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Mitsubishi Mirage VIN Number Check

Run a free NHTSA vPIC decode on a Mitsubishi Mirage VIN to confirm the model year and engine, then see which of the 12 NHTSA recall campaigns for 1990–2024 cover that year.

VIN prefixJA3ML34A3

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Vinny, the VinNumber key mascot
Mitsubishi Mirage

About the Mitsubishi Mirage

Mitsubishi sold the Mirage in the US for model years 1990–2024. Across those years NHTSA lists 12 vehicle recall campaigns and 738 owner complaints. The 1997 has the most complaints of any model year (74). EPA rates it at 22–39 mpg combined. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years1990–2024
EPA classSubcompact Cars
NHTSA recall campaigns12
Owner complaints738 at NHTSA
Mitsubishi Mirage photographed at a US vehicle auction
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations

Mitsubishi Mirage at a glance

One generation in the data, 1990–2024: 12 NHTSA recall campaigns and 738 owner complaints.

1 / 1
Mirage
1990–2024Subcompact Cars
Mitsubishi Mirage (1990–2024)

Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

19901995200020052010201520202024
1990–2024

Mitsubishi Mirage

EPA classSubcompact Cars
EPA combined mpg22–39
NHTSA recalls12

Engines (EPA)

  • 1.5 L 4-cyl · 1990–2002
  • 1.6 L 4-cyl · 1990–1992
  • 1.8 L 4-cyl · 1993–2002
  • 1.2 L 3-cyl · 2014–2015, 2017–2024

Drive & transmission (EPA)

  • FWD
  • automatic (1990–2002), manual (1990–2002, 2014–2015, 2017–2023), CVT (2014–2015, 2017–2024)

Known issues to check

Air bags (185)Seat belts (133)Brakes (114)

Mentions in 738 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · MirageML32A3HJ?FH······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage, built in Bangkok, Thailand
Check a Mirage VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Mirage model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 12 campaigns on file for Mirage model years 1990–2024, and the 1999, 2014 and 2017 show up in the most (3 each). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

2017
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recallCanada only
Pick a row
What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Mitsubishi Mirage owners report

NHTSA data

Complaints peak with the 1997 (74 of 738). Tap any bar or generation.

738NHTSA complaints, 1990–2024
181mention a crash
14mention a fire
161injuries reported
Owner complaints by model yearMirage: 738 complaints · most for the 1997 (74)

Top complaint areas · Mirage

Mentions in 738 complaints, 1990–2024.

Air bags185
Seat belts133
Brakes114
Engine and cooling105
Electrical system73
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)69
Crashes 181Fires 14Injuries 161

1990–2024

NHTSA data summary

The 1997 is the outlier. On its own it has 74 of the ’s 738 complaints (10%), more than any other Mirage model year, and owners across the generation name air bags most often (185 mentions), then seat belts (133).

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner opinions · Reddit

What Mitsubishi Mirage owners say on Reddit

Summarized from public threads

Mitsubishi Mirage owners on Reddit treat it as a cheap A to B car that lasts if you accept the noise and weak power. Several report 100,000 to more than 200,000 miles on oil changes and tires alone, and one 2015 reached 222,088 miles before the CVT failed. The light body helps the Jatco CVT outlast the same unit in heavier Nissans. Common extras are wheel bearings, heater core jobs near 2,000 dollars and clutch cables that snap on manuals around 100,000 miles.

Pros

  • Very cheap to buy and run, with strong real world fuel economy
  • Many cars past 100,000 to 200,000 miles on basic maintenance
  • Light weight helps the CVT last longer than in heavier cars

Cons

  • Weak acceleration and a noisy, rattle prone cabin
  • CVT can still fail at very high mileage
  • Heater core repairs near 2,000 dollars
  • Manual clutch cables that snap around 100,000 miles

Opinions of individual owners, summarized in our own words. Not verified data; check recalls and complaints above.

Owner complaints · by model year

Mirage complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Every Mirage version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.

