NHTSA vehicle safety data

1998 Mitsubishi Mirage Recalls & Complaints

The 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 43 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mitsubishi dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1998 Mitsubishi Mirage owner complaints

Owners have filed 43 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage, describing incidents dated April 13, 1998 to April 11, 2017.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 9 complaints
Service Brakes 8 complaints
Engine 6 complaints
Power Train 5 complaints
Latches/Locks/Linkages 3 complaints
Structure 3 complaints

Of the 43 complaints on file, 12 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 43 complaints, owners report 11 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11091060 · Filed April 30, 2018
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND DEFECTIVE TIRE BLEW OUT - NOT SURE OF CAUSE (TREAD SEPARATION, SIDEWALL CRACKS, ETC.) INCIDENT TOSSED PASSENGERS VIOLENTLY ABOUT THE CAR - CAR SLIGHT AIRBORNE DAMAGED WIRES UNDER HOOD OF CAR; CAR TOTALED
ODI #10887660 · Filed July 22, 2016
MY MIRAGE HAS LESS THAN 72,000 MILES ON IT. WITHOUT SYMPTOMS OR WARNING, THE CAR OVERHEATED AND DESTROYED TWO HEAD GASKETS AND POSSIBLY BROKE THE PLATE. THAT'S CATASROPHIC DAMAGE! IT'S BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND HARDLY DRIVEN. AT LESS THAN 72,000 MILES IT WILL COST MORE TO REPAIR THAN IT'S WORTH…
ODI #10143922 · Filed November 29, 2005
PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HINGE PROBLEM. DOOR WAS INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO OPEN OR CLOSE FOR ONE MONTH, THE DOOR WOULDN'T CLOSE ENOUGH TO TURN OFF THE DOOR AJAR INDICATOR. AFTER TAKING IT TO A BODY SHOP, THEY DETERMINED THAT THE HINGE WAS THE PROBLEM. *JB

Read all 43 complaints

FMVSS 108/REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS/AMBER REFLECTOR

NHTSA #09E025000 · Exterior Lighting — Headlights · NHTSA notice

Reported May 11, 2009 · DOPE, INC.

Potentially affected: 42,540 vehicles

Owners notified July 28, 2009

Defect description

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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Safety consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER.IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF YOUR AFTERMARKET LAMP ASSEMBLY IS AFFECTED BY THIS NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE REVIEW THE LIST OF MODEL NUMBERS PROVIDED TO US BY DOPE, INC.THE LIST CAN BE FOUND UNDER "DOCUMENT SEARCH" LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS

NHTSA #09E012000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported April 7, 2009 · SABERSPORT

Potentially affected: 16,270 vehicles

Owners notified May 11, 2009

Defect description

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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Safety consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER.IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF YOUR AFTERMARKET LAMP ASSEMBLY IS AFFECTED BY THIS NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE REVIEW THE LIST OF MODEL NUMBERS PROVIDED TO US BY SABERSPORT.THE LIST CAN BE FOUND UNDER "DOCUMENT SEARCH" LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS

NHTSA #06E026000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported March 23, 2006 · PRO-A MOTORS, INC.

Potentially affected: 61,944 vehicles

Owners notified April 3, 2006

Defect description

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 SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Safety consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO PRO-A MOTORS AFTERMARKET LAMPS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LAMP MODEL NUMBERS, CLICK ON DOCUMENT SEARCH AND VIEW DOCUMENT TITLED "LAMP MODEL NUMBERS."CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

MITSUBISHI AMERICA/CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT

NHTSA #00V311001 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine · NHTSA notice

Reported October 2, 2000 · MITSUBISHI AMERICA

Potentially affected: 210,000 vehicles

Owners notified October 31, 2000 · Vehicles built March 1, 1996 – February 28, 1999 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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 SECURING THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY CAN BECOME LOOSE AND THE PULLEY COULD FALL OFF THE VEHICLE.

