2001 Mitsubishi MIRAGE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
31 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
63,645 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 31 complaints (22.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 9.7% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 6.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.2% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 |
| Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments | 6 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 1 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 7; Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments: 6; Air Bags:Frontal: 3; Unknown Or Other: 2; Air Bags: 1; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 1; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Horn: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 15 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 8 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2001: 1; 2002: 8; 2003: 4; 2004: 1; 2005: 7; 2006: 3; 2007: 2; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2012: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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 10001235 · 2002-12-19 (December 19, 2002)
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND NO WARNING THE TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP GEARS CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001235 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007597 · 2003-02-16 (February 16, 2003)
COMPLAINT TYPE INVOLVES A PAINT DEFECT. I PURCHASED A NEW 2001 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE FROM PATRIOT FORD - MITSUBISHI IN BECKLEY, WV. I BOUGHT IT IN DECEMBER 2000. THE FOURTH DAY I HAD THE CAR I BRUSHED SNOW OF THE HOOD AND PAINT CAME OFF WITH IT. FOR THE NEXT FIVE MONTHS PAINT CAME OFF MOSTLY WHEN IT WAS WASHED. THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED TO PAY FOR PAINTING ONLY PART OF THE CAR. THIS WAS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO PAY FOR A TOTAL PAINT JOB ALTHOUGH I DON'T KNOW WHY A BRAND NEW CAR SHOULD NEED ANY PART OF IT PAINTED BUT I COUNTIN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007597 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007650 · 2003-02-17 (February 17, 2003)
2001 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE INVOLVED IN HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH 1994 FORD EXPLORER. BOTH VEHICLES ESTIMATED TO BE TRAVELING 35 MILES PER HOUR. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN 2001 MITSUBISHI. VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. ADJUSTERS FOR BOTH INSURANCE COMPANIES INVOLVED COMMENTED THAT THEY WERE SURPRISED THAT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONTACTED MITSUBISHI BECAUSE OF MY CONCERN THAT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ASKED IF THEY COULD HAVE REPRESENTATIVE INSPECT VEHICLE. THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT THERE WAS PROBABLY TOO LITTLE IMPACT TO DEPLOY AIR BAGS. WHEN I EXPLA…
Owner-reported narrative. 20,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007650 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017090 · 2003-05-06 (May 6, 2003)
PAINT RUBS OFF THE CAR IN FOUR AREAS (FRONT-UNDER THE HOOD, BACK-BY THE LICENSE PLATE, AND RUNNING BOARD AREA UNDER THE DOORS FROM FRONT TO BACK OF CAR, BOTH SIDES) WHEN WASHING. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017090 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017093 · 2003-05-06 (May 6, 2003)
IGNITION KEY DOES NOT ALWAYS TURN TO START THE ENGINE. LOCKS UP COMPLETELY, CANNOT START THE CAR. CHANGING KEYS DOES NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017093 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10058068 · 2004-02-13 (February 13, 2004)
WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL TOWARDS THE RIGHT IT LOCKED, CAUSING A REAR END COLLISION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10058068 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10110559 · 2005-02-15 (February 15, 2005)
I PURCHASED A NEW MIRAGE FROM A DEALER IN 2001. I MIGHT HAVE HAD ABOUT 53,000 MILES ON THE CAR WHEN I STARTED HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS. I DECIDED TO LOOK INTO IT AFTER I HAD MY FIRST ACCIDENT, IN WHICH I ENDED UP REAR ENDING SOMEONE. I GOT NEW TIRES AND HAD THE DAMAGE REPAIRED. ABOUT A MONTH LATER, I HAD ANOTHER ACCIDENT RESULTING IN REAR ENDING SOMEONE. THE CAR WAS MAKING FUNNY NOISES WHEN I STOPPED. I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC WHO SAID MY BRAKE PADS WERE WORN COMPLETELY THROUGH, AS A RESULT OF MY CALIPERS FAILING TO RELEASE, WHICH ALSO WORE MY …
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10110559 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10116324 · 2005-04-04 (April 4, 2005)
DRIVER'S' DOOR HINGE FAILURE - DOOR FALLING OFF VEHICLE. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED, JUST STARTED HAPPENING. MITSUBISHI DENIES A PROBLEM, DEALER WILL FIX FOR 600 +. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED - I FOUND MORE THAN 5 DOZEN COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE IN THE 1998, 1999, 2000 MIRAGE VEHICLES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 71,885 miles reported. Look up ODI 10116324 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.
01V340001 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Reported: 2001-11-05 (November 5, 2001)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V428000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2004-09-01 (September 1, 2004)
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