2016 Mitsubishi Mirage problems

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The Mitsubishi Mirage is a range of cars produced by the Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi from 1978 until 2003 and again since 2012. The hatchback models produced between 1978 and 2003 were classified as subcompact cars, while the sedan and station wagon models, marketed prominently as the Mitsubishi Lancer, were the compact offerings. The liftback introduced in 1988 complemented the sedan as an additional compact offering, and the coupé of 1991 fitted in with the subcompact range. The current Mirage model is a subcompact hatchback and sedan and it replaces the Mitsubishi Colt sold between 2002 and 2012.

Nameplate history

The Mirage has a complicated marketing history, with a varied and much convoluted naming convention that differed substantially depending on the market. Mitsubishi used the Mirage name for all five generations in Japan, with all but the first series badged as such in the United States. However, other markets often utilized the name Mitsubishi Colt and sedan variants of the Mirage have been widely sold as the Mitsubishi Lancer—including in Japan where the two retailed alongside one another. In Japan, the Mirage was sold at a specific retail chain called Car Plaza.

In the United States and Canada, the first four generations were sold through a venture with Chrysler as the Dodge Colt and the similar Plymouth-badged Champ and Colt. Later, the venture brought the Eagle Vista and Summit branded models which sold alongside the aforementioned. Confusingly, Chrysler has also offered an unrelated Dodge Lancer at various stages between the 1950s and 1980s. However, when DaimlerChrysler briefly controlled Mitsubishi through the DaimlerChrysler-Mitsubishi alliance from 2000 through to 2004, the license to the "Lancer" name was relinquished to Mitsubishi for usage in North America. Thus, after the fifth and final generation Mirage, replacement models in North America have adopted the new name.

Mitsubishi introduced replacements for the fifth series of Mirage, starting in 2000 with a new generation of Lancer—now larger, having moved up to the compact segment. Then in 2002, a subcompact five-door hatchback badged Colt globally became available. By 2003, the Mirage and its derivatives had been completely phased out of mainstream Japanese production. For the 2002-era Colt's replacement in 2012, Mitsubishi decided to resurrect the Mirage name internationally for a new sixth generation model.

With the rising popularity of boxy subcompact SUVs in Japan, the Mirage nameplate was used on a domestic market-only model called the Mirage Dingo, from 1999. The Dingo was facelifted in 2001 and canceled in 2003. However, New Zealand sold a very different Mirage from 2002—a rebadged Dutch-manufactured Mitsubishi Space Star labeled Mirage Space Star. This vehicle was not very popular and was discontinued in 2003.

2016 Mitsubishi Mirage

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Common 2016 Mitsubishi Mirage problems

The Mitsubishi Mirage 2016 has been reported to have several common problems based on complaints from owners. One of the most frequently reported issues is the car's tendency to not start or have a failed distributor, with 27 people reporting this problem. This issue could be due to a variety of factors, such as a faulty ignition system, a dead battery, or a malfunctioning starter motor.

Another common problem with the Mitsubishi Mirage 2016 is the front brake pads wearing out far sooner than they should. This issue has been reported by many owners, and it is something that potential buyers should pay particular attention to during their test drive. The front brake pads are a relatively inexpensive part to replace, but they can be a sign of other underlying issues with the car's braking system.

In addition to these issues, some owners have reported difficulties connecting their phone using the Bluetooth system, while others have reported issues with the car's Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system. These issues, while not as common as the ones mentioned above, can still be a cause for concern for potential buyers.

The Mitsubishi Mirage 2016 has also been criticized for its slow acceleration and unbearable noise levels at high speeds. This has been described as a common problem with small economy cars, but some owners have reported that the Mirage takes this to a different level. Despite these issues, some owners have reported that the car is reliable and cheap to operate, making it a good option for those looking for a no-frills commuter car.

In summary, the Mitsubishi Mirage 2016 has several common problems that potential buyers should be aware of. These include issues with the car's starting system, front brake pads, Bluetooth system, and Electronic Stability Control system. While some owners have reported that the car is reliable and cheap to operate, others have criticized it for its slow acceleration and high noise levels. As with any car purchase, it is important to do your research and thoroughly test drive the car before making a decision.

2016 Mitsubishi Mirage engine

What is the common problem of Mitsubishi Mirage?

Common Issues With the Mitsubishi Mirage

No start to the failed distributor. Front brake wear troubles. Airbags that do not deploy as expected. Shifting issues with the manual transmission.

What is the weakness of Mitsubishi Mirage?

However, the weak, vibrating, and incredibly noisy three-cylinder engine provides sluggish acceleration, handling is clumsy, and the cabin is depressingly low-rent. Further lowering its standing is its poor score in the IIHS small-overlap crash test. The Mirage began as a small car with a jumpy, uncomfortable ride.

