NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 31 owner complaints for the 1996 Mitsubishi Mirage. Most complaints involve air bags (12) and power train (5). The EPA rates it 25–31 mpg combined.
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“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 SQUEAKED FROM DAY ONE, THEN JUST QUIT WORKING. THE WATER PUMP HAS NOW WENT OUT TWICE!!! THE FIRST TIME THE THERMOSTAT ALSO WAS NOT WORKING, WHICH CAUSED ME TO HAVE A MAJOR MECHANICAL BILL...NO WARNING WHILE OUT OF STATE!!! THE WINDSHIELD HAS ALWAYS FOGGED UP NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO TO ELIMINATE IT, WHICH HAS CAUSED ME NEAR COLLISIONS NUMEROUS TIMES. THE WINDOWS SOON BECAME OFF TRACK FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND NOW LEAK WATER. BALL JOINTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THIS CAR BASICALLY WAS A LEMON. I PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW, MY FIRST NEW CAR AND MY LAST FROM MITSUBISHI.”
“MY MITSUBISHI MAGNA 1996 HAD VERY LITTLE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS BEFORE LAST YEAR WHEN I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND NOTICED AND OVERREV AND SUDDEN BUMP INTO 3RD GEAR AND OVER TIME IT FADED OUT TO NOTHING AND THEN I WAS DRIVING IT AND THEN LOST 3RD GEAR COMPLETELY...IT TRYS TO GO INTO THE 3RD GEAR BUT WON'T GO IN AND FALLS INTO NEUTRAL I'VE ASKED MANY AUTO TRANSMISSION PLACES AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA BUT WERE GOING TO CHARGE ME 1000 BUCKS TO LOOK AT IT SO I HAVEN'T HAD IT FIXED AND AM NOW GETTING ANOTHER CAR BUT I STILL WANT CLOSURE. *LN”
“WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED THEY WENT TO FLOOR. BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER REPAIRED. *AK”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mirage Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 35 | 31 | $2,050 | 287 |
| Mirage Auto 3-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 29 | 26 | $2,450 | 342 |
| Mirage Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 30 | 25 | $2,550 | 355 |
| Mirage Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 30 | 25 | $2,550 | 355 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
1 safety recall as of Nov 5, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 31 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (12), power train (5), service brakes, hydraulic (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1996 Mitsubishi Mirage at 25–31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).