1997 Mitsubishi Mirage
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 74
- Recalls
- 4
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Engine and engine cooling
Campaigns on file for 1997
None on file
24% of complaints
Complaints per year
1997: 74 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1984 | 0 |
| 1985 | 0 |
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1987 | 3 |
| 1988 | 8 |
| 1989 | 6 |
| 1990 | 34 |
| 1991 | 38 |
| 1992 | 15 |
| 1993 | 73 |
| 1994 | 62 |
| 1995 | 70 |
| 1996 | 28 |
| 1997 | 74 |
| 1998 | 43 |
| 1999 | 57 |
| 2000 | 35 |
| 2001 | 31 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2014 | 44 |
| 2015 | 39 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 15 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2024 | 3 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Engine and engine cooling
24% · 18 reportsMost commonly citing engine and gasoline.
Power train
22% · 16 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-25
Air bags
20% · 15 reportsMost commonly citing frontal and side/window.
Show complaint excerpts
During impact the driver's and passenger's side air bags deployed, causing consumer to sustain burns to the skin. Please describe details.
NHTSA ODI report, 1997-07-10
Service brakes
12% · 9 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Seat belts
9% · 7 reportsMost commonly citing retractor and warning light/devices.
Safety timeline
4 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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1997Complaint volume 74 complaints filed for this model year.
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2000-10-31Engine and engine cooling00V311001 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…
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…
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2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 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…
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.
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2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…
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.
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2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 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…
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.
Buy-smart checklist
1997 Mitsubishi Mirage — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Engine and engine cooling: 18 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 16 reports on file for this year.
- Air bags: 15 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 00V311001 · Engine and engine cooling
- Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage is rated "worse than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage?
- The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage have?
- 4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.