1998 Mitsubishi Mirage Problems
- Complaints
- 43filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 71,250miles, 7 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns 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
- 28 mpgcombined, 1.5L 4-cyl FWD · 25 city / 32 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 43 consumer complaints for the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage. The part named most often is air bags, with 9 complaints (21% of the total), followed by brakes (8) and transmission and drivetrain (6). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 43% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 71,250 miles. Of all complaints, 12 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 11 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 18 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the hoses, lines/piping, and fittings and 2 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 bags9 21%
- Brakes8 19%
- Engine cooling5 12%
- Other or unknown3 7.0%
- Body and structure3 7.0%
- Fuel system2 4.7%
- Seats2 4.7%
Also reported: Tires (2), Wheels (2), Engine (1), Seat belts (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “It pothole causing me to run up on the curb. There was not sufficient impact for my body to be thrown forward, but the airbags deployed anyway. Damage to the car is limited to to a crack on the lower left front ground effect and a cracked transmission pan.”
NHTSA complaint #741752, filed 2001-03Brakes: “The vehicle's brakes failed. When the brake pedal was pressed there was a delay before the brakes engaged. This condition caused extended stopping distance. As a result of the brake failure the driver hit a pillar. The driver and two passenger's were injured.”
NHTSA complaint #10057333, filed 2004-02, 46,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “Since the third day of purchase, I went back to the dealer and informed the salesman all the problems and he said that the car has a new invert system and it will get used to the way I drive the car. Before the month of purchased, the car stopped while driven and it had to be towered to the dealer. The service people said that the problem was the alarm system. They changed the cables related to the alarm, but after that the car I took the car many times to the service center. The car shift the gears no matters the speed. …”
NHTSA complaint #761341, filed 2002-04Engine cooling: “While driving at 30 MPH the crank shaft pulley bolt recall 00 v 311 001 defect occurred. Prior to the incident the dealership had check the crank shaft pulley and indicated that everything was fine, and didn't need replacement.”
NHTSA complaint #10031535, filed 2003-07, 30,562 milesMileage when problems were reported
43% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 49,168 and 99,900 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1998 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 | 36 | 31 | $2,150 |
| Mirage FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 25 | 32 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Mirage FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 25 | 33 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Mirage FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 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
- 00V311001Oct 2, 2000Engine and engine cooling › EngineCovers: Mitsubishi Mirage 1997–1999, Montero 1992–1996, Montero Sport 1997–1999
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles: mirage model vehicles equipped with 1.5l engines; montero sport models equipped with 3.0l engines; and montero models equipped with 3.0l engines. The bolt securing the crankshaft pulley can become loose and the pulley…
- 97V179000Oct 14, 1997Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Mitsubishi Mirage 1998
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles may have a poorly manufactured vacuum check valve in the vacuum hose between the intake manifold and the brake vacuum booster. When the brake pedal is depressed, the vacuum booster check valve can stick…
Recall details for the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage → · Check a 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. 18 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…
- 10199125Jun 3, 2021Suspension. This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers informing them a shock absorber oil leak may result in replacement of absorbers unnecessarily when trace amounts of oil are noted to have adhered…
- 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.
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 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage have?
NHTSA recorded 43 consumer complaints for the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 9 complaints (21% of the total), followed by brakes with 8.
Has the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage get?
The EPA rates the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage (Mirage, 1.5L 4-cyl) at 28 mpg combined, 25 city and 32 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,400 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage reported?
Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 71,250 miles and the middle half falls between 49,168 and 99,900 miles; 43% 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. 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.