2001 Mitsubishi Mirage Review
Price Estimate: $1,323 - $2,204

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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Sleek styling, quality interior materials, stable handling.
Cons
- Doesn't quite measure up to competition.
What’s new
All 2001 Mirages now have tether anchors for child seats and meet LEV standards. A power sunroof is now available with the coupe's sport package. Sedan buyers can choose from the LS or the new base ES trim model that replaces the DE model. Nothing else has changed but the designation -- John Mellencamp? John Cougar? John Cougar Mellencamp?
Edmunds says
Although generally a good little car, the dated Mirage is hallucinating if it thinks it can challenge the class leaders.
For sale near Gretna, LA
1 listings
- Photos not available
- 52,158 miles
- No accidents, 4 owners, rental vehicle
- 22 City / 30 Hwy MPG
- Haley Toyota (841 mi away)
- Rear Bench Seats
- Fold Flat Rear Seats
Close
Located in Farmville, VA
THIS VEHICLE IS LOCATED AT: HALEY TOYOTA OF RICHMOND! 3600 LONAS PARKWAY MIDLOTHIAN VA 23112 (8**) 5**-7*** Buy With Confidence! Most of our used vehi...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
25 Combined MPG (22 City/30 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JA3AY26CX1U034708
Stock: M1682A
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 04-23-2025
Vehicle overview
Available as a coupe in DE and LS trim levels, and as a sedan in ES and LS levels, the Mirage's main competition are sales favorites like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, as well as Korean contenders like the Kia Sephia and Hyundai Elantra.
The entry-level DE Coupe has a 92-horsepower, 1.5-liter engine mated to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. The ES Sedan comes with a larger 1.8-liter, 113-horsepower engine. This same sedan also has a front stabilizer bar that helps the car move nimbly between potholes and slow-moving traffic, and both the DE Coupe and ES Sedan have a four-wheel independent suspension. Several standard features are part of the DE Coupe and ES Sedan trim level, including tilt steering, remote outside mirrors and intermittent wipers. All LS models, which are meant to appeal to the features-conscious crowd, have the larger 1.8-liter engine, a six-way adjustable driver's seat, rear window defroster, a body-colored grille and body-colored door handles. Other upgrades include alloy wheels, a chrome-tipped exhaust, a stereo with integrated CD controls and for the 2001 LS Sedan, a standard sunroof. We found that Mirage's interior appears to be made of higher-quality material than most cars at this price.If you want your Mirage with some "sport" thrown in, the LS Coupe can be ordered with an optional sport package that includes a rear spoiler, chrome tailpipe extension and side air dams. LS Coupes and all sedans come with air conditioning, an AM/FM stereo with CD player, a tachometer and a split folding rear bench seat to access the cargo capacity of 11.5 cubic feet.
Regardless of the specific body style and trim level you order, you can be sure your Mirage won't blend in with the other small cars in the parking lot. Its shape offers more personality than the Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic, although the funky shape of the Ford Focus, or the elegant Protege, may be more suited to your eclectic tastes.
Generally, we like the Mirage. It's got a good look, a quiet interior, stable road characteristics and comfy seats. But the Kia Sephia is still a better value and the 2001 Elantra looks to be a strong contender in terms of refinement, interior space and overall design. And while the Civic and Corolla may not be as sexy, they do come with legendary reliability at a comparable price. Competition in the small-car segment continues to heat up, and we fear this aging Mirage may be fading.
Reliability
The 2001 Mitsubishi Mirage has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and 5 recalls. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.
Recalls
5 recalls foundChecking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.
If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).
- Recall Number:
- 09E025000
- Number of vehicles affected:
- 42540
- Defect Description:
- 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.
- Defect Consequence:
- DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Corrective Action:
- 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.
- Recall Number:
- 09E012000
- Number of vehicles affected:
- 16270
- Defect Description:
- 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.
- Defect Consequence:
- DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Corrective Action:
- 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.
- Recall Number:
- 06E026000
- Number of vehicles affected:
- 61944
- Defect Description:
- 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.
- Defect Consequence:
- WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
- Corrective Action:
- 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.
- Recall Number:
- 04V428000
- Manufactured from:
- 1997-05-01 to 2001-11-30
- Number of vehicles affected:
- 100432
- Defect Description:
- 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.
- Defect Consequence:
- THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
- Corrective Action:
- 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 EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.
- Recall Number:
- 01V340001
- Manufactured from:
- 1999-02-16 to 2000-09-21
- Number of vehicles affected:
- 18630
- Defect Description:
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BOLT SECURING THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY CAN BECOME LOOSE AND THE PULLEY COULD FALL OFF THE VEHICLE.
- Defect Consequence:
- THE CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Corrective Action:
- 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 NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 26, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AMERICA AT 1-888-648-7820.
Warranty
3 years / 36,000 miles Basic Warranty- Basic Warranty
- 3 years / 36,000 miles
- Drivetrain Warranty
- 5 years / 60,000 miles
- Rust Warranty
- 7 years / 100,000 miles
- Roadside assistance Warranty
- 3 years / 36,000 miles
Mitsubishi Mirage Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
2001 Mitsubishi Mirage ES 4dr Sedan
4 out of 5 starsherrstrauss, 12/16/2011
2001 Mitsubishi Mirage ES 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
Hi,
I purchased my 2001 Mitsubishi Mirage ES 4dr Sedan back in August, of 2011.
I paid $1,500.00 cash for the car, the odometer read 160,000 miles, I thought I was buying a dying car, or a car on the verge of death.
(at the time I knew nothing about Mitsubishi).
But this car has been anything but a dying car, it has been a great first car.
I've even gone as far as naming my car … buster.
This is a terrific starter car for anyone, old, middle aged, or young.
Almost little to no maintenance, get in and drive.
This car has never let me down.
The Japanese really built an amazing car.
I personally thank Mitsubishi motors for building a superb vehicle that was built with quality in mind.
Would buy another brand new if they re-made these!
5 out of 5 starsMike, 11/11/2015
2001 Mitsubishi Mirage ES 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
Truly unbelievably reliable. Bought this from friends who were original owner and nothing but normal maintenance has ever been done to this other than some emissions things that needed to be done for living in Illinois (car came from Indiana). Car now has over 211,000 miles on it and still going strong. Only issues are so minor I don't even care (cup holders as mentioned are long … gone), driver side door electronic lock wore out, keys are getting worn so only one will open the trunk. Lever to pop the trunk is broken.. but all these are so minor for such an old car, that the fact that nothing major has ever gone wrong yet on this car is truly a testament. Having had many used Ford's, Chrysler's, with MUCH lower mileage etc over the years and having to continually put in tons of work just to get the thing to run long enough to get to work, and then having this has been amazing. I will truly be sad when the time comes, and I wish more cars were this simple, cheap and reliable.
Can't kill it
5 out of 5 starsEG, 03/08/2019
2001 Mitsubishi Mirage ES 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
I owned this car for 8 yrs now started with 150k and it now has 310k. After dropping my own 150 thousand miles this car still won't die. Obviously maintenance is the biggest factor but not much was ever done to the engine and transmission. Still runs great and I think it is a hidden gem of reliable cars, if only it was known to be such from its inception I would have bought it new.
Amazing piece of metal
4.75 out of 5 starstonypham_, 01/21/2015
2001 Mitsubishi Mirage DE 2dr Coupe (1.5L 4cyl 4A)
It was handed down to me by my aunt at 60,000 miles and have been driving for 2 years, I'm at about 78,000 miles. It was a great first car to start learning with due to the size of it. It may be small but it's easy to change lanes, park, and manuver through tight spaces. It's fast once it kicks in as well. Will be keeping it with my Lexus. Recommended for people starting to learn how to … drive!
2001 Mirage Highlights
Sedan
ES
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $13,627 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 28 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $123/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalPoor
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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