MYRModel Year Report

1997 Mitsubishi Mirage

◆ Worse than typical
1997 Mitsubishi Mirage
RENDERED 2026-09-17T03:40:02.698Z

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Mitsubishi Mirage Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1986: 1 complaints 1986 1987: 3 complaints 1988: 8 complaints 1989: 6 complaints 1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 38 complaints 1992: 15 complaints 1993: 73 complaints 1994: 62 complaints 1994 1995: 70 complaints 1996: 28 complaints 1997: 74 complaints 1997 1998: 43 complaints 1998 1999: 57 complaints 2000: 35 complaints 2001: 31 complaints 2002: 5 complaints 2002 2014: 44 complaints 2015: 39 complaints 2016: 1 complaints 2017: 15 complaints 2017 2018: 10 complaints 2019: 5 complaints 2020: 1 complaints 2021: 1 complaints 2021 2022: 2 complaints 2024: 3 complaints 2024
1997: 74 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19840
19850
19861
19873
19888
19896
199034
199138
199215
199373
199462
199570
199628
199774
199843
199957
200035
200131
20025
201444
201539
20161
201715
201810
20195
20201
20211
20222
20243

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 24%

24% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 18 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

POWER TRAIN 22%

22% of complaints: power train — 16 distinct reports on file, most 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, 20020925

AIR BAGS 20%

20% of complaints: air bags — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH INJURY
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. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19970710

SERVICE BRAKES 12%

12% of complaints: service brakes — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH
SEAT BELTS 9%

9% of complaints: seat belts — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing retractor and warning light/devices.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1997 — complaint volume: 74
R 20001031 — engine and engine cooling

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

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 CRANKSHA

Campaign 00V311001 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

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 S

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.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Mitsubishi Mirage — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (18 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (16 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (15 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 00V311001 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

● 2001 ● 1990 ● 2000

WORST YEARS

◆ 1995 ◆ 1993 ◆ 1994

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 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.