1997 Mitsubishi Mirage Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe airbag behavior in crashes (no deployment, unexpected deployment, or deployment with burns) and a cluster of engine and cooling problems tied to the crankshaft pulley bolt recall and to stalling. Transmission complaints are also common and centre on hard shifting, gear failure and repeated repairs. Reports are spread across a wide mileage range, from a few tens of thousands of miles up to well past 150,000.

1. 1
   Air bags

   Airbags fail to deploy or deploy unexpectedly

   • 13 complaints (18%)
   • typically at 3.0 yrs old
   • 11 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2003

   Complaints describe frontal impacts, deer strikes and hydroplaning events where neither airbag deployed, as well as low-speed or unrelated events where the bags did deploy. Some owners report the passenger bag inflating partially or the driver bag exploding on deployment, and some report burns, scrapes or bruising from deployment. Mileage and circumstances vary widely, and several say the dealer could not explain why the bags did or did not fire. Reported across many mileages and crash circumstances, including moderate-speed impacts and low-speed events such as hitting a curb or drain.

   What to check: Have the airbag system scanned for stored fault codes and confirm the SRS warning light behaves normally (it should come on briefly at start-up and then go out). Ask whether the airbags have ever been replaced or serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving at about 65 MPH, had a very bad tire blowout. Front driver's side tires, and back driver's side tires blewout, car hit a concrete wall, and driver's side airbag deployed and inflated. However, passenger's side air bag deployed, but did not inflate. Consumer felt someone could have been seriously injured in this type of situation.”

   NHTSA complaint #864228, filed 2000-06

   “While driving at the speeds of 60-65mph vehicle struck a 180 pound deer, causing serious damage to the front of vehicle. Upon impact, neither driver's side or passenger side air bags deployed. Driver suffered injuries to the back and neck. Also, driver's face struck steering wheel. Dealer has been contacted.”

   NHTSA complaint #852950, filed 1999-11
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Crankshaft pulley bolt loosens or fails

   • 11 complaints (15%)
   • median 94,806 mi at 11.4 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2000–2008

   Complaints describe the bolt holding the crankshaft pulley coming loose, the pulley or harmonic balancer coming off, and in some cases serious engine damage afterwards. Several owners say the recall repair was performed once or more and the problem returned, or that parts were unavailable for weeks and the dealer could not complete the work. A few report being charged for the repair despite the recall. Reported from roughly 30,000 to 100,000-plus miles, with several complaints filed after the recall notice was received.

   Recall 00V311001

   What to check: Ask whether recall 00V311001 (crankshaft pulley bolt) was completed and keep the paperwork. Listen for pulley or belt noise at idle and have the pulley and bolt inspected on a car that has not had the recall done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I saw the recall id 00v311001 but I have already paid for the fix of my car because I didn't saw the recall what can I do about the money I paid to a mechanic I sped $700.00 dollars on the repairs I hope you can help me thanks.”

   NHTSA complaint #10219020, filed 2008-02, 94,806 miles

   “After receiving the recall notice one day before the failure, the dealer informed me that the parts would require a 9 day wait. The vehicle engine now operates worse than it ever has before and has cost over 3000 dollars in additional repairs brought on by the failure. Dealer was very belligerent and uncooperative in the recall. I actually had to push my car two blocks to the service center from where it was parked(after part failure).”

   NHTSA complaint #750456, filed 2001-08
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Manual and automatic transmission shifting problems and

   • 11 complaints (15%)
   • typically at 2.7 yrs old
   • filed 1998–2001

   Complaints describe hard shifting when cold, grinding between first and second gear, difficulty engaging first gear, rattling in neutral, and a harsh 2-3 upshift. Some owners report fifth gear failing or the transmission dropping into neutral while driving, and several say a replacement transmission or internal parts were needed, sometimes more than once. A few mention a torque converter diagnosis or disputes about who should pay for the repair. Mostly reported in the first few years of ownership; one owner reports tranmission failures roughly every 12,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check transmission fluid condition and level, drive through all gears including fifth, and note any grinding, flare or harsh engagement. Ask whether the transmission has been rebuilt or replaced and keep service records.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The car is having a problem shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear. I took it to the dealership and after running tests they determined I was in need of a new transmission. The transmission was just serviced in january. I was not experiencing any other problems until all of a sudden it started shifting really hard from 2nd to 3rd. It shakes and then bangs into gear.”

