1999 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 PER YEAR
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 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2024 | 3 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
32% of complaints: service brakes — 18 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.
CRASH INJURY23% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 13 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.
CRASH18% of complaints: structure — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hinge and attachments and hood.
CRASH16% of complaints: air bags — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
WHILE DRIVING AT A 30 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. CONSUMER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES.
NHTSA ODI report, 20040802
FAULTY BRAKES-IN DEC,2002, HAD TO HIT BRAKES WHEN VEHICLE PULLED IN FRONT OF ME. I IMMEDIATELY LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE-NO STEERING- AND CAR SPUN SEVERAL TIMES. APPEARED BRAKES LOCKED UP EVEN THOUGH I HAVE ABS SYSTEM. *JB 2/2003-SAME THING.
NHTSA ODI report, 20030228
Also filed under SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WAS DRIVING APPROX. 35-40MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN THE RED LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS BROADSIDED BY THE MIRAGE. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER WAS SLIGHTLY INJURED. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19990729
9% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing linkages.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
UNINTENTIONAL EXCELLERATION WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT VERY LOW SPEED
NHTSA ODI report, 20000927
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BOLT SECURING THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY CAN BECOME LOOSE AND THE PULLEY COULD FALL OFF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES TO INSURE THAT THE BOLT IS TIGHTENED. FOR THOSE BOLTS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED, THE BOLT AND PULLEY WILL BE REMOVED AND INSPECTED FOR ANY INDICATION OF DAMAGE. COMPON
Campaign 01V340001 — 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
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO.
Remedy: MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL.
Campaign 04V428000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1999 Mitsubishi Mirage — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (18 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (13 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for structure issues (10 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 04V428000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00V311001 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 01V340001 (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 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage have?
6 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.