1998 Mitsubishi Mirage Problems and Recalls (42 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage is Brakes (17% of 42 owner reports). There are 5 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Brakes — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 42 complaints · 5 recalls

What problems show up on the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage?

7 of 42 filings named Brakes (17% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Airbags (6 reports).

There are 5 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Engine, Lights, and Brakes. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 1997 has 73 reports on file; this year has 42. A smaller lifetime total is not a clean bill of health. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 5 campaigns on file below.
  2. Brakes. Have a shop check pads, rotors, fluid and whether the pedal feels firm.
  3. Airbags. Confirm the airbag light behaves normally and that open airbag recalls are closed.
  4. Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Brakes. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Brakes 7 complaints · 16.7% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 12
  • Fires 2
  • Injuries 9
  • Deaths 0
Compare with 1997 →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) appears in 7 of 42 owner complaints (16.7%) in this vehicle snapshot. Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 7 complaints, 16.7% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 1 crash reports 1 fire reports 7 · 16.7% Airbags (AIR BAGS): 6 complaints, 14.3% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 6 crash reports 6 · 14.3% Engine (ENGINE): 6 complaints, 14.3% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 6 · 14.3% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 4 complaints, 9.5% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 1 crash reports 4 · 9.5% Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 3 complaints, 7.1% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 1 crash reports 3 · 7.1% Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY): 3 complaints, 7.1% of reports Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 3 · 7.1% Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 2 complaints, 4.8% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 1 fire reports 2 · 4.8% Wheels (WHEELS): 2 complaints, 4.8% of reports Wheels (WHEELS) 2 · 4.8% Seat belts (SEAT BELTS): 1 complaints, 2.4% of reports Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 1 crash reports 1 · 2.4% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 37 complaints, 88.1% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 11 crash reports 2 fire reports 37 · 88.1% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 7 16.7% 1 crashes · 1 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 6 14.3% 6 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 6 14.3% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 4 9.5% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 3 7.1% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 3 7.1% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 2 4.8% 0 crashes · 1 fires
Wheels (WHEELS) 2 4.8% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 1 2.4% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 37 88.1% 11 crashes · 2 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jul 1998; the first recall shown was reported in Oct 1997. 1998-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 1998-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 1999-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 1999-Q2: 4 owner reports 4 1999-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2000-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2000-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2000-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2001-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2001-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2001-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2002-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2002-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2002-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2002-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2003-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2003-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2004-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2004-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2005-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2005-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2005-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2016-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Oct 1997 Jul 2016 Recall campaign 97V179000 ◆ Recall campaign 97V179000 Recall campaign 00V311001 ◆ Recall campaign 00V311001 Recall campaign 06E026000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E026000 Recall campaign 09E012000 ◆ Recall campaign 09E012000 Recall campaign 09E025000 ◆ Recall campaign 09E025000
  • Campaign 00V311001 was reported 795 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
1998-Q3 Owner reports 2
1998-Q4 Owner reports 1
1999-Q1 Owner reports 2
1999-Q2 Owner reports 4
1999-Q3 Owner reports 2
2000-Q1 Owner reports 1
2000-Q2 Owner reports 2
2000-Q3 Owner reports 4
2001-Q1 Owner reports 4
2001-Q2 Owner reports 1
2001-Q4 Owner reports 2
2002-Q1 Owner reports 1
2002-Q2 Owner reports 3
2002-Q3 Owner reports 2
2002-Q4 Owner reports 1
2003-Q2 Owner reports 1
2003-Q3 Owner reports 2
2004-Q1 Owner reports 1
2004-Q4 Owner reports 1
2005-Q2 Owner reports 2
2005-Q3 Owner reports 1
2005-Q4 Owner reports 1
2016-Q3 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 97V179000
Recall campaign 1 00V311001
Recall campaign 1 06E026000
Recall campaign 1 09E012000
Recall campaign 1 09E025000
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (5)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Engine, Lights, and Brakes.

  1. Recall campaign 00V311001

    Engine

    Report date
    Component:
    Engine (ENGINE)
    Consequence:
    THE CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 06E026000

    Safety recall 06E026000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 09E012000

    Safety recall 09E012000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Recall campaign 09E025000

    Lights

    Report date
    Component:
    Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)
    Consequence:
    DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Recall campaign 97V179000

    Brakes

    Report date
    Component:
    Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
    Consequence:
    THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN REDUCTION OR LOSS OF VACUUM BOOST, REDUCING BRAKE EFFICIENCY.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE VACUUM HOSE.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 10 of 42 complaints · page 1 of 2
2016-07-22Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 10887660
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2005-11-29Body / frame (STRUCTURE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10143922
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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
2005-07-07Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10127841
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 [redacted] 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
2005-06-11Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10124985
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2005-04-07Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10116545
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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
2004-11-26Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10101666
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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
2004-02-02Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10057333
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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
2003-09-02Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10037096
CrashFireInjuryDeath
1998 MITSUBISH MIRAGE HAD TO HAVE THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS DONE 2 TIMES IN 10,000 MILES. *AK
2003-07-30Engine (ENGINE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10031535
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2003-05-13Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10019704
CrashFireInjuryDeath
THE CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE IN THE VEHICLE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE WIPER MOTOR BURNED OUT. *NLM

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage?

Owners named Brakes most often — 7 of 42 reports (17%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage?

NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Engine, Lights, and Brakes. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop check pads, rotors, fluid and whether the pedal feels firm. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources