The most-reported i-MiEV run is JA3215H16CU (2012 builds) with 3 complaints, 1.6× the typical run. Service brakes problems make up 50% of reports; NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for i-MiEV model years 2012–2017.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Mitsubishi i-MiEV has 7 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 85% of every i-MiEV complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JA3215H16CU•••••• | 2012 | 1 | — | |
| JA3215H13CU•••••• | 2012 | 1 | — | |
| JA3215H18CU•••••• | 2012 | — | — | |
| JA3215H19CU•••••• | 2012 | — | — | |
| JA3215H1XCU•••••• | 2012 | — | — | |
| JA3215H12CU•••••• | 2012 | — | — | |
| JA3215H45HU•••••• | 2017 | — | — |
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 12 | 6 | 2 |
Heaviest year here is 2012 at 2 complaints per run; lightest is 2012 at 2.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 50% of everything Mitsubishi i-MiEV owners report: Service Brakes, 10 of 13 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 2 | — | |
| Electrical System | — | — | |
| Air Bags | 1 | — | |
| Power Train | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | — | — | |
| Engine | — | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | — | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 7 recall campaigns on the Mitsubishi i-MiEV; the 6 below cover build years 2012 to 2017. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 19V804000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum | 2012–2017 |
| 14V522000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum | 2012–2014 |
| 17V793000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2016–2017 |
| 17V022000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2012–2014 |
| 15V594000 | Air Bags | 2012 |
| 12V372000 | Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive | 2012 |
19V804000 was opened in 2019 on cars built from 2012: 7 years on the road before the recall.
How serious were they
Of the 13 reports on the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, 15.4% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Mitsubishi i-MiEV | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 13 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 2 (15.4%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 0 (0%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 1 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 166% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Mitsubishi i-MiEV share of that is 13 complaints over 7 runs, 0% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Mitsubishi i-MiEV VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 13 NHTSA complaints from 7 i-MiEV runs and 7 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which i-MiEV production run has the most complaints?
JA3215H16CU, a 2012 build, with 3 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical i-MiEV run has 1.9.
How many i-MiEV complaints involve a crash?
15.4% of 13 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 0 involved a fire.
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