Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1998 Mitsubishi Mirage: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage, most recently filed October 2000. Owners have filed 43 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (2)

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 00V311001 Filed Oct 2, 2000

MITSUBISHI AMERICA/CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT

Engine and engine cooling · engine
Official NHTSA text
Summary
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES: MIRAGE MODEL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.5L ENGINES; MONTERO SPORT MODELS EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L ENGINES; AND MONTERO MODELS EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L ENGINES. THE BOLT SECURING THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY CAN BECOME LOOSE AND THE PULLEY COULD FALL OFF THE VEHICLE.
Consequence
THE CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
ON THE MIRAGE VEHICLES, THE DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW, IMPROVED CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT ON THE OLDER ENGINES. ON NEW ENGINES WHICH ALREADY HAVE THE IMPROVED BOLT, THE DEALER WILL TIGHTEN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT TO THE CORRECT TORQUE SPECIFICATION. ON THE MONTERO MODELS, DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT TO THE CORRECT TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS. IF THE BOLT IS DAMAGED, IT WILL BE REPLACED.
Repair progress not yet reported210,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 00V311001
Listed for 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 97V179000 Filed Oct 14, 1997

MITSUBISHI/VACUUM CHECK VALVE

Service brakes, hydraulic · power assist · vacuum · hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Official NHTSA text
Summary
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A POORLY MANUFACTURED VACUUM CHECK VALVE IN THE VACUUM HOSE BETWEEN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THE BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THE VACUUM BOOSTER CHECK VALVE CAN STICK TO THE VALVE BODY.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN REDUCTION OR LOSS OF VACUUM BOOST, REDUCING BRAKE EFFICIENCY.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE VACUUM HOSE.
Repair progress not yet reported31 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 97V179000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (43)

43 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The air bags is mentioned most often.

12involved a crash
2involved a fire
11injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 43.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1998 compares with other Mirage years

Best and worst Mirage years →
1994199519961997199819992000200120022014
This year (1998)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 31 mpg combined

31
mpg combined
28
city
36
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,150
CO₂ tailpipe
287 g/mi
EPA class
Subcompact Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,107per year
$176per month
484gallons a year

Miles ÷ 31 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

1998 Mitsubishi Mirage configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
1.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive28 / 36 / 31$2,150287
1.5 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive25 / 32 / 28$2,400317
1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive25 / 33 / 28$2,400317
1.8 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive23 / 30 / 25$2,700356

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1998 Mirage for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Mirage years

Where to next

1998 Mitsubishi Mirage FAQ

How many recalls does the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage have?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 00V311001 (engine), 97V179000 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage problems?

Owners filed 43 complaints with NHTSA. Air bags (9), Service brakes (8), Power train (6) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage get?

EPA rates the 1.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 28 city, 36 highway and 31 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 1998 Mirage compare with other years?

Among the 1994–2014 Mitsubishi Mirage model years at least five years old, the 2002 drew the fewest complaints (5) and the 1997 the most (74). The 1998 drew 43. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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