BestCarRank
Mitsubishi

2018 Mitsubishi MIRAGE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Mitsubishi MIRAGE has 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.8x the segment average of 21. The most common issue is air bags problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owned a 2018 mitsubishi mirage. while driving approximately 25 mph, the contact lost control of the vehicle and it flipped over three times. the frontal air bags did not deploy. a police report was filed. the vehicle was destroyed and towed. the fire department was present and a fire. There is 1 recall issued for this model year.

5 crash reports 6 injuries

16

Total Complaints

1

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

0.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

4 complaints
25%
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS PRESENT AND A FIRE
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP, AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A RAILROAD TRACK WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE
  • WHEN HAVING TO BRAKE WITH ANY SUDDENNESS AT ALL, I MET TWO EXTREMES. THEY EITHER ENGAGED SO ABRUPTLY EVERYTHING WAS THROWN FORWARD, OR THEY FAILED TO ENGAGE ENOUGH. SUDDEN- I DESCRIBE THIS TYPE OF BRAKING AS WHEN BEING CUT IN FRONT OF. THE NECESSITY TO BRAKE IN THIS MANNER WOULD THROW MY DOGS AND B
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS PRESENT AND A FIRE

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Mitsubishi MIRAGE

Based on 15 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 15K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
13
30-60K
1
60-100K
0
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (1)

AIR BAGS30/10/2017

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mirage vehicles. The internal acceleration sensor in the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) can misinterpret vibrations such as those from poor road conditions or a flat tire to be a sensor error thereby disabling the air bags from deploying in a crash.

Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as designed in a crash increase the risk of injury.

Fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the SRS-ECU software, free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-006.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Mitsubishi MIRAGE

Live EIA prices
Per year
$1,263
Per month
$105
Per mile
10.5¢
MPG
38
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$1,455/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,117/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Mitsubishi MIRAGE

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,575
Full coverage / month
$131
Liability only / year
$598
vs US avg
-6%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating0.98x
× vehicle age1.00x
= Full coverage estimate$1575

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Mitsubishi New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
5 yr / 60K mi
Powertrain
10 yr / 100K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
10 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
7 yr / 100K mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr / unlimited mi

10 year powertrain not transferable

These are the terms for a new Mitsubishi. If you're buying a used 2018 MIRAGE, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Mitsubishi dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
STEERING(~50K mi)
$500
WHEELS(~50K mi)
$500
SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 16 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • AIR BAGS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS PRESENT AND A FIRE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • STEERING: THIS CAR AT 20,000 MILES HAS HAD 2 SETS OF NEW TIRES SINCE NEW REPEATETED TRIPS TO SELLING DEALER FINALLY DEALER SAID THEY ALIGNED CAR 250FOR NEW FRONT TIRES AT WALMART 5000 MILES TIRE WORN TO HAVING A SOLITARY STRIP OF TREAD IN MIDDLE OF FRONT TIRES DESPITE BEING RTATED AND BALANCED 2 TIMES DEALE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • WHEELS: THIS CAR AT 20,000 MILES HAS HAD 2 SETS OF NEW TIRES SINCE NEW REPEATETED TRIPS TO SELLING DEALER FINALLY DEALER SAID THEY ALIGNED CAR 250FOR NEW FRONT TIRES AT WALMART 5000 MILES TIRE WORN TO HAVING A SOLITARY STRIP OF TREAD IN MIDDLE OF FRONT TIRES DESPITE BEING RTATED AND BALANCED 2 TIMES DEALE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • SPEED CONTROL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP, AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A RAILROAD TRACK WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Mitsubishi dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Mitsubishi MIRAGE — Year Comparison

How does 2018 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

At a Glance

Complaints
16
Recalls
1
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
5
Injury reports
6
Segment avg
21

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2018 Mitsubishi MIRAGE