It could be a treat to be pegged as one of the cheapest cars on sale. However, it often causes potential buyers to view the vehicle in a negative light.
Mirage provides the budget conscious driver with the bare minimum of essentials. Historically, he’s one of the cheapest cars sold, but there’s a lot to like. Acceptable comfort, decent entertainment technology and good fuel economy make the Mirage a good choice for the frugal. There is no point in owning a car where you spend more time with the mechanic than on the road.
So, do some think the 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage is a hopeless pile of steel and plastic, or is it one of the more reliable cars available?
What are the common drawbacks of the 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage?
Despite what people might think, the 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage doesn’t have many problems. CarComplaints reports no immediate consumer issues and only details simple fixes by dealers. I am evaluating. Owners even appreciated the reliability of the Mirage.
RepairPal claims the 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage has one major flaw. Based on owner complaints, they claim that brake rotors wear out prematurely, and then brake pads wear out. The problem can surface at as little as 2,000 miles on the odometer, leading to a “pulsation” in the brake pedal. But the fix is quick and easy. RepairPal technicians recommend replacing stock components with quality replacement parts.
Has NHTSA recalled the 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued two recalls on the 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage 5-door hatchback variant. There was another one in the Mirage G4 sedan.
The agency described a failure of the internal accelerometer in the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU). The SRS-ECU software may interpret vibrations inside the vehicle, such as those caused by bad road conditions, as a sensor error. As a result, the system disables the airbags from deploying in the event of a collision. A Mitsubishi dealer received an affected Mirage (2014-2018 model year) and reprogrammed the SRS-ECU software for free.
Additionally, according to another recall, 2017 Mirages equipped with HID headlamps may have been assembled without the leveling lockout clip properly secured. The dealer was tasked with fixing the headlights, which was also free.
Will the 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage last 200,000 miles?
If the owner sticks to a regular maintenance schedule, the 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage will hit and even exceed the 200,000 mile threshold. Some people travel twice as much.
CarBuzz reports on the 2014 Mirage with 414,000 miles. Only two components needed replacement. Wheel bearings about 150,000 miles, new starter 200,000 and 300,000 miles. Many people won’t be using a used Mirage under $12,000 for very long, but it’s nice to know it’s possible.
Low purchase cost, low maintenance and cheap replacement parts make the 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage an excellent used car. Yes, it’s hilariously loud, with an underpowered engine and vague steering. Regardless, keep your distance while remaining aware of the owner’s bank account.