Research · Compact Cars

2017 Mitsubishi MirageRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 28 owner complaints for the 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage. Most complaints involve air bags (14) and electrical system (4). The EPA rates it 36–39 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
36–39mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Oct 2017
Owner complaints
28
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$1,650est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Oct 30, 2017NHTSA 17V686000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2017 Mirage vehicles manufactured October 28, 2015, to August 4, 2016 and equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps. The affected vehicles may have been assembled without the headlight horizontal adjustment lockout clips properly secured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Exterior lightingReported Sep 19, 2016NHTSA 16V675000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

28 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2017 – Nov 2023
  1. Air bags14
  2. Electrical system4
  3. Engine4
  4. Vehicle speed control3
  5. Fuel/propulsion system2
  6. Seat belts2
  7. Service brakes2
  8. Exterior lighting2
  9. Power train2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Mirage model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199631
199774
199843
199957
200035
200131
200212
201444
201539
201728
201810
20195
20201
20212
20222
20244
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
11
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

14 reports9 crashes
“I was involved in an accident which rendered my Mitsubishi Mirage a total loss. There was severe damage to the front driver's side of my vehicle. I am concerned because none of the air bags deployed. I was traveling at approximately 40 mph when a large pickup truck with a brush guard on the front ran a red light and collided with my vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 9, 2023Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11554454

Electrical system

4 reports
“This has happened 4 times in the last 2 weeks. While driving on the Interstate, the ABS light and skid control lights come on, shortly after all lights and the radio go off and the vehicle loses power. No power even when flooring the gas petal. Getting over to the side of the road, you can turn off the engine, sit for a few minutes, then all is fine. Diagnostics have been run showing no problems. Heading to the dealer, if I make it today! 150,000 miles.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 20, 2023Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11518010

Engine

4 reports
“THE VEHICLE WAS SHOWING NO SIGNS INITIALLY THEN AS I ENTERED THE HWY, THE ENGINE LIGHT, BATTERY AND ALL LIGHTS CAME ON. THEN IT STARTED BANGING LOUDLY AND PULLED OVER TO EXIT BUT THEN THE CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN AND DIED ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HWY. I BARELY MADE IT OFF AND IT RESTED ON THE EXIT RAMP. I WAS FEARFUL AND SHOCKED AS I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS PREVIOUS TO THIS ISSUE. CAR WAS TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC, HE TURNED THE WORK DOWN BECAUSE IT WAS INTERNAL TO THE ENGINE. THEN IT WAS CONFIRMED BY FRANK LETA MITSUBISHI THAT IT WAS CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM ENTERPRISE 02/09/2019 AS A SECOND OWNER WITH THEIR APPROVAL THAT IT WAS A GREAT CAR. IT IS NOT AND ALL SO ABRUPT!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 7, 2020EngineODI 11320443
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
1.2L 3-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Mirage
Auto (variable gear ratios), 3 cyl, 1.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
374339$1,650226
Mirage
Man 5-spd, 3 cyl, 1.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
334136$1,800242
  • Mirage
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 3 cyl, 1.2 L
    37 city · 43 hwy · $1,650/yr
    39
    mpg comb.
  • Mirage
    Man 5-spd, 3 cyl, 1.2 L
    33 city · 41 hwy · $1,800/yr
    36
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Mitsubishi Mirage 5 HB FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
4 of 5
Side pole
2 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.4%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 6, 2026Vehicle 11002
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2017 Mirage questions

How many recalls does the 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 6, 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.

What are the most common 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage problems?

Owners filed 28 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (14), electrical system (4), engine (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage get?

The EPA rates the 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage at 36–39 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 6, 2026