2019 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.

2019 Mitsubishi Mirage

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Common 2019 Mitsubishi Mirage problems

The Mitsubishi Mirage 2019 has been reported to have several common problems based on complaints from owners. These issues can be categorized into mechanical, electrical, and external problems.

Mechanical problems include suspension and powertrain issues. One user reported that their Mitsubishi Mirage's front strut mounts were the issue, causing a popping sound from the transmission. Another user experienced a short-lived brake pad lifespan, where the brake rotors and pads needed to be replaced earlier than expected. The front wheel bearing was also reported to have become defective before the expected mileage, causing inconvenience to the buyer.

Electrical problems are another area of concern for the Mitsubishi Mirage 2019. One user reported that their vehicle shut down at random and unknown periods, even once in the middle of the highway with no warning lights. This electrical malfunction has caused discomfort and safety concerns for the driver.

External issues include the car being structurally very noisy, bringing in a lot of noises from the outside while in operation within the cabin. This can cause discomfort for the driver and passengers.

It is important to note that there have been no recalls made for the 2019 Mitsubishi Mirage, and the car has only 2 complaints, making it a relatively reliable option in the compact car market. However, potential buyers should be aware of these common problems and consider them when making a purchasing decision.

2019 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.

What is the reviews on 2019 Mitsubishi Mirage?

During our time in the 2019 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 sedan, we found the driving experience to be pleasant, but nothing special. The ride is smooth, the brakes quick to action and the CVT (continuously variable automatic transmission) more than capable of the job assigned it.

Are Mitsubishi Mirages 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.

2019 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:

  • Air bags problems
  • Unknown or other problems
  • Suspension problems
  • Power train problems
  • Electrical system problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2019 Mitsubishi Mirage vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

2019 Mitsubishi Mirage complaints

The NHTSA has received 4 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2019 Mitsubishi Mirage.

2024-09-20

AIR BAGS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-11-25
  • Number Of Injuries: 1
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: ML32A4HJ4KH
  • Components: AIR BAGS
  • Summary: On [XXX], I was traveling back to Colorado from Missouri. The weather conditions turned poor while I was traveling just west of Topeka, Kansas. I lowered my speed to below the speed limit and continued. At one point, the car lost control. At this time, it veered to left and hit hard against median. Smashing the driver side front end substantially. Airbags did not deploy at this time. My head smashed into the frame to the left of the steering wheel concussing me. (Diagnosed later by an ER Doctor, notes provided in upload) After hitting on the left median, the car then bounced across both lanes of the highway and smashed the concrete median of an overpass. On this second collision the airbags also did not deploy. Before 2023 was over or in the first few days of 2024 I notified Mitsubishi of the issue. They quickly sent me a company called: TM Claims Service, Inc. Out of Pasadena, California. I provided them all of the documentation months ago and have received no communication after they've received it. To my knowledge, there were no previous issues with the airbags or the system that runs them. If I had to estimate the first impact would have been between 50-60mph and the second at least 40-50mph. I could have easily been killed in this situation and I am disappointed in the handling of this. Note the Police Report is not as specific as this and implies one collision, as seen in the photos provided there were two. At this point I do not know where the vehicle is, as it almost been a year and I was trying to work with Mitsubishi on this. I do know if the airbags were inspected following. [XXX] is my correspondence trying to resolve this matter or have it further investigated. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2024-03-20

AIR BAGS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-03-06
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: ML32A3HJ8KH
  • Components: AIR BAGS
  • Summary: Air bags didn't deploy after impact in crash. Safety of driver was put at severe risk due to such malfunction of deployment of air bags. Vehicle has been inspected by the police and the insurance company. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. AEB didn't engage when driver applied breaks during crash. Safety of driver was put at severe risk due to such malfunction of this breaking system. Vehicle has been inspected by the police and the insurance company. There were no warning lights, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure.
2022-04-10

SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2020-04-01
  • VIN: ML32A3HJ6KH
  • Components: SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: So after my car at about 2,000 miles on it my front strut mounts gave out I had them inspected and was told that they were bad the car was practically brand new I was having a lot of noise coming from the front end and I noticed that my car took a lot longer to brake than it should. And I believe that this is a safety concern because it shouldn't be going out that soon and the increased breaking distance associated with it increases the risk of accidents. And the strut mounts should not be bad from that early on. Also another problem that my vehicle has had that I haven't gotten diagnosed yet is there is a popping sound coming from the transaxle where the axle goes into the transmission and a delay in acceleration sometimes and other times my car randomly jolts forward. And I have to explanation as to why. And the third problem that I've had from about the same mileage as my car randomly not turning on though not a safety concern unless you really need to get somewhere it still shouldn't have that problem with so little miles and it's never been in an accident. I just remembered one other thing my car rolls if the parking brake is not on which I feel like that is a safety concern it will roll about a good four or five inches and it is really sketchy and it does not have enough mileage on it to be doing this and I have never been in an accident it started doing this around the same time all these problems arose around about 2,000 miles on my car and I have to have my e-brake on just to feel comfortable to park it and I have a friend who also has a Mitsubishi and hers doesn't do that and I feel like it has something to do with the popping sound in the transmission area.
2022-02-22

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-02-22
  • VIN: ML32A5HJ4KH
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
  • Summary: My 2019 mirage kept shutting off at random times. Although it started right back at first now it won't start at all. I was driving and with no warning my car shuts off and I'm on a pretty busy highway and I have to steer it off the road traffic flying by me. My so 2 years is in the car as well and his safety as mine was put in jeopardy and is something that needs to be fixed right away. And needs to be first on recall list.

Negative 2019 Mitsubishi Mirage car reviews

  1. Doug Altenwerth 2024-09-05

    The Mitsubishi Mirage is the perfect car for me. It has all the necessary features such as a radio, CD player, heat and a/c. Winter driving used to scare me, but with the Mirage, I am confident that I can handle any weather condition. Although some may find it amusing that a riding lawnmower has more horsepower, I am not concerned as the Mirage is the best car for the money I have to spend. I will update after a snow drive to showcase its capabilities. Thank you for your time.

  2. Shayne Ondricka 2024-08-07

    I want to start by saying that I purchased this car used, and unfortunately, I have experienced a number of issues with it. The radiator cap wouldn't stay tight, which led to thermostat issues. Additionally, the suspension is now damaged, the motor has a tic, and it started blowing smoke yesterday. It throws VVT codes, and there are also electrical issues, such as the windows rolling down on their own. I didn't have high expectations for the car, but I hoped it wouldn't be this problematic. I have taken good care of it, including a full fluid change when I bought it, and always changing the oil and filter early. I even ran injector cleaner through it. However, the cost of repairs in the last 11k miles has been significant, and I could have just bought a different car for the same amount. Unfortunately, the gas mileage is not worth the trouble.

  3. Darwin Satterfield 2024-05-06

    We purchased this vehicle for commuting purposes and it has been a great gas saver. Although the acceleration on the highway is a bit lacking, it is to be expected from a 3 cylinder car. The tank size is a bit small at 9.5 gallons, but having a larger tank of 12 or 13 gallons would allow for fewer fill-ups throughout the week.

  4. Kevon Christiansen 2024-05-03

    Hey there! I just wanted to share my experience with my car. While it may not have the most horsepower, I've actually found it to be a great investment. In fact, it's saved me a lot of money on fuel costs over the past year!

  5. Ronny Yost 2024-02-06

    I rented this car for two weeks and unfortunately, it did not meet my expectations. The car felt unstable and required extra attention when going around curves. Additionally, it struggled on uphill drives and was not ideal for long distance trips. Overall, I believe there is room for improvement in the driving experience of this car.

Positive 2019 Mitsubishi Mirage car reviews

  1. Walton Baumbach 2025-07-01

    I just read a review of the 2017 Mirage on MSN and I am perplexed! The reviewer basically ended his scathing review of this car by saying owners would not take care of it because they won't love it. What?! Are you kidding? Did he bother reading CONSUMER reviews of this car? Probably not. I don't know what it is about the Mirage that reviewers hate so much, but I couldn't disagree with them more. Over a year ago, I wrote my first ever review shortly after purchasing a 2015 Mirage. My review was titled Yes, there is still cabin and engine noise, but it doesn't bother me because I'm usually playing the radio or a CD. It's still lightweight, but I swear this baby rides smoother and feels bigger! Yesterday, after scraping off the dealer decals, I couldn't wait to take that Pearl White beauty to the car wash to clean her up and show her off. I absolutely love this car! And if you decide to buy this reliable piece of transportation that gets great gas mileage and also has some pretty great options for an awesome price, I'm sure you'll love it too! Keep ignoring the haters!

