2019 Mitsubishi Mirage problems

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.
Social links
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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
Positive 2019 Mitsubishi Mirage car reviews
-
Hi there! I wanted to share my experience with my 2018 Mirage ES 5 speed that I bought in November of 2017 for $9988 plus tax/license. I have to say, for that price and after 82,500 miles, it has been one of my best small cars! Here's why: The 3 cylinder engine is both refined and reliable, and surprisingly powerful for its size. While it accelerates somewhat slowly (like a 250cc motorcycle), it keeps up with legal traffic and can hold 65mph on the highway if needed with two adults at 3400 rpm, which is about half throttle. (Engine red line is 6,500rpm.) The interior is comfortable and handling is nimble and secure at normal speeds, and interior noise is low to moderate. Plus, it has bluetooth/USB and touchscreen controls, although I mostly use the manual controls and listen to the radio using the steering wheel mounted buttons. It also has power locks/windows and numerous airbags, and even a backup camera, which is a nice touch. In year-round driving in a hilly part of the nation, I have averaged 47 mpg, which is amazing! The car can even get over 50 mpg if it's flat or I'm more careful. My wife had a 2012 Prius C and the Mirage has a similar 'feel' and fuel efficiency- after 6 years it still feels tight and solid. My only complaints are that the manual transmission felt 'notchy' at first and takes about 3,000 miles to break in smoothly. That said, the gear ratios are perfectly spaced for the engine and allow the car to cruise most roads at under 3,000 rpm. The windows tend to fog up in winter unless the fan is on. I replaced the original Dunlop tires (which wore out at 25,000 miles) with cheap Federal tires ($40 each, which wore out after 24,000 miles) and put on Kumho tires for $59 each. The Kumhos perform the best of the 3 brands so far. I just replaced the Kumhos again last week, and I'm excited to keep driving my Mirage for years to come!You can expect to get no more than 25,000 miles out of the tires on this car, but fortunately they are cheap. The car did develop a small muffler/heat shield rattle that needed to be repaired, but it was a minor fix. At 35,000 miles, I had to replace the front brakes and rotors because they had rusted excessively and would not pass state inspection. There is a lot of winter salt on the roads around here, so that may have contributed to the rust. They were replaced again at 78,000 miles. I have been diligent in changing the synthetic oil every 6,000-7,000 miles and changing the air filters at 30,000 and 60,000 miles, as well as the windshield wipers twice. At 51,000 miles, I changed the manual transmission oil with Redline brand, which is equal or superior to OEM. Everything else is original and still feels solid. UPDATE 9-12-2023: The engine began burning a quart of oil every 3,000 miles this summer. Not a big deal since everything still drives normally, but I rarely took this car over 3,500 rpm so it was not abused. Online forums have mentioned this occurrence, and those owners have obtained 150,000 plus miles, so I'll have to check it regularly and see what happens. A Mirage is not the smoothest, fastest, quietest, fanciest, or best-handling car on the road, but it is not supposed to be. It just does everything a car should do to get from point A to B. At $16,000-18,000 for a new one these days, I would not buy one. Rather, I would add a few more thousand for something else. But for a well-maintained used Mirage with low mileage under $10,000, it would make a reliable daily driver. In conclusion, as of March 2024, after almost 6 1/2 years, I would recommend this vehicle with the above qualifications to anyone who is looking for a basic, solid all-around vehicle. I'm going to drive it until it falls apart or isn't worth fixing. As a mechanic friend once said,
-
I can assure any prospective buyer that the Mitsubishi Mirage is a great car. Despite some negative reviews, I have found that the interior noise is not as bad as claimed and the car handles well on the highway. Compared to a Prius C, the Mirage is a great alternative that costs $10,000 less. It is comfortable for two people, handles everyday driving perfectly well and gets an impressive 43-51 mpg depending on outside temperature and type of driving. The 3 cylinder engine is smooth throughout the RPM range, while the manual gear ratios are perfectly matched for the power band. It handles normal driving safely and is very maneuverable due to its small size. Although the manual transmission is 'notchy' at first, it smooths out after about 3,000 miles. The car has been totally reliable mechanically except for a rattling heat shield that was easily corrected. Basic maintenance such as changing the oil, transmission fluid and air filters has kept the car running smoothly. I have also replaced the brakes and tires as needed, but overall the Mirage has been a great car for me.This summer my car's engine started using a quart of oil about every 3,000 miles, which is not excessive, although it seems a little premature as I rarely go over half throttle. It's possible that the rings or valve seats are wearing or the PCV valve is simply worn out. However, the engine runs normally and has the original power, so I'm just driving it for now. The radio and air conditioning are adequate, if not powerful. In conclusion, I find the car with the manual transmission fun to drive - not in a Mazda Miata way - but in a small car easy to zip around way. The Mirage is not the fastest, smoothest, or most powerful car on the road, but it is not supposed to be. Rather, it is a reliable daily driver car with a great warranty at a fantastic price. I have heard that they are discontinuing the Mirage, but finding a used, low mileage, well-maintained one for $10,000 or less would be one of the best deals out there. One owner in Minnesota obtained over 400,000 miles, so they are durable if taken care of. I encourage you to test drive this car for yourself. If it is not to your tastes, that's fine, but don't be discouraged by the expert reviews. Many people who actually own this car love it. Personally, I bought this car as what my mechanic calls a 'disposable car' - meaning I plan to drive it until it dies, so I am not worried about resale value. I do not work for Mitsubishi nor know anyone who does.
-
We just bought this car for my niece, her first car for college. I have friends who owned Mitsubishi cars that were very reliable, but we were concerned after reading professional reviews of the Mirage. However, after reading consumer reviews, we decided to test drive the Mirage and we are thrilled that we did. We ended up buying this brand new car for my niece for $11,933 and we couldn't be happier. I will update the review later on reliability, but all the other issues that professional reviewers pointed out are pretty much non-existent or inconsequential when looking for a first-time vehicle for a teenager. Do yourself a favor and give it a chance by test driving one and make up your own mind. If it's not what you're looking for, don't buy it.
-
I want to start by saying that you shouldn't believe the negative 'pro' reviews. This car is a solid choice for the price in 2020 on a brand new car. Although the resale value may not be great, this is a common issue with many cars. The power is fine, as long as you aren't expecting a race car. It can be a little loud getting up to speed, but I find that it handles well on the highway. The seats are very comfortable, and the front ones even have heat which fires up very quickly. Another great feature is the apple carplay, which allows for voice-activated commands such as calling someone or playing music. In terms of fuel efficiency, I am able to achieve mid 30's in the city and 45 on the highway. Overall, I think this car is a great choice and I would highly recommend it.
-
2nd **UPDATE))**I have owned my car for almost 3yrs now and I still love it. It is great on gas and has ample room inside. Although the hard plastic inside is starting to show some wear (but not much), it still looks good. **UPDATE **I have had my car for 10 months now and I am happy to report that I get up to 58mpg on calm days while driving on the highway at 65mph. Everything else remains the same. Although the camera is not the best and there are not many nooks to place items, I still find it wonderful. I purchased my Mitsubishi Mirage in December 2017 and have already put 3600 miles on it driving back-and-forth to my grandkids' house. It has enough horsepower to keep up with other cars on the road and to pass when necessary. The interior of the car has ample space in the front seat and even seems larger than some full-size cars. I can park in tight parking spots and turn on a dime. Although there are no little pockets to put things in and the back-up camera is not as clear as it should be, I still love this car and find it fun to drive. If you’re looking for a small car with excellent gas mileage (41 highway 39 city), this car is perfect for you.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.