Are Mitsubishi Mirage reliable?

The Mitsubishi Mirage Reliability Rating is 4.5 out of 5.0, which ranks it 7th out of 21 for subcompact cars. The average annual repair cost is $457 which means it has excellent ownership costs.

How long will a Mitsubishi Mirage engine last?

With proper care, regular maintenance, and attention to driving conditions, it's not uncommon for a Mitsubishi Mirage to last well over 100,000 miles and even reach 200,000 miles or more.

2016 Mitsubishi Mirage car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Mitsubishi Mirage problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Exterior lighting problems
  • Air bags problems
  • Unknown or other problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2016 Mitsubishi Mirage vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

2016 Mitsubishi Mirage complaints

The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2016 Mitsubishi Mirage.

2018-11-01

EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2017-09-13
  • Number Of Injuries: 3
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: ML32A33HJXH
  • Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: RECALLS ON MITSUBISHI MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. STATES THE HEAD LIGHTS AND AOR BAGS NEED TO BE REPLACED, BUT I NEVER GOT NOTICE FROM THEM FOR THE RECALLS IN THE MAIL NOR AN EMAIL. I ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH MAINTENANCE LIGHT ON DASH GOING OFF WHEN OIL CHANGE WAS DONE ON MY CAR. WINDSHIELD HAD SMEAR GLARE DURING RAIN AND AFTER RAIN OCCURRED CAUSEING ME NOT TO SEE FAR DISTANCE WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT.

2016 Mitsubishi Mirage recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 2016 Mitsubishi Mirage.

2017-10-30
  • Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
  • Components: AIR BAGS
  • Summary: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mirage vehicles. The internal acceleration sensor in the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) can misinterpret vibrations such as those from poor road conditions or a flat tire to be a sensor error thereby disabling the air bags from deploying in a crash.
  • Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as designed in a crash increase the risk of injury.
  • Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the SRS-ECU software, free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-006.
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Additional sources

More sources of information about 2016 Mitsubishi Mirage problems:

Buying a Used Mirage? Things to Look For / Common Problems ...
Buying a Used Mirage? Things to Look For / Common Problems ...
https://mirageforum.com/forum/showthread.php/8211-Buying-a-Used-Mirage-Things-to-Look-For-Common-Problems

Buying a Used Mirage? Things to Look For / Common Problems · 2013-2014 -Some early models have intermittent starter grind which will only get ...

Is the Mitsubishi Mirage really such a bad car? : r/whatcarshouldIbuy
Is the Mitsubishi Mirage really such a bad car? : r/whatcarshouldIbuy
https://www.reddit.com/r/whatcarshouldIbuy/comments/14quffy/is_the_mitsubishi_mirage_really_such_a_bad_car/

Jul 4, 2023 ... The Mirage is as “basic” as transportation can get whilst still meeting all of the U.S. vehicle standards, but by all accounts they are reliable ...

Mitsubishi Mirage Reliability and Common Problems - In The ...
Mitsubishi Mirage Reliability and Common Problems - In The ...
https://www.carparts.com/blog/mitsubishi-mirage-reliability-and-common-problems/

Jul 28, 2023 ... Common problems for the Mitsubishi Mirage include malfunctioning air bags, screeching brakes, failing A/C units, and premature brake and tire ...

Should I really not buy a Mitsubishi Mirage? : r/whatcarshouldIbuy
Should I really not buy a Mitsubishi Mirage? : r/whatcarshouldIbuy
https://www.reddit.com/r/whatcarshouldIbuy/comments/o0m3cm/should_i_really_not_buy_a_mitsubishi_mirage/

Jun 15, 2021 ... After searching on Reddit, I saw that this car is a big no-no and that I should stay far away from it but the reviews on YouTube looked ...

Mirage - Issues/Problems?
Mirage - Issues/Problems?
https://www.tsikot.com/forums/mitsubishi-cars-talk-94/mirage-issues-problems-105156/

Personally, so far, minor kalampag (expected of small cars in this country), some compressor chatter (seems common, have seen it on other ...

Other years of Mitsubishi Mirage

mitsubishi mirage 2017 photo
Mirage 2017
Mitsubishi

28

2

17

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mitsubishi mirage 2018 photo
Mirage 2018
Mitsubishi

9

1

17

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mitsubishi mirage 2019 photo
Mirage 2019
Mitsubishi

4

0

26

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mitsubishi mirage 2021 photo
Mirage 2021
Mitsubishi

1

0

13

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mitsubishi mirage 2022 photo
Mirage 2022
Mitsubishi

2

0

13

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mitsubishi mirage 1985 photo
Mirage 1985
Mitsubishi

2

0

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1

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2016 Mitsubishi Mirage photo