1999 Mitsubishi Mirage Problems and Recalls (57 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage is Engine (23% of 57 owner reports). There are 6 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Engine — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 57 complaints · 6 recalls

What problems show up on the 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage?

13 of 57 filings named Engine (23% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Brakes (13 reports).

There are 6 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Engine and Lights. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 1998 has 42 reports on file; this year has 57. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 1999 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 6 campaigns on file below.
  2. Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
  3. Brakes. Have a shop check pads, rotors, fluid and whether the pedal feels firm.
  4. Body / frame. Look for rust, collision repair and body gaps that do not match a clean truck.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Engine. 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: Engine 13 complaints · 22.8% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 14
  • Fires 0
  • Injuries 8
  • Deaths 0
Compare with 1998 →
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 Engine (ENGINE) appears in 13 of 57 owner complaints (22.8%) in this vehicle snapshot. Engine (ENGINE): 13 complaints, 22.8% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 1 crash reports 13 · 22.8% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 13 complaints, 22.8% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 4 crash reports 13 · 22.8% Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 9 complaints, 15.8% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 1 crash reports 9 · 15.8% Airbags (AIR BAGS): 6 complaints, 10.5% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 5 crash reports 6 · 10.5% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 3 complaints, 5.3% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 3 · 5.3% Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 3 complaints, 5.3% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 1 crash reports 3 · 5.3% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 2 complaints, 3.5% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 2 crash reports 2 · 3.5% Steering (STEERING): 2 complaints, 3.5% of reports Steering (STEERING) 2 · 3.5% Suspension (SUSPENSION): 2 complaints, 3.5% of reports Suspension (SUSPENSION) 2 · 3.5% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 44 complaints, 77.2% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 9 crash reports 44 · 77.2% 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)
Engine (ENGINE) 13 22.8% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 13 22.8% 4 crashes · 0 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 9 15.8% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 6 10.5% 5 crashes · 0 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 3 5.3% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 3 5.3% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 2 3.5% 2 crashes · 0 fires
Steering (STEERING) 2 3.5% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Suspension (SUSPENSION) 2 3.5% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 44 77.2% 9 crashes · 0 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 1999; the first recall shown was reported in Oct 2000. 1999-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 1999-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2000-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2000-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2000-Q3: 7 owner reports 7 2000-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2001-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2001-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2001-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2001-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2002-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2002-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2003-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2003-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2003-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2003-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2004-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2004-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2004-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2005-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2005-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2008-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Jul 1999 May 2009 Recall campaign 00V311001 ◆ Recall campaign 00V311001 Recall campaign 01V340001 ◆ Recall campaign 01V340001 Recall campaign 04V428000 ◆ Recall campaign 04V428000 Recall campaign 06E026000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E026000 Recall campaign 09E012000 ◆ Recall campaign 09E012000 Recall campaign 09E025000 ◆ Recall campaign 09E025000
  • Campaign 00V311001 was reported 433 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 01V340001 was reported 832 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 04V428000 was reported 1,863 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
1999-Q3 Owner reports 4
1999-Q4 Owner reports 2
2000-Q1 Owner reports 2
2000-Q2 Owner reports 3
2000-Q3 Owner reports 7
2000-Q4 Owner reports 5
2001-Q1 Owner reports 3
2001-Q2 Owner reports 3
2001-Q3 Owner reports 1
2001-Q4 Owner reports 2
2002-Q2 Owner reports 2
2002-Q3 Owner reports 2
2003-Q1 Owner reports 1
2003-Q2 Owner reports 2
2003-Q3 Owner reports 4
2003-Q4 Owner reports 2
2004-Q2 Owner reports 5
2004-Q3 Owner reports 3
2004-Q4 Owner reports 1
2005-Q1 Owner reports 1
2005-Q2 Owner reports 1
2008-Q1 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 00V311001
Recall campaign 1 01V340001
Recall campaign 1 04V428000
Recall campaign 1 06E026000
Recall campaign 1 09E012000
Recall campaign 1 09E025000
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (6)

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 and Lights.

  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 01V340001

    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:
    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. COMPONENTS SHOWING ANY SIGNS OF DAMAGE WILL BE REPLACED AND THE BOLT TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 26, 2001. 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 AMERICA AT 1-888-648-7820.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 04V428000

    Safety recall 04V428000

    Report date
    Component:
    Unclassified NHTSA leftover
    Consequence:
    THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
    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. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. 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 →