Safety consequence

THE CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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 CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT TO THE CORRECT TORQUE SPECIFICATION. ON THE MONTERO MODELS, DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT TO THE CORRECT TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS. IF THE BOLT IS DAMAGED, IT WILL BE REPLACED.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE PERFORMED IN FIVE SEPARATE OWNER MAILINGS, WITH THE FIRST MAILING BEGINNING OCTOBER 31, 2000.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

MITSUBISHI/VACUUM CHECK VALVE

NHTSA #97V179000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Power Assist — Vacuum — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported October 14, 1997 · MITSUBISHI AMERICA

Potentially affected: 31 vehicles

Owners notified November 12, 1997 · Vehicles built June 18, 1997 – August 28, 1997 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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 PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THE VACUUM BOOSTER CHECK VALVE CAN STICK TO THE VALVE BODY.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN REDUCTION OR LOSS OF VACUUM BOOST, REDUCING BRAKE EFFICIENCY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE VACUUM HOSE.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN NOVEMBER 12, 1997.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

43 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage.

Tires

ODI #11091060

2 injuries

Incident: April 11, 2017 · Filed: April 30, 2018

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND DEFECTIVE TIRE BLEW OUT - NOT SURE OF CAUSE (TREAD SEPARATION, SIDEWALL CRACKS, ETC.) INCIDENT TOSSED PASSENGERS VIOLENTLY ABOUT THE CAR - CAR SLIGHT AIRBORNE DAMAGED WIRES UNDER HOOD OF CAR; CAR TOTALED

Engine

ODI #10887660

Incident: July 18, 2016 · Filed: July 22, 2016

MY MIRAGE HAS LESS THAN 72,000 MILES ON IT. WITHOUT SYMPTOMS OR WARNING, THE CAR OVERHEATED AND DESTROYED TWO HEAD GASKETS AND POSSIBLY BROKE THE PLATE. THAT'S CATASROPHIC DAMAGE! IT'S BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND HARDLY DRIVEN. AT LESS THAN 72,000 MILES IT WILL COST MORE TO REPAIR THAN IT'S WORTH. THERE WAS NO INDICATION WHATSOEVER! IT JUST DIED ON THE FREEWAY, GOING 70 MILES AN HOUR. THE RADIATOR WORKED PERFECTLY! OF COURSE MITSUBISHI JUST TRIED TOV SELL ME A NEW ONE. THEY COULD NOT HAVE CARED LESS.

Structure

ODI #10143922

Incident: November 1, 2005 · Filed: November 29, 2005

PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HINGE PROBLEM. DOOR WAS INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO OPEN OR CLOSE FOR ONE MONTH, THE DOOR WOULDN'T CLOSE ENOUGH TO TURN OFF THE DOOR AJAR INDICATOR. AFTER TAKING IT TO A BODY SHOP, THEY DETERMINED THAT THE HINGE WAS THE PROBLEM. *JB

Unknown or Other

ODI #10127841

Incident: April 15, 2005 · Filed: July 7, 2005

I HAVE A 98 MISTSUBISHI MIRAGE I BEEN TRYING TO PASS EXPECTION SINSE APRIL 15TH MY CAR FAILED 17 TIMES I CONTACTED BAY RIDGE MISTSUBISHI 813-64TH STREET BROOKLYN NEW YORK 718-238-4144 THEY HAD MY CAR FOR 2 WEEKS NOW FIRST THEY SAID I DONT DRIVE THE CAR ENOUGH THEN MAYBE THE COMPUTER IS BROKEN I HAD THE CAR TUNED UP I TAKE GREAT CAR OF MY CAR IT STILL FAILS EXPECTION WHAT SHOULD I DO I HAVE NO CAR

