1994 Mitsubishi Mirage

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 60 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags › frontal. It has been recalled 1 time.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags › Frontal22
13014
Air Bags7
517
Power Train › Automatic Transmission3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline3
101
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine3
000
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor2
000
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch2
000
Electrical System › Ignition2
000
Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs1
000
Wheels1
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting06E065000
Filed Jul 17, 20063,593 vehiclesAj Motorsport

Defect. CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Oct 16, 201450,000 milesPR

THE MITSUBISHI MIRAGE 1994 S 4 DOORS 1.5L THE VALVES GUIDES DAMAGE THE INTAKE AND EXHAUST VALVES. *TR

Service BrakesCrashFire1 injured2 killed
Filed Jul 14, 2014NJ

MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING HOME ONE NIGHT FROM A FRIENDS BIRTHDAY. AT APPROX. 1:20AM I WAS DRIVING NORTH IN NEWARK POMPTON TURNPIKE LOCATED IN WAYNE, NJ 07470. MY HUSBAND LIFTED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE (THE REASON IS UNKNOWN) AND THE CAR INSTANTLY STARTED SPINNING ON A STRAIGHT ROAD. WITHIN SECOND THE BRAKES RELEASED AND SENT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AIRBORNE HEAD ON INTO A UTILITY POLE RESULTING IN THE INSTANT DEATH OF MY HUSBAND BECAUSE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY HUSBANDS CAUSE OF DEATH WAS MULTIPLE FORCE BLUNT TRAUMA TO UPPER TORSO I MYSELF WAS 17 WEEKS PREGNANT THIS ACCIDENT ALSO LED TO THE RESULT OF DEATH TO MY UNBORN CHILD. I ALSO WAS PINNED UNDER THE DASHBOARD AND RECEIVED MULTIPLE BILATERAL FRACTURES AND INTERNAL INJURIES. I WAS INDUCED TO A COMA FOR 1 MONTHS BEFORE I WORK UP NOW I DEAL WITH MANY LEG PROBLEMS AND TITANIUM RODS, SCREWS, AND PINS IN BOTH LEGS FOR REST OF MY LIFE. *TR

Air BagsCrashFire2 injured1 killed
Filed Apr 2, 2014NJ

DRIVER LOST CONTROL AFTER THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENABLED, CAR FREEWHEELED AND CRASHED HEAD ON INTO UTILITY POLE. DRIVE CRUSHED UP DASHBOARD WITH SEVERE LIFE THREATENING INJURIES IN CRITICAL CONDITION. PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND SEATBELT DID NOT RETRACT IN RESULT MY HUSBAND WAS KILLED IMMEDIATELY. *TR

Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Filed Aug 5, 200793,016 milesCA

20 AMP FUSE BLOWS WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AND CUTS OFF ENGINE CAUSING THE CAR TO DIE ON THE ROAD EVERY TIME. THIS HAPPENED FOUR (4) TIMES IN THE PAST THREE (3) MONTHS AND HAS BEEN REPORTED TO NHTSA TWICE ALREADY - SEE LIST OF COMPLAINTS FOR MITUSBISHI MIRAGE 1994, ALSO SEE VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRE (VOQ) FORM ATTACHED TO EACH OF THE PREVIOUS REPORTS POSTED ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. THE FIRST SIX (6) INCIDENT REPORTS ON THE SAME 20 AMP FUSE PROBLEM HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO NHTSA - SEE COMPLAINT PAGE. THE FIRST REPORTED INCIDENT WITH THE FUSE OCCURRED ON 04/28/97 WHICH WAS WITHIN THE EMISSIONS WARRANTY TERM, BUT MITSUBISHI IGNORED IT. OTHER FUSE BLOWING INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED SINCE THE FIRST SIX INCIDENTS WERE REPORTED TO NHTSA. THE LATEST FUSE BLOWING INCIDENT WAS ON 08/03/2007 ON THE 101 FWY NEAR CAMARILLO, CA. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY WITH WESTLAKE MOTORS, THOUSAND OAKS, CA FOR THE NEVER-ENDING FUSE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM SINCE 1997. ALL THEY DO IS CHANGE THE FUSE AND SAY IT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN AND IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN PRESENTING MORTAL DANGER TO DRIVER AND CAR OCCUPANTS AS WELL AS TO OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. OTHER REPORTS ON THE SAME FUSE PROBLEMS WITH MITSUBISHI WERE FOUND GOOGLING THE INTERNET. THIS IS A MAJOR DEFECT THAT HAS BEEN COVERED UP BY THE MANUFACTURERS AND ITS AGENTS FOR A VERY LONG TIME. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND MAKE MITSUBISHI FIX THIS PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN REFUSING TO CHANGE COMPONE

