1996 Mitsubishi Mirage Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Apr 22, 2004 · 28 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Mirage years
More complaints than other years 9th of 18 for complaints
Safety recalls
None on file
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Mitsubishi Mirage. That ranks 9th out of 18 Mirage model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (12 complaints, 43%), typically at around 83 miles. Complaints mention 11 crashes, 1 fire, 7 injuries. There are no safety recalls on file for this model year.

Mitsubishi Mirage
2021 Mitsubishi Mirage ES in Mystic Black Metallic.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 1996 Mitsubishi Mirage problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Air Bags12 · ~83 mi
Power Train4
Engine and Engine Cooling3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
Latches/locks/linkages2
Seat Belts2
Suspension2
Wheels2
Electrical System1
Equipment1
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Air Bags1243%83——
Power Train414%———
Engine and Engine Cooling311%———
Service Brakes, Hydraulic311%———
Latches/locks/linkages27%———
Seat Belts27%———
Suspension27%———
Wheels27%———
Electrical System14%———
Equipment14%———
Seats14%———
Structure14%———
Unknown or Other14%———
Visibility14%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 1997, with 9 complaints
1996: 8199681997: 9199791998: 3199831999: 1199912000: 3200032001: 2200122002: 1200212004: 120041

n = 28 complaints · Source: NHTSA

1996 Mitsubishi Mirage recalls (0)

No safety recalls are on file for the 1996 Mitsubishi Mirage.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

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…

Visibility · received Jan 15, 2004 · NHTSA complaint 10071159

The air bags did not deploy during an accident. Yh

Air Bags · received Jan 17, 2002 · NHTSA complaint 564003

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. *ak *nlm

Air Bags · received Nov 5, 2001 · NHTSA complaint 898770

When brakes were applied they went to floor. Brake master cylinder repaired. *ak

Service Brakes, Hydraulic · received Mar 9, 2001 · NHTSA complaint 882556

1996, mitsubishi lancer; while driving vehicle stalls unexpectedly which may cause a crash. Mitsubishi cannot determine the cause. *ak

Electrical System · received Oct 12, 2000 · NHTSA complaint 872818

Other Mitsubishi Mirage years

← 1995 Mirage · 1997 Mirage →

See all Mitsubishi Mirage problems by year, every Mitsubishi model, or the Mitsubishi VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Mitsubishi Mirage?

Owners most often report air bags, power train, engine and engine cooling problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 12 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 1996 Mitsubishi Mirage?

No safety recalls are on file for this model year.

Was the 1996 Mitsubishi Mirage a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Mirage model years, the 1996 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.