,403 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling:engine. 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.