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jun 27, 2004120,600 milesNY

(1)THE IGNITION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED (2)A SPRING FROM THE SWITCH FROZE THE STEERING SO THAT ONLY 5 DEGREE OF STEERING IN EITHER DIRECTION WAS POSSIBLE ALMOST LEADING TO A CRASH (3)THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS TO BE REPLACED AND A NEW TUMBLER IS NEEDED. *JB

Air Bags › Frontal2 injured
Filed Nov 30, 2003134,765 milesWA

MY BOYFRIEND AND I WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, WHEN I HAD TO COME TO A QUICK STOP. I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES AND MY AIRBAG ENABLED, WHEN I WAS ABLE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED I WAS 5FT AWAY FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I SUFFERED A BURN AND BRUISES UNDER MY CHIN ALONG WITH BRUISES ON MY ARM AND SORENESS ON MY CHEST. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING AND THERE WAS NO IMPACT! I HAVE STOPPED WORSE THEN THAT BEFORE. IS THIS CONSIDERED A MANUFACTER DEFECT? *AK

Suspension › Rear
Filed May 19, 2003SC

WHEN THE CONSUMER BACKED OUT OF A DRIVEWAY THE REAR SWAY BAR BROKE. A MECHANIC LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND SUGGESTED THAT THE CONSUMER NOT DRIVE IT. *NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 5, 2002CA

HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING AT 20,000 MILES. CONSUMER HAD GASKET REPLACED, AND IT IS LEAKING AGAIN AT 47000 MILES. VEHICLE IS CONSTANTLY LOSING OIL. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ORIGINAL HEAD GASKET FAILED AT 40000 MILES, NOW THE REPLACEMENT IS FAILING AT 65000 MILES. *SLC

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 21, 2002ND

WHEN APPLYING ACCELERATOR VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AND THEN JUMP FORWARD OUT OF GEAR. CURRENTLY TRANSMISSION IS INOPERATIVE. VEHICLE WILL ONLY GO INTO REVERSE GEAR. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Feb 21, 2002TX

WHEN AT A STOP VEHICLE WILL STALL, AND CUT OFF. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 21, 2002ND

TRANSMISSION WAS GOING OUT AND JOLTING FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND GOT WORSE AND WORSE THEN NOW ONLY GOES IN REVERSE. *AK (TIRESIZE: 14)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Sep 17, 2001GA

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, NO BRAKING ACTION. DEALER REPLACED FRONT BRAKE LINE ON PASSENGER'S SIDE. TODAY, WHILE DRIVING 40MPH CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, NO BRAKING ACTION. DEALER REPLACED FRONT BRAKE LINE ON DRIVER SIDE. *AK

Air Bags1 injured
Filed Sep 1, 2001CA

WHILE DRIVING DOWN HWY AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR UNKNOWN REASON.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jun 1, 2001PA