Latches/Locks/Linkages

ODI #10124985

1 injury

Incident: June 5, 2005 · Filed: June 11, 2005

I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK ON THE JUNE 5 AROUND 6:25 IN THE MORNING DRIVING ABOUT 65 MHP WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE HOOD OF MY CAR (MITSUBISHI MIRAGE 98') FLEW UP INTO THE WINDSHIELD COMPLETLY SMASHING IT AND BLOCKING MY VIEW.AS GLASS WAS SHATTERING INTO MY FACE I MANAGE TO PULL OFF FROM THE CROWDED FREEWAY AND CALL 911 AND THEY ADVISED ME TO STAY IN THE CAR AND WAIT FOR THE POLICE TO ARRIVE, ONLY WHEN THE POLICE ARRIVED AND MY FEAR SUBSIDED WAS THAT I REALIZED HOW MUCH IT HAD DAMAGED MY CAR AND HOW LUCKY I WAS TO WALK AWAY FROM THIS EVENT. THE POLICE OFFICER ON THE SCENE STARTED TO DO A REPORT ON THE ACCIDENT AND TOLD ME THE HOOD LATCH APPEARED TO HAVE BROKEN FROM THE CROSSMEMBER THAT IT WAS ATTACHED TO, THEN WE PROCCIDED TO GET MY CAR TOWED AWAY AND FILE A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE. LOOKING BACK ON TH EVENTS ON THAT MORNING IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT COULD HAVE TURNED TRAGIC AND WANT TO MAKE OTHER OWNERS AWARE THAT THIS VERY WELL COULD HAPPEN TO THEM TOO, I ALSO WANT MITSUBISHI TO LOOK INTO THIS THAT BASED ON WHAT I THINK IS A MANUFACTURES FAILURE THAT COULD COST MANY PEOPLES LIVES. I CAN'T SEEM TO IMAGINE THAT A CAR THAT IS 7 YEARS OLD IS COMING APART. AS OF TODAY JUNE 10 THERE IS NO WORD ON HOW MUCH IS GOING TO COST TO FIX IT BUT IT APPEARS THAT IS GOING TO BE A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO THE DAMAGE IT CAUSED TO THE REST OF THE CAR.

Latches/Locks/Linkages

ODI #10116545

Incident: March 29, 2005 · Filed: April 7, 2005

I AM AN ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1998 MIRAGE. THIS WINTER MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR BECAME HARD TO OPEN AND CLOSE (STIFF). EVENTUALLY, MY OPEN DOOR LIGHT BECAME PERMANENTLY ACTIVATED. AFTER THAT, THE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE APPROPRIATELY. IT SEEMED IT WAS HANGING DOWN AND BEGAN RUBBING ON THE SIDE OF THE CAR. AT THIS POINT, I WAS GOING TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT WHEN THE DOOR FELL ON ME. I HAD TO USE A JACK TO RAISE AND CLOSE IT. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE DOOR IS COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. I CONTACTED MITSUBISHI. I ASKED IF THEY HAD HEARD OF ANY SUCH INCIDENTS. HE RESPONDED, HE HAD NOT HEARD OF ANYTHING LIKE IT BUT REFERRED ME TO MY NEAREST MITSUBISHI DEALER. I TOOK IT IN THE NEXT DAY, BUT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WOULD NOT EVEN LOOK AT MY CAR BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN A SMALL FENDER BENDER 2 YEARS AGO THAT AFFECTED THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF MY BUMPER. I EXPLAINED THIS TO HIM BUT HE WOULD NOT DEAL WITH THE SITUATION. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE DOOR PROBLEM IS IN ANY WAY ASSOCIATED. NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

Visibility

ODI #10101666

Incident: November 23, 2004 · Filed: November 26, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 55 - 60 MPH REAR WINDOW SHATTERED AFTER TURNING ON THE DEFOGGER. METALLIC STRIPPING ON THE WINDOW WAS RED BEFORE THE WINDOW SHATTERED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10057333

Crash Fire 3 injuries

Incident: January 26, 2004 · Filed: February 2, 2004

THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES FAILED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED THERE WAS A DELAY BEFORE THE BRAKES ENGAGED. THIS CONDITION CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *NM AS A RESULT OF THE BRAKE FAILURE THE DRIVER HIT A PILLAR. THE DRIVER AND TWO PASSENGER'S WERE INJURED. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10037096

Incident: August 25, 2003 · Filed: September 2, 2003

1998 MITSUBISH MIRAGE HAD TO HAVE THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS DONE 2 TIMES IN 10,000 MILES. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10031535

Incident: November 14, 2000 · Filed: July 30, 2003

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BOLT RECALL 00 V 311 001 DEFECT OCCURRED. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT THE DEALERSHIP HAD CHECK THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY AND INDICATED THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE, AND DIDN'T NEED REPLACEMENT.

Other Mitsubishi Mirage model years

Check your 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mitsubishi Mirage at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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