  2. Felix Keebler 2025-07-01

    The interior room of this car is surprisingly spacious for its size, accommodating both passengers and cargo with ease. The fuel economy is the best in its class, matching that of hybrids. Additionally, the price of this car is very affordable, and even lower with incentives. Maintenance costs are also low, as very little oil is needed and the small tire size makes tire selection affordable. The warranty is amazing for its class, and there are plenty of options to choose from to fit anyone's needs. The CVT transmission is also smooth and efficient. However, it is worth noting that the 3-cylinder engine struggles when passing other cars or driving on any kind of grade. Additionally, road and wind noises are noticeable, and the car's styling is somewhat bland. The attention to detail and materials are also lacking, with cheap plastic and lots of gaps. It is important to be mindful of the options chosen, as they can easily push the car into not being worth the investment. Overall, I have driven this car for 3,000 miles so far without a single issue, and sometimes there's beauty in simplicity.

  3. Lesley Eichmann 2025-06-27

    I recently purchased a brand new Mirage ES (manual) with added bluetooth/center armrest) for $9299. The dealership was over 200 miles away from my home, but we did all the paperwork on my kitchen table. The 'out the door price' was $10,153.73, which included everything - tax, title, new WI plates, etc. If you're a veteran or current Mitsubishi owner, you may qualify for two more rebates. Originally, I was considering a slightly used Yaris, Fit, or Mazda2, but none of those cars would have given me a 5-year/60,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty, & an added lifetime/unlimited mileage dealership powertrain warranty. Plus, I have no worries about how my car has been taken care of from day one. It's amazing how far a 9.2 gallon tank of gas will take you. For a small car, the Mirage handles nicely and its ability to absorb bumps and potholes is amazing. Strong winds do blow it around some, but otherwise it handles great! The 5 speed manual shifts smoothly, and it's fun to drive. 78 hp is plenty of power for a car this size. I like the fact that this car is a little outside the norm. Some professional auto reviewers are missing the purpose of this vehicle. It's a simple design/platform that gets the job done very efficiently. Compare the customer review ratings (KBB for example) of the top 10 selling cars in the US & the Mirage. People who own a Mirage are very happy with their purchase. Update: It's been almost 2 years of ownership & 28,000+ miles later, & I am still very happy with my Mirage. If you are looking for an affordable, reliable, & economical 4-door hatchback, the Mirage is a great choice to consider. Update to my update: 5-years of ownership now & over 70,000 miles. I have zero regrets in purchasing this car. It's been super reliable & very economical to drive. Sadly, the great deals on new ones have disappeared.I would definitely recommend buying a used one with a 5-speed manual transmission.

  4. Jamel Balistreri 2025-06-22

    I really love this car! It's perfect for my needs - I don't need to climb mountains or anything like that. The gas mileage is great, and it's so comfortable and easy to handle. I've even driven it through winter with no problems!

  5. Fredrick Bartoletti 2025-06-14

    I find it amusing how some professional reviewers expect every car to be fast, even those with a three cylinder engine. It's important to remember that not everyone needs to go from 0-60 in 5 seconds! In my opinion, the base model is more than adequate for the price point and is the perfect little car for getting from point A to point B. I recently purchased this car after owning a Mustang GT and I'm excited to experience the fuel savings. I had a fair amount of quality issues with my previous car, but the warranty on this one is much better than Ford's. Overall, I'm very satisfied with my purchase.

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Other years of Mitsubishi Mirage

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Mirage 2021
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1

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23

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Mirage 2022
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25

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Mirage 1985
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2

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Mirage 1986
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Mirage 1987
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1

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Mirage 1988
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10

1

0

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  • 1

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