1997 Mitsubishi Mirage
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 21 of 74 complaints (28%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 28 in 1996 to 74 in 1997.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | vs. 1997 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,000–2,700 | 2,000–2,500 | 2,000–2,400 | 2,000–2,500 | 2,000–2,500 | |
| Combined MPG | 23–31 | 25–31 | 26–31 | 25–31 | 25–31 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 21–28 / 27–35 | 23–28 / 29–35 | 23–28 / 30–36 | 23–28 / 30–36 | 23–28 / 30–36 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 287–386 | 287–355 | 287–342 | 287–355 | 287–355 | |
| Complaints filed | 70 | 28 | 74 | 43 | 57 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 36 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 14 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 27 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 8 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage?
Airbags & Restraints: 21 of 74 NHTSA complaints (28%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage get?
EPA rates it 26–31 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage?
EPA estimates $2,000–$2,400 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 25 mpg | 33 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,250 | 317 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 28 mpg (high) | 36 mpg (high) | 31 mpg (high) | $2,000 (low) | 287 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 23 mpg (low) | 30 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | $2,400 (high) | 342 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 25 mpg | 33 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,250 | 317 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 21 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 09E025000 · May 11, 2009
Defect: 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.
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009
Defect: 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.
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 06E026000 · Mar 23, 2006
Defect: 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.
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · Campaign 00V311001 · Oct 24, 2000
Defect: 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.
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.