  5. 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 →

  6. 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 →
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 57 complaints · page 1 of 3
2008-03-13Airbags (AIR BAGS)
NHTSA ODI 10221081
CrashFireInjuryDeath
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE. WHILE STOPPED, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE FRONT END WAS DAMAGED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT IS GETTING THE RUN AROUND. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE POWERTRAIN AND FUEL TYPE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 200,000.
2005-05-31Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 10122515
CrashFireInjuryDeath
ENGINE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING AND SHUTS OFF. THE DEFECT IS INTERMITTENT AND DOES NOT GIVE A CHECK ENGINE ALARM. AS A CONSEQUENCE YOU MAY END UP WITHOUT POWER WHEN PASSING TO OTHER VEHICLES OR GOING ACCROSS INTERSECTIONS. HAVE NOT YET IDENTIFIED CAUSE. WAS REAR ENDED DO TO THIS DEFECT
2005-02-07Airbags (AIR BAGS)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10127949
CrashFireInjuryDeath
1999 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE IN A SERVICE STATION PARKING LOT. THIS INCIDENT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE WINDSHIELD AND THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. *SC *JB
2004-10-15Body / frame (STRUCTURE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10095816
CrashFireInjuryDeath
I WAS GIVEN A 1999 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY AFTER AN ACCIDENT IN MY 1997 MIRAGE. WHEN I RECEIVED THE CAR, THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS DIFFICULT TO OPEN. OVER TIME, THE DOOR BECAME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO CLOSE AND IT EVENTUALLY BECAME MISALIGNED, DROPPING WHEN IT WAS OPENED. IN JULY 2002, THE DOOR BECAME UNUSABLE BECAUSE IT COULD NOT BE OPENED FAR ENOUGH FOR A PASSENGER TO ENTER. I TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP, WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THE HINGE HAD RUSTED SHUT DUE TO UNDERUSE AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT TO A BODY SHOP. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE BODY SHOP, I WAS TOLD THAT THE DEALER WAS NOT TELLING THE TRUTH BECAUSE THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL OF CAR AND THAT THE HINGES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE BODY SHOP TOLD ME TO CONTACT MITSUBISHI DIRECTLY. I CALLED MITSUBISHI'S CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AND WAS LITERALLY TOLD "IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, THERE IS NO DEFECT AND IT'S YOUR PROBLEM NOW." I HAVE SINCE BEEN ABLE TO FIND ON YOUR WEBSITE THAT THIS IS IN FACT A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. *AK
2004-08-10Body / frame (STRUCTURE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10087619
CrashFireInjuryDeath
A CRACK DEVELOPED ON THE LOWER HINGE OF THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE UPPER AND LOWER DOOR HINGES, BUT THE CRACK RECURRED.*AK
2004-08-02Airbags (AIR BAGS)
NHTSA ODI 10084002
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE IT. *AK
2004-07-26Body / frame (STRUCTURE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10082670
CrashFireInjuryDeath
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HINGE PROBLEM. DOOR WAS INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO OPEN OR CLOSE FOR APPROX. 4 MO. LAST MONTH, THE DOOR WOULDN'T CLOSE ENOUGH TO TURN OFF THE DOOR AJAR INDICATOR OR CABIN LIGHT. FINALLY, THE DOOR BECAME MISALIGNED SO THAT CLOSING IT WASN'T POSSIBLE ANYMORE AND WOULD CATCH WITH THE CAR'S SIDE PANEL. AFTER TAKING IT TO A BODY SHOP, THEY DETERMINED THAT THE HINGE WAS THE PROBLEM; IT WAS CRACKED, BENT, AND WAS "SCRAPING" AGAINST THE DOOR, A COMPLETE DOOR REPLACEMENT IS NEEDED DUE TO THE DAMAGE. I BELIEVE THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR IS ALSO SHOWING EARLY SIGNS OF DAMAGE. CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I DECIDED TO REPORT THE PROBLEM AFTER NOTICING COMPLAINTS OF A SIMILAR NATURE REGARDING THE 1999 MIRAGE.*AK
2004-06-22Body / frame (STRUCTURE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10079667
CrashFireInjuryDeath
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED CONSUMER NOTICED THAT BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS WOULD NOT LINE UP PROPERLY IN ORDER TO CLOSE. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING AS DESIGNED. *AK
2004-05-31Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10074527
CrashFireInjuryDeath
BRAKING PRODUCES SQUEAKING AND RUBBING SOUNDS EVEN AFTER ROTORS WERE TURNED & REPLACED. MULTIPLE PAD REPLACEMENTS OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST 3 YEARS. THE REPEATED RUBBING AND SQUEAKING SOUNDS OCCUR EVEN AFTER BRAKE SERVICE AFTER LESS THAN 1500 MILES. *AK TRANSMISSION: CAR IS "SLOW" TO ACCELERATE AND SOMETIMES STALES UPON ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS FROM 0 TO 40 MILES/HOUR. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON....O2 SENSOR(S) REPLACED.....CATALYTIC CONVERTER PROBLEM??????? THE CAR PASSED ITS EMMISSION CONTROL INSPECTION.
2004-04-20Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10066318
CrashFireInjuryDeath
THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OF MY 1999 MIRAGE MITSUBISHI IS FALLING FROM ITS BOTTOM HINGE. THE BOTTOM HINGE IS CRACKED AND BROKEN. WHEN I OPEN THE DOOR IT FALLS IN A SLANT TOWRD THE FLOOR. IT WILL NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. BECAUSE IT IS A AJAR MY INTERIOR LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *AK *LA

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage?

Owners named Engine most often — 13 of 57 reports (23%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage?

NHTSA lists 6 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Engine and Lights. 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 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise. 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