1998 Mitsubishi Mirage
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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 PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1984 | 0 |
| 1985 | 0 |
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1987 | 3 |
| 1988 | 8 |
| 1989 | 6 |
| 1990 | 33 |
| 1991 | 38 |
| 1992 | 15 |
| 1993 | 73 |
| 1994 | 60 |
| 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 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2024 | 3 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
21% of complaints: air bags — 9 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A STOP SIGN, HITTING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HEAD-ON, AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19990409
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKES WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD, AND VEHICLE DIDN'T STOP. VEHICLE SKIDED ABOUT 60 FEET AND COLLIDED WITH VEHICLE IN FRONT.
NHTSA ODI report, 19990401
14% of complaints: power train — 6 distinct reports on file.
CRASH7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 3 distinct reports on file.
5% of complaints: structure — 2 distinct reports on file.
5% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 2 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE VACUUM HOSE.
Campaign 97V179000 — check if this car was fixed
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
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
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
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
1998 Mitsubishi Mirage — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (9 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (6 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (3 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 97V179000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- 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.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage?
The most-reported component is air bags:frontal, accounting for 21% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.