Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage
NHTSA data on file today
The 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 74 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #09E025000 FMVSS 108/REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS/AMBER REFLECTOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09E012000 FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E026000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #00V311001 MITSUBISHI AMERICA/CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 17 complaints
- Air Bags 15 complaints
- Power Train 14 complaints
- Seat Belts 6 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 5 complaints
- Suspension 5 complaints
Of the 74 complaints on file, 13 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 74 complaints, owners report 11 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,000–$8,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage shows a below-average reliability due to notable complaints in the engine, air bags, and power train systems, along with four recall campaigns primarily involving lighting and engine issues. The limited data restricts a comprehensive assessment but highlights potential concerns in vital components.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 80,000–120,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | common |
| Air Bags | Unknown | $300–$800 | common |
| Power Train | 100,000–150,000 miles | $600–$2,000 | common |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil change every 7,500 miles
- Replace brake pads every 40,000 miles
- Coolant flush every 45,000 miles
- Spark plug replacement at 60,000 miles
- Timing belt replacement every 60,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Rattling noise in engine
- Brake pedal feels spongy
- Airbag warning light
- Delayed shifting
- Unusual engine vibrations
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.