Model year guide

2001 Mitsubishi Mirage

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2001 Mitsubishi Mirage is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 15 on record.

2001 Mitsubishi Mirage — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2001 Mitsubishi Mirage at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints34
Combined25–30 mpg

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

2001 Mitsubishi Mirage recalls 5

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #09E025000 · 11/05/2009

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #09E012000 · 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E026000 · 23/03/2006

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Equipment:other:labels NHTSA Campaign #04V428000 · 01/09/2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Fix: MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPE…

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine NHTSA Campaign #01V340001 · 05/11/2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BOLT SECURING THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY CAN BECOME LOOSE AND THE PULLEY COULD FALL OFF THE VEHICLE.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES TO INSURE THAT THE BOLT IS TIGHTENED. FOR THOSE BOLTS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED, THE BOLT AND PULLEY WILL BE REMOVED AND INSPECTED FOR ANY INDICATION OF DAMAGE. COMPONENTS SHOWING ANY SIGNS OF DAMAGE WILL BE REPLACED AND THE BOLT TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE. OWNER …

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.

2001 Mitsubishi Mirage common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2001 Mitsubishi Mirage MPG & running costs

Combined25–30 mpg
City24 mpg
Highway33 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,463
EPA size classCompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume91 cu ft
Cargo volume11 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$313 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 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 2001 Mitsubishi Mirage costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$12,315
Fuel only$12,315
Per mile$0.16

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

Manufacturer service bulletins 37

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 37.

This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 3rd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.

Bulletin DEALER LETTER · Equipment · Jul 2023

This Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of rap-film adhesive residue.

Bulletin TSB-23-00-004 · Structure · Apr 2023

This Technical Service Bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the reduction in load carrying capacity be affixed to vehicles when the total net weight of accessories is more than 1.5 percent of the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (…

Bulletin TSB-23-00-001 · Equipment · Apr 2023

This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 2nd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.

Bulletin DEALER LETTER · Equipment · Apr 2023

This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by improper sealing or a defective/broken part.

Bulletin TSB-22-54-003 · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2022

This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers informing them a shock absorber oil leak may result in replacement of absorbers unnecessarily when trace amounts of oil are noted to have adhered to the shock absorber.

Bulletin TSB-21-34-001 · Suspension · Jun 2021

Technical Information Notice to dealerships. Due to the increased occurrence of Mirage/Mirage G4 vehicles exhibiting faulty air conditioning systems caused by low/high refrigerant levels; MMNA would like to remind all Dealer Service Personnel of the correct pr…

Bulletin TIN-20-55B-001 · Engine And Engine Cooling, Equipment Adaptive/mobility, Equipment · Sep 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 message sent to dealers, to inform them that an update for MEDIC will be available.

Bulletin MEDICUpdate517 · Equipment · Feb 2018

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.

2001 Mitsubishi Mirage trims & engines on record

Trims
ES
Engines
1.8L

2001 Mitsubishi Mirage vehicles on record

Other Mitsubishi Mirage model years

2001 Mitsubishi Mirage — frequently asked questions

Does the 2001 Mitsubishi Mirage have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2001 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 2001 Mitsubishi Mirage?

Across all 34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, vehicle speed control, seat belts.

What gas mileage does the 2001 Mitsubishi Mirage get?

The 2001 Mitsubishi Mirage has U.S. EPA estimates of 25–30 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

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