1988 Mitsubishi Mirage Problems
- Complaints
- 8filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 27 mpgcombined, 1.5L 4-cyl FWD · 25 city / 29 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by seat belts (3) and brakes (1). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 4 technical service bulletins for this model year. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the buckle assembly filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling3 38%
- Seat belts3 38%
- Brakes1 13%
Example complaints
Latches, locks and linkages: “Hood latch is is a round protrustion that fits into hole on body of car. Round protrusion is held in place by small flat sided piece of metal that slides back and forth instead of by positive clamping action. When the spring or whatever keeps the sliding piece against the protrusion is broken or weakened, the hood flies up obscuring the driver's vision. This is scary at night on a windy road.”
NHTSA complaint #752690, filed 2001-09Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mirage FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 29 | 35 | 31 | $2,150 |
| Mirage FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 27 | 34 | 30 | $2,250 |
| Mirage FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 25 | 29 | 27 | $2,500 |
| Mirage FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Mirage FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 24 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Mirage Wagon FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 26 | 32 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Mirage Wagon FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 24 | 27 | 25 | $2,700 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 95V103004May 24, 1995Seat belts › Front › Buckle assemblyCovers: Mitsubishi Mirage 1986–1991, Mighty MAX 1986–1991, Montero 1986–1991 +7 more
The front safety belt buckle release buttons can break. These red plastic release buttons are marked "press." if a button breaks, pieces can fall into the buckle assembly causing the buckle to operate improperly.
Recall details for the 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- EA93017Engine compartment firesClosed · Jun 23, 1993
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 4 on record; the latest 4 are shown.
- 10169006Nov 26, 2019Equipment. This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10163703Jul 30, 2019Equipment. This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin supersedes TSB-18-00-003, issued April, 2018, to add updated information for Carrying Capacity Reduced Label.
- 10130469Feb 26, 2018Equipment. This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170852Jan 29, 2013Body and structure. This Technical Service Bulletin updates the door adjustment procedure in the Body Section of the applicable service manuals.
Other model years of the Mitsubishi Mirage
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5 | — | 0 | 4 | 39 | — | Not enough data |
| 2018 | 10 | 14,500 | 1 | 4 | 39 | — | Not enough data |
| 2017 | 15 | 40,000 | 2 | 4 | 39 | — | Falling |
| 2015 | 39 | 14,500 | 2 | 4 | 39 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2014 | 44 | 18,500 | 3 | — | 39 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2002 | 5 | 43,304 | 1 | — | 28 | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 31 | 63,645 | 2 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 35 | 58,500 | 2 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1999 | 57 | 59,430 | 3 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 43 | 71,250 | 2 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 74 | 97,403 | 1 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 28 | 83 | 0 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 70 | 151,679 | 0 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 60 | 106,808 | 0 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 73 | 102,000 | 2 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 15 | — | 1 | — | 26 | — | Stable |
| 1991 | 38 | 6,500 | 1 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 33 | 20,000 | 1 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 6 | — | 1 | — | 28 | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 8 | — | 1 | — | 27 | — | Not enough data |
All Mitsubishi Mirage model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage have?
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by seat belts with 3.
Has the 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage get?
The EPA rates the 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage (Mirage, 1.5L 4-cyl) at 27 mpg combined, 25 city and 29 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,500 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.