1998 Mitsubishi MIRAGE: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10019704 · 2003-05-13 (May 13, 2003)
THE CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE IN THE VEHICLE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE WIPER MOTOR BURNED OUT. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019704 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10031535 · 2003-07-30 (July 30, 2003)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 30,562 miles reported. Look up ODI 10031535 at NHTSA ↗
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 10101666 · 2004-11-26 (November 26, 2004)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 99,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10101666 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10116545 · 2005-04-07 (April 7, 2005)
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 INCI…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10116545 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10124985 · 2005-06-11 (June 11, 2005)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 185,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10124985 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10127841 · 2005-07-07 (July 7, 2005)
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 [phone removed] 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
Owner-reported narrative. 49,168 miles reported. Look up ODI 10127841 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
00V311001 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Reported: 2000-10-02 (October 2, 2000)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗97V179000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1997-10-14 (October 14, 1997)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A POORLY MANUFACTURED VACUUM CHECK VALVE IN THE VACUUM HOSE BETWEEN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THE BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THE VACUUM BOOSTER CHECK VALVE CAN STICK TO THE VALVE BODY.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN REDUCTION OR LOSS OF VACUUM BOOST, REDUCING BRAKE EFFICIENCY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE VACUUM HOSE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