Model year guide

1991 Mitsubishi Mirage

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1991 Mitsubishi Mirage is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1991 Mitsubishi Mirage — representative photo
Representative photo

1991 Mitsubishi Mirage at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints42
Combined22–29 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1991 Mitsubishi Mirage recalls 1

Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly NHTSA Campaign #95V103004 · 24/05/1995

THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.

Fix: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SU…

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1991 Mitsubishi Mirage common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 42 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

1991 Mitsubishi Mirage MPG & running costs

Combined22–29 mpg
City22 mpg
Highway28 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,738
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
Transmission4 options
Passenger volume90 cu ft
Cargo volume12 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$1,688 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 8 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1991 Mitsubishi Mirage costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$13,690
Fuel only$13,690
Per mile$0.18

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 4

AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FAILURE Closed

THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT ALLEGEDLY MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILS

NHTSA #EA96015 · Seat Belts · opened Jun 1996 · closed Jun 1997

AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILURE Closed

NHTSA #PE96006 · Seat Belts · opened Jan 1996 · closed Jun 1996

TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE Closed

NHTSA #EA95004 · Seat Belts · opened Mar 1995 · closed Aug 1995

TAKATA SEAT BLT BCKLS FAIL Closed

NHTSA #PE94080 · Seat Belts · opened Nov 1994 · closed Mar 1995

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 12

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 12.

Tech Talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. It covers various topics and reviews the previous months publications.

Bulletin TT267 · Apr 2022

This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to provide instructions and Material Safety Data Sheets for Biosol 100 use.

Bulletin TSB-21-00-010 · Equipment · Apr 2021

This Technical Information Notice was sent to dealers reminding them of the importance of customer satisfaction.

Bulletin TIN-21-00-003 · Equipment · Mar 2021

Tech Talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. It covers various topics and reviews the previous months publications.

Bulletin TT-20-00-002 · Electrical System, Equipment · Aug 2020

This Technical Information Notice was sent to dealers informing that MMNA has recently received information from Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) about the effects of the Waterborne (WB) paint process on Mitsubishi vehicles.

Bulletin TIN-20-42A-001 · Structure, Equipment · Aug 2020

This Technical Service Bulletin informs dealers they may find a stain or cloudy spot on the body panels after removing the transportation film.due to improper installation of the film.This TSB instructs the dealers of the repair procedure for removal of the st…

Bulletin TSB-20-42A-005 · Structure, Equipment, Equipment Adaptive/mobility · Aug 2020

This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.

Bulletin TT253 · Equipment · Nov 2019

This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin supersedes TSB-18-00-003, issued April, 2018, to add updated information for Carrying Capacity Reduced Label.

Bulletin TSB-19-00-008 · Equipment · Jul 2019

This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.

Bulletin TT237 · Equipment · Feb 2018

This Technical Service Bulletin updates the door adjustment procedure in the Body Section of the applicable service manuals.

Bulletin TSB-13-42A-002 · Structure · Jan 2013

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the MIRAGE. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Mitsubishi Mirage

The Mitsubishi Mirage is a range of cars produced by the Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi from 1978 until 2003 and again since 2012. The hatchback models produced between 1978 and 2003 were classified as subcompact cars, while the sedan and station wagon models, marketed prominently as the Mitsubishi Lancer, were the compact offerings. The liftback introduced in 1988 complemented the sedan as an additional compact offering, and the coupé of 1991 fitted in with the subcompact range. The current Mirage model is a subcompact hatchback and sedan and it replaces the Mitsubishi Colt sold between 2002 and 2012.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1991 Mitsubishi Mirage vehicles on record

Other Mitsubishi Mirage model years

1991 Mitsubishi Mirage — frequently asked questions

Does the 1991 Mitsubishi Mirage have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1991 Mitsubishi Mirage. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1991 Mitsubishi Mirage?

Across all 42 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are seat belts, electrical system, engine and engine cooling.

What gas mileage does the 1991 Mitsubishi Mirage get?

The 1991 Mitsubishi Mirage has U.S. EPA estimates of 22–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (8 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.