1997 Mitsubishi Mirage: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage: 1 recall, 74 owner complaints and up to 31 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer, plus 3 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #00V311001 · 2000 · 210,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 could fall off the vehicle.
Why it matters: The condition can result in a loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: On the mirage vehicles, the dealers will install a new, improved crankshaft pulley bolt on the older engines. On new engines which already have the improved bolt, the dealer will tighten the crankshaft pulley bolt to the correct torque specification. On the montero models, dealers will tighten the…
3 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E026000 · 2006 · 61,944 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E025000 · 2009 · 42,540 vehicles
What's wrong: Dope, Inc. is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dope, Inc. will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 11 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (18): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (6), warning light on (2).
- Airbags (15): the most common themes are fails to deploy (2).
- Transmission & drivetrain (15): the most common themes are noise or vibration (6), hard / delayed shifting (5), stalls / loses power (2).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (6): the most common themes are noise or vibration (3).
The 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage has 74 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 23 Mirage model years for complaints (2.5× the average Mirage year). Complaints peaked in 2000 (15 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 97,403 miles. Neighboring years: 1996 (28 complaints, 0 recalls), 1998 (43 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 36 | 31 | Regular |
| 1.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 33 | 28 | Regular |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 33 | 28 | Regular |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 30 | 26 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage, plus 3 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage problems?
Owners have filed 74 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (18), airbags (15), transmission & drivetrain (15).
What gas mileage does the 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage get?
EPA ratings run up to 31 mpg combined (1.5 L, Manual 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.