738complaints, 1990–2024
181mention a crash
14mention a fire
161injuries reported
4complaints report a death
Most complaints: 1997 (74), 1993 (73), 1995 (70)
’9073’9370’9574’97’00’15’20

1997 · 74 complaints

Crashes 13 · fires 1 · injuries 11

Engine and engine cooling18
Air bags15
Power train15
Service brakes7
Seat belts6

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Mirage CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 97 Mirage versions for model years 1990–2024. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 225 g/mi (2023). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

Mirage1990–2024

22–39 mpg · CO₂ 225–404 g/mi

2023
39combined MPG
225CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$1,700EPA yearly fuel cost
5/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
7/10Greenhouse gas rating
California LEV-III ULEV70 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 70Emission standard
Cleanest gas version of 2023: Mirage · Auto (variable gear ratios), 3 cyl, 1.2 L — 39 MPG · 225 g/mi
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
20025030035040019901995200020052010201520201990 · Gas: 3061991 · Gas: 3061992 · Gas: 3061993 · Gas: 2871994 · Gas: 2871995 · Gas: 2871996 · Gas: 2871997 · Gas: 2871998 · Gas: 2871999 · Gas: 2872000 · Gas: 2872001 · Gas: 2962002 · Gas: 2962014 · Gas: 2282015 · Gas: 2282017 · Gas: 2262018 · Gas: 2252019 · Gas: 2292020 · Gas: 2282021 · Gas: 2252022 · Gas: 2272023 · Gas: 2252024 · Gas: 227
Gas

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Mirage vs Toyota Corolla vs Volkswagen Jetta

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 1990–2024. NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the Mirage, against 53 for the Toyota Corolla and 70 for the Volkswagen Jetta. Pick a range to compare.

Mitsubishi Mirage

Model years 1990–2024

NHTSA recall campaigns
12
NHTSA owner complaints
738
EPA combined mpg
22–39
Engines (EPA)
3-cyl 1.2 L · 4-cyl 1.5, 1.6, 1.8 L
Drive (EPA)
FWD
NHTSA crash rating
4★ overall (2024)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Air bags 185
  2. Seat belts 133
  3. Brakes 114

Toyota Corolla

Model years 1990–2024

NHTSA recall campaigns
53
NHTSA owner complaints
11,627
EPA combined mpg
21–52
Engines (EPA)
3-cyl 1.6 L · 4-cyl 1.6–2.4 L
Also listed
hybrid, turbo
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating
5★ overall (2024)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Air bags 4,708
  2. Engine and cooling 1,306
  3. Steering 1,171

Volkswagen Jetta

Model years 1990–2024

NHTSA recall campaigns
70
NHTSA owner complaints
10,153
EPA combined mpg
18–44
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 1.4–2.0 L · 5-cyl 2.5 L · 6-cyl 2.8 L
Also listed
diesel, turbo, hybrid
Drive (EPA)
FWD
NHTSA crash rating
5★ overall (2024)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Electrical system 2,240
  2. Engine and cooling 2,008
  3. Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 1,724

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Mitsubishi Mirage VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a Mirage

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Dark red Mitsubishi Mirage (sixth generation) sedan, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Cutlass, CC0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

Locate the Mirage's VIN on the plate at the lower driver's side windshield. Door jamb sticker and a B-pillar label are the secondary locations.

  1. Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
    Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
  2. Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
    Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ

Common Mitsubishi Mirage VIN questions

Which Mitsubishi Mirage model years have the most owner complaints?

The 1997 leads with 74, ahead of the 1993 (73) and 1995 (70). Those first two alone make up 20% of the 738 Mirage complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Mitsubishi Mirage had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 12 vehicle campaigns for model years 1990–2024, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns.

What fuel economy does the Mitsubishi Mirage get?

It varies. EPA rates the 1990–2024 Mirage at 22–39 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Mitsubishi Mirage compare with the Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Jetta on recalls?

For 1990–2024 models the Mirage has 12 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Toyota Corolla has 53, the Volkswagen Jetta 70. Complaints run 738, 11,627 and 10,153 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Mitsubishi Mirage have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2024 Mirage 4 stars overall. One version, FWD, is rated.

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