1996 Mitsubishi Mirage Problems
- Complaints
- 28filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 83miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 26 mpgcombined, 1.5L 4-cyl FWD · 24 city / 29 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1996 Mitsubishi Mirage (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 1996 Mitsubishi Mirage. The part named most often is air bags, with 12 complaints (43% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (4) and brakes (3). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 83 miles. Of all complaints, 11 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 7 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 15 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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.
- Air bags12 43%
- Brakes3 11%
- Engine cooling3 11%
- Seat belts2 7.1%
- Suspension2 7.1%
- Wheels2 7.1%
- Electrical system1 3.6%
- Equipment1 3.6%
Also reported: Other or unknown (1), Seats (1), Body and structure (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “Consumer's vehicle was involved in a front end collison in which the front driver's side and passenger's side airbags failed to deploy. As a result the driver sustained injuries to neck and back. The dealer and manufacturer have not been contacted.”
NHTSA complaint #898770, filed 2001-11, 83 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “I've had problems with the car from day one. It has always used oil, having to add more oil all the time even though I due an oil change on regular basis. This has caused me to run low on oil, and the oil does not come on until as the mechanics say "its bone dry". The air condition belt squeaked from day one, then just quit working. The water pump has now went out twice!!! The first time the thermostat also was not working, which caused me to have a major mechanical bill...no warning while out of state!!! …”
NHTSA complaint #10071159, filed 2004-01Brakes: “Driving the vehicle and the brakes lock up. This has happened several times, and the dealer changed the master cylinder but the vehicle still has the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #815595, filed 1997-08Mileage when problems were reported
100% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 83 and 83 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1996 Mitsubishi Mirage. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mirage · coupe | not rated | 3 / 3 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1996 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 | 5-speed manual | 28 | 35 | 31 | $2,150 |
| Mirage FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 24 | 29 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Mirage FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 23 | 30 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Mirage FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 23 | 30 | 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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1996 Mitsubishi Mirage in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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. 15 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10211530Apr 7, 2022Other or unknown, Exterior lighting. This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by improper sealing or a…
- 10180775Sep 22, 2020Equipment, Engine cooling. Technical Information Notice to dealerships. Due to the increased occurrence of Mirage/Mirage G4 vehicles exhibiting faulty air conditioning systems caused by low/high refrigerant levels; MMNA would…
- 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.
- 10170074Aug 28, 2015Transmission and drivetrain, Wheels, Engine cooling…. This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170070Jul 29, 2015Equipment. This TSB contains troubleshooting steps for diagnosis of various customer complaints relating to the audio system speakers in Mitsubishi vehicles equipped with original equipment audio components.
- 10170071Jul 22, 2015Transmission and drivetrain, Fuel system, Suspension…. This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170099Mar 5, 2013Equipment. This is an index of Tech Talk newsletter articles released in 2012.
- 10170096Mar 5, 2013Wheels, Transmission and drivetrain, Steering, Electrical…. This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
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 1996 Mitsubishi Mirage have?
NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 1996 Mitsubishi Mirage as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1996 Mitsubishi Mirage is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 12 complaints (43% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 4.
Has the 1996 Mitsubishi Mirage been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Mitsubishi Mirage get?
The EPA rates the 1996 Mitsubishi Mirage (Mirage, 1.5L 4-cyl) at 26 mpg combined, 24 city and 29 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,600 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1996 Mitsubishi Mirage reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 83 miles and the middle half falls between 83 and 83 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.