1998 Mitsubishi Mirage: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 43 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (17% of complaints).
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 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Driving on highway and defective tire blew out - not sure of cause (tread separation, sidewall cracks, etc.) incident tossed passengers violently about the car - car slight airborne damaged wires under hood of car; car totaled”Owner report · Tires · Apr 2017
“My mirage has less than 72,000 miles on it. Without symptoms or warning, the car overheated and destroyed two head gaskets and possibly broke the plate. That's catasrophic damage! It's been well maintained and hardly driven. At less than 72,000 miles it will cost more to repair than it's worth. There was no indication whatsoever! It just died on the freeway, going 70 miles an hour. The radiator worked perfectly! Of course mitsubishi just tried tov sell me a new one. They could not have cared less.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2016
“Passenger side door hinge problem. Door was increasingly difficult to open or close for one month, the door wouldn't close enough to turn off the door ajar indicator. After taking it to a body shop, they determined that the hinge was the problem. *jb”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2005
Show 7 more owner reports
“I have a 98 mistsubishi mirage I been trying to pass expection sinse april 15th my car failed 17 times I contacted bay ridge mistsubishi 813-64th street brooklyn new york 718-238-4144 they had my car for 2 weeks now first they said I dont drive the car enough then maybe the computer is broken I had the car tuned up I take great car of my car it still fails expection what should I do I have no car”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2005
“While driving 55 - 60 mph rear window shattered after turning on the defogger. Metallic stripping on the window was red before the window shattered. Dealer was notified.*ak”Owner report · Visibility · Nov 2004
“The vehicle's brakes failed. When the brake pedal was pressed there was a delay before the brakes engaged. This condition caused extended stopping distance. *nm as a result of the brake failure the driver hit a pillar. The driver and two passenger's were injured. *nm”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jan 2004
“Passenger's side door flies open when driving after it has been securly locked. Contacted dealer.this is a common problem.*ak”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Jul 2002
“Both front tires started to shake, had the tires balanced, rotated, etc. Mechanic put them on back. They shake like unreal. When I purchased the car, it did not do this (bought used). It seemed to happen out of the blue. Dt”Owner report · Wheels · Jun 2002
“Consumer noticed fuel leaking. Dealer stated that fuel tank had rusted, and needed to be replaced.*akthe gas tank and the entire fuel line is covered under warranty, but upon inspection since the fuel tank had rusted, mitsubishi decided the fuel tank would not be repaired under warranty. *jg”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Apr 2002
“Consumer was self inspectng tires, and noticed that treat on two front tires and rear tire was separating. General tire, dot acp2n71200xp2000. *ak”Owner report · Tires · Oct 2001
When filing, owners marked a crash in 12 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A POORLY MANUFACTURED VACUUM CHECK VALVE IN THE VACUUM HOSE BETWEEN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THE BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THE VACUUM BOOSTER CHECK VALVE CAN STICK TO THE VALVE BODY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE VACUUM HOSE.
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 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage reliable?
NHTSA has 43 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage. The most complained-about area is air bags (17% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 71,250 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage have open recalls?
5 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.