   NHTSA complaint #730339, filed 2000-09

   “(at around 57, 000 miles, we had the car serviced 11/30/99. Included was a 60,000 mile transmission check and service. ) on april 10, 2000, the transmission failed without warning. It went out of gear into neutral so my husband had no control of the car. He was driving in our neighborhood, so luckily he didn't get into an accident or get hurt. Note: some of the auto information and dealer info is incomplete--the paperwork is in the car at the mechanics, I can get that info if you need. Thank you.”

   NHTSA complaint #721677, filed 2000-04
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalling and sudden shutdown

   • 9 complaints (12%)
   • typically at 2.7 yrs old
   • filed 1998–2007

   Owners describe the engine stalling when the clutch is depressed, when coming to a stop, from a cold start, or without warning while driving. Some report the car would not restart or that no dashboard lights came on, and others say the dealer could not find a cause even after computer checks. One complaint links a poor throttle body connection to the stall. Reported across a wide mileage span, both cold-start and fully warmed conditions.

   What to check: Test-drive from cold and at operating temperature, including stop-and-go and clutch operation, and watch for a fluctuating or stalling idle. Ask whether throttle body, ignition and fuel-delivery parts have been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Problem #1) immediately following the purchase of the car, I became aware that there was a problem. The car stalls when the clutch is depressed. It will occur a dozen times throughout the day and then not happen for another 6-8 months. It happened for the first time approximately 6 months after the purchase. I reported it to colonial auto center and nothing was found wrong. It happened again in january 1998 while my husband was driving. Again, I brought the car back and nothing was found. …”

   NHTSA complaint #707644, filed 1999-06

   “Overhead dome light and srs light come on. Gas guage fails to work properly, not showing correct amount of fuel. Vehicle wanders unexpectedly carbon build up causes vehicle to stall. Speedometer shows different speed than actually doing; wheels vibrates; was told tires cupping.”

   NHTSA complaint #826146, filed 1998-07
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake grinding, noise and pedal feel

   • 7 complaints (9%)
   • typically at 2.6 yrs old
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2002

   Owners describe grinding noises when braking, a pedal that goes to the floor, and rotors that were replaced repeatedly. Some say the dealer told them the noise was normal or could not identify a fault, and one reports smoking and burning from the brakes after parking. Another notes uneven front pad wear and rear brakes out of adjustment. Reported at various mileages, typically on cars with several years of use.

   What to check: Have the brakes inspected on a lift for pad and rotor wear, seized calipers and rear adjustment, and check pedal firmness on a test drive. Ask for brake service records.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My car is only three years old and has been serviced as suggested. All of a sudden my transmission goes out. The manufacturer is now telling me that I will need a new one. The car is not that old and in my opinion I do not feel that it should already be in need of an overhaul. My brakes are also beginning to fail. The brake pads and rotors have already been changed twice and now are beginning to grind again. After having it checked my a mechanic, he says I do not need new brake pads but they continue to make a grinding noise. …”

   NHTSA complaint #730337, filed 2000-09

   “Had taken vehicle to dealer & informed by mechanic no defects or problems w/brakes. Later, had an accident & front brake pads were found to be worn unevenly on one side, but not on other side. Back brakes were found totally out of adjustment.”

   NHTSA complaint #822240, filed 1998-04

Buying note. Check that the crankshaft pulley recall was performed and that the airbag system has no stored faults, then drive the car through all gears and test the brakes thoroughly. On a car this age, service records and a pre-purchase inspection matter more than any single reported issue.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 54 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.