1998 Mitsubishi MIRAGE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
32 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
71,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 32 complaints (15.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 12.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 9.4% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 6.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 5 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 2 |
| Seats | 2 |
| Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 5; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 2; Seats: 2; Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 25 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 7 |
| 2001 | 7 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2000: 7; 2001: 7; 2002: 7; 2003: 3; 2004: 2; 2005: 4; 2016: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10037096 · 2003-09-02 (September 2, 2003)
1998 MITSUBISH MIRAGE HAD TO HAVE THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS DONE 2 TIMES IN 10,000 MILES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10037096 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057333 · 2004-02-02 (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
Owner-reported narrative. 46,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057333 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 741752 · 2001-03-01 (March 1, 2001)
IT POTHOLE CAUSING ME TO RUN UP ON THE CURB. THERE WAS NOT SUFFICIENT IMPACT FOR MY BODY TO BE THROWN FORWARD, BUT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ANYWAY. DAMAGE TO THE CAR IS LIMITED TO TO A CRACK ON THE LOWER LEFT FRONT GROUND EFFECT AND A CRACKED TRANSMISSION PAN.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 741752 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 761341 · 2002-04-29 (April 29, 2002)
SINCE THE THIRD DAY OF PURCHASE, I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND INFORMED THE SALESMAN ALL THE PROBLEMS AND HE SAID THAT THE CAR HAS A NEW INVERT SYSTEM AND IT WILL GET USED TO THE WAY I DRIVE THE CAR. BEFORE THE MONTH OF PURCHASED, THE CAR STOPPED WHILE DRIVEN AND IT HAD TO BE TOWERED TO THE DEALER. THE SERVICE PEOPLE SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE ALARM SYSTEM. THEY CHANGED THE CABLES RELATED TO THE ALARM, BUT AFTER THAT THE CAR I TOOK THE CAR MANY TIMES TO THE SERVICE CENTER. THE CAR SHIFT THE GEARS NO MATTERS THE SPEED. WHILE STOP ON…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 761341 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 884991 · 2001-04-03 (April 3, 2001)
ENGINE STALLS WHEN DRIVING. ALSO, TRANSMISSION GETS STUCK INTO GEARS. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEMS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 884991 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8014360 · 2002-07-19 (July 19, 2002)
CONSUMER NOTICED FUEL LEAKING. DEALER STATED THAT FUEL TANK HAD RUSTED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AKTHE GAS TANK AND THE ENTIRE FUEL LINE IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT UPON INSPECTION SINCE THE FUEL TANK HAD RUSTED, MITSUBISHI DECIDED THE FUEL TANK WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. *JG
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8014360 at NHTSA ↗