ONCE THE CAR IF TURNED OFF AND I TRY TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION IT WON'T COME OUT. SEVERAL TIMES I HAD TO LEAVE MY KEY IN THE IGNITION OVER NIGHT BECAUSE I COULDN'T GET IT OUT. SEVERAL TIMES I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET SOMEONE TO HELP ME (FINANCEE & MY FATHER) BUT IT IS REALLY GETTING TO BE A BIG HEADACHE. IATANCE FROM I CALLED A MITSUBISHI DEALER ABOUT THE PROBLEM.*AK

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Apr 4, 2001NV

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, NO BUMP/POT HOLE, ETC. DEALER NOTIFIED AND CONTACTED MANUFACTURER WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THEY WERE WILLING TO PAY HALF ON REPAIRS. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Feb 16, 2001GA

LIGHTS TEND TO GO OUT AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT STOPED SEVERAL TIMES BY LOCAL PD. *AK

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Jan 23, 2001SC

WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AND WITHOUT A COLLISION OCCURRING DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 20, 2001CA

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Sep 4, 2000CA

ENGINE DIED SUDDENLY W/OUT WARNING ON 04/28/97 (WITHIN EMISSIONS WARRANTY PERIOD), 05/07/98, 04/09/99, 04/19/99, 06/01/99 AND 07/15/99. THREE MITSUBISHI DEALERS HANDLED CAR, MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED EACH TIME, A WRITTEN DEMAND WAS MADE ON 06/29/00 BY CAR OWNERS TO MANUFACTURER TO FIX PROBLEM OR BUY THE CAR BACK UNDER CALIFORNIA LEMON LAWS. MANUFACTURER AND ITS DEALERS REFUSE TO FIX PROBLEM OR BUY BACK THE CAR. CAR IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AS ENGINE CAN DIE AT ANY TIME ON THE ROAD AND THUS CAN BE A ROAD HAZARD TO OTHER VEHICLES. EACH TIME THE ENGINE DIED, EACH DEALER REPLACED A 20 AMP EFI FUSE WHICH HAD BLOWN AND SAID THAT CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE - EACH TIME AFTER THAT THE CAR ENGINE DIED SUDDENLY. THE FUSE HAS BEEN CHANGED BY MITSU DEALERS 6 TIMES SO FAR. THERE MUST BE OTHER CARS LIKE THIS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. MANUFACTURER MUST BUY BACK THE CAR - VERY DANGEROUS - DEALERS DO NOT WANT TO FULLY DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR AS IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO TEST ALL CIRCUITS AND REPLACE ECU/EL. HARNES/SENSORS,ETC. - THAT'S WHY MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO HONOR ITS EMISSIONS WARRANTY (FIRST INCIDENCE WAS COVERED UNDER THE EMISSIONS WARRANTY). WESTLAKE MOTORS HAS ALSO ENGAGED IN MISREPRESENTING THE PROBLEM ON SERVICE REPORTS AND WAS NOTIFIED BY THEIR SERVICE MANAGER THAT THIS CAR CAN NO LONGER BE BROUGHT TO THEIR DEALERSHIP. NO ONE WANTS TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM AND WE ARE STUCK WITH A LEMON CAR THAT CAN BE A SIGNIFICANT HAZARD TO DRIVER/PASSENGERS AND OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD. PL

Air Bags › Frontal1 injured
Filed Aug 28, 2000WA

EA 99 007/INDAVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT: WHILE TRAVELING ON A GRAVEL ROAD OF 20 MPH; DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED/ REASON UNKNOWN? DRIVER RECEIVED CUTS AND BRUISES ON LEFT ARM. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

20 of 60 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1997
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20243000Routine
20222000Routine
20211000Routine
20201000Routine
20195000Routine
201810100Routine
201715200Routine
20161100Routine
201539200Routine
201444312Fatalities reported
20025400Routine
200131510Routine
200035510Routine
199957600Routine
199843520Routine
199774410Routine
199628110Routine
199570110Routine
1994 — this page60123Fatalities reported
199373300Routine
199215100Routine
199138120Routine
199033120Routine

Compare every Mirage year →

Reading this record

3 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jul 17, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.