Research · Compact Cars

2018 Mitsubishi MirageRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 10 owner complaints for the 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage. Most complaints involve air bags (4) and wheels (2). 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
1campaigns
Latest Oct 2017
Owner complaints
10
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$1,650est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · 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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 5, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

10 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2018 – Jun 2026
  1. Air bags4
  2. Wheels2
  3. Vehicle speed control2
  4. Steering2
  5. Engine1
  6. Service brakes1
  7. Exterior lighting1
  8. Suspension1
  9. Power train1

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
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
4
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 5, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

4 reports3 crashes
“THE SRS SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAVE NOTICED A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SIMILAR ISSUE. I MAKE SURE THE VEHICLE IS MAINTAINED PROPERLY AND TAKEN TO THE SHOP WHEN NEED BE. WHEN THE SRS SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON, I HAD JUST STARTED MY CAR AND THE LIGHT REFUSED TO TURN OFF.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 27, 2020Air bagsODI 11319442

Wheels

2 reports
“The contact owns a 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the contact became aware from the side view mirror that the rear driver’s side hubcap had detached from the wheel of the vehicle. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side and rear passenger’s side hubcaps had also detached. An independent mechanic nor a dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 17, 2026WheelsODI 11744796

Vehicle speed control

2 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 - 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that while making a left turn, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, after refueling, the vehicle stalled. The accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond or move forward. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the battery was not charging the computer. The battery was replaced, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 19,036.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 22, 2023Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11561529
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 5, 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 5, 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$1,650225
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 5, 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 5, 2026Vehicle 12404
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

2018 Mirage questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage have?

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.

What are the most common 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage problems?

Owners filed 10 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (4), wheels (2), vehicle speed control (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage at 36–39 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 5, 2026