The most-reported Mirage run is ML32A3HJ6FH (2015 builds) with 7 complaints, 4.7× the typical run. Air bags problems make up 21% of reports; 1999 is the worst model year at 2.3 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns for Mirage model years 1986–2018.
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 Mirage has 351 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 6% of every Mirage complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ML32A3HJ6FH•••••• | 2015 | 1 | — | |
| JA3AY26AXXU•••••• | 1999 | — | — | |
| JA3AY26AXWU•••••• | 1998 | 3 | — | |
| JA3AY26A8VU•••••• | 1997 | 2 | — | |
| JA3AY26A1XU•••••• | 1999 | 1 | — | |
| JA3AY11A3XU•••••• | 1999 | 1 | — | |
| JA3AY26A9XU•••••• | 1999 | 1 | — | |
| JA3AA11A3SU•••••• | 1995 | 3 | — | |
| JA3AY26C9YU•••••• | 2000 | 1 | — | |
| JA3CU26X0LU•••••• | 1990 | 1 | — | |
| JA3CA21A3PU•••••• | 1993 | — | — | |
| JA3AY26C7YU•••••• | 2000 | 4 | — |
Each of the other 339 Mirage runs has 4 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 38 Mirage VINs so far, most often 2024, 2015, 2021 builds.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Mitsubishi Mirage the gap between build years is 2.3×: a 1999 car draws 2.3 complaints per run, a 1989 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 4 | — | |
| 2019 | 5 | 5 | 2 | |
| 2018 | 9 | 8 | 3 | |
| 2017 | 14 | 13 | 4 | |
| 2015 | 34 | 17 | 8 | |
| 2014 | 37 | 21 | 12 | |
| 2001 | 25 | 17 | 6 | |
| 2000 | 25 | 15 | 8 | |
| 1999 | 39 | 17 | 8 | |
| 1998 | 32 | 17 | 9 | |
| 1997 | 55 | 37 | 9 | |
| 1996 | 20 | 14 | 9 | |
| 1995 | 45 | 31 | 20 | |
| 1994 | 38 | 32 | 14 | |
| 1993 | 58 | 41 | 1 | |
| 1992 | 7 | 6 | — | |
| 1991 | 26 | 24 | 4 | |
| 1990 | 23 | 15 | 1 | |
| 1989 | 4 | 4 | — | |
| 1988 | 5 | 4 | — |
Heaviest year here is 1999 at 2.3 complaints per run; lightest is 1989 at 1. The 2024 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 21% of everything Mitsubishi Mirage owners report: Air Bags, 109 of 517 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 82 | — | |
| Seat Belts | 13 | — | |
| Service Brakes | 22 | 1 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 | 4 | |
| Electrical System | 3 | 8 | |
| Power Train | 1 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 17 | 1 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 9 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 15 recall campaigns on the Mitsubishi Mirage; the 6 below cover build years 1986 to 2018. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 06E026000 | Exterior Lighting | 1997–2002 |
| 09E012000 | Exterior Lighting | 1997–2002 |
| 09E025000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 1997–2002 |
| 95V103004 | Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly | 1986–1991 |
| 17V686000 | Air Bags | 2014–2018 |
| 04V428000 | Equipment:other:labels | 1999–2002 |
The Mirage against its rivals
The Mirage draws 1.5 complaints per production run; the Chevrolet Spark 2.3. That is the lowest rate of the 2.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Mirage | 517 | 351 | 23.4% | |
| Chevrolet Spark | 487 | 214 | 9.2% |
How serious were they
Of the 517 reports on the Mitsubishi Mirage, 23.4% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Mitsubishi Mirage | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 517 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 121 (23.4%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 13 (2.5%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 109 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 303% 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 Mirage share of that is 517 complaints over 351 runs, 0.05% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Mitsubishi Mirage VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 517 NHTSA complaints from 351 Mirage runs and 15 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Mirage production run has the most complaints?
ML32A3HJ6FH, a 2015 build, with 7 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical Mirage run has 1.5.
Which Mirage years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1999 is heaviest at 2.3 complaints per run and 1989 lightest at 1.
Does the Mirage get more complaints than the Chevrolet Spark?
No: 1.5 complaints per production run for the Mirage against 2.3 for the Chevrolet Spark.
How many Mirage complaints involve a crash?
23.4% of 517 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 13 involved a fire.
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