Brakes Problems in the Mitsubishi Mirage
-
Premature Brake Wear
The most common concern regarding the braking system and the Mitsubishi Mirage problems are premature brake wear. The typical repair cost for this problem comes to around $950, with the most common solution being to replace the brakes at around 14,000 miles. Owners state that they have to change the brakes in the front and back of the car and the brake pads and rotors to get the full fix.
⚠️ If It's Broken, Don't Fix It - Get Paid Cash for Your Vehicle ⚠️
Brake Pads
The brake pads’ combination applies pressure to the brake rotors, and the brake rotors clamp down on the wheels to slow down and stop your car. Due to how fast your car’s tires rotate on a daily basis while driving, combined with the heavier weight of your car or truck, brake pads undergo a significant amount of stress. This stress can easily lead to uneven brake pad wear, causing the common Mitsubishi Mirage problems.
Since your brake pads can wear down over time due to the constant pressure, stress, and friction from the tire rotations and the car’s weight, you need to know when and how to replace your vehicle’s brake pads as soon as you see the uneven brake pad wear.
Brake Rotors
Brake pads are a crucial part of the system because they contact and apply pressure and the necessary friction to a vehicle’s brake rotors. The brake rotors are an important part of the system because the vehicle’s clamp pads clamp down on to stop the wheels from spinning. Brake rotors are just as important as brake pads in the braking function.
The average cost of rotor pad replacement ranges from $406-$559. Brake rotors may need to be replaced as soon as you notice the uneven brake pad wear to prevent future Mitsubishi Mirage problems.
-
Service Brakes
The second most common concern regarding the braking system and the Mitsubishi Mirage Problems involves the NHTSA, who cited various concerns regarding the vehicle’s service brakes. Owners report that the front caliper makes noises on the brakes, the brakes fail very easily, and the car doesn’t brake when needed.
Screeching Noises
Owners have reported hearing a screeching sound when applying the brakes. This sound is caused by a small indicator placed in your brake pad for this purpose. If you hear this while braking, it’s time to take your car in for inspection. In addition, if your brakes are constantly exposed to wet or damp conditions, then a layer of dust can form on the brake pads, causing a screeching sound and extensive Mitsubishi Mirage problems.
Grinding While Braking
Owners have reported an audible grinding while braking. If you hear a deep and low noise, this is typically a sign that the brake pads wear away and that your brake discs and calipers are currently rubbing against each other. This rubbing can be due to the uneven brake pad wear over time, causing various Mitsubishi Mirage problems.
Transmission Problems in the Mitsubishi Mirage
-
Transmission Hesitation
One of the biggest transmission issues when focusing on the Mitsubishi Mirage problems is the transmission hesitation. Owners state that this problem is a 9 out of 10 on the severity scale and usually occurs at around 17,450 miles.
If your transmission takes a while to go into the proper gear and the car is hesitating while shifting, this could signal a bad transmission. Hesitation while shifting could be due to a transmission fluid leak, fluid contamination, or water intrusion during certain weather or road conditions. Make sure you stay up to date with the routine maintenance of your transmission fluid level so you can avoid Mitsubishi Mirage problems.
-
Transmission Slipping
The second most common transmission concern regarding Mitsubishi Mirage problems is the transmission slipping. The occurrence of your transmission slipping can lead to a bad transmission in your car. This condition is also caused by the pesky low transmission fluid, contamination of the transmission fluid, or the lack of routine maintenance in the transmission system.
The transmission slipping can also be due to the internal wear and tear on transmission parts inside the transmission itself. If your engine is also revving highly along with the slipping transmission, this is a sign that you have worn out clutches and other Mitsubishi Mirage problems.
-
Leaking Transmission Fluid
A red fluid leaking and showing underneath your vehicle is a clear sign of a bad transmission and an indicator that you probably have a transmission fluid leak coming from one of your cooler lines, a transmission gasket, or a valve seal. This leaking transmission fluid can lead to a dangerous situation if the fluid ends up leaking onto a hot pipe or other services that can cause overheating and other Mitsubishi Mirage problems.
Interior Accessories Problems in the Mitsubishi Mirage
The third category of concern regarding the Mitsubishi Mirage problems is the interior accessories – although these problems are less severe than the brakes and transmission, they still cause problems for the Mirage owners.
Phone and Bluetooth Not Staying Connected
The main problem regarding the interior accessories is that the phone and Bluetooth will not stay connected in the car. This problem generally occurs at around 2,750 miles and has a severity rating of 4 out of 10.
The top concern regarding the phone is that owners state the entertainment system will not connect, the Bluetooth disconnects from the phone while driving, and the phone can’t stay connected to the internal system.
Wheels and Hubs Problems in the Mitsubishi Mirage
Another category of concern regarding the Mitsubishi Mirage problems for owners is the wheels and hubs.
-
Premature Tire Wear
Premature tire wear is the most severe concern regarding the wheels and hubs, with the most common solution being to replace the tires for around $440 and around 32,700 miles. Owners state that the tires break down prematurely and have a severity rating of 8 out of 10 on the scale.
Cause of Premature Tire Wear
To fix the premature tire wear and the other Mitsubishi Mirage problems, you need to remedy the flat tires and low tire pressure using a tire patch. Flat or underinflated tires can be caused by sharp objects in the road sticking up at an inconvenient angle. Although this may seem like a long shot that your car would drive over one of these items, since most of them are so small, it is very difficult to spot on the road before driving over them.
Some other causes of a flat tire are overinflation, collisions, hitting a curb, a failed valve stem, extremely hot or cold weather, potholes, and vandalism. An oxymoron might seem like an overinflating can cause flat tires, but they impact your vehicle’s performance and cause the tires to wear unevenly. If your tires wear unevenly for long enough, this can cause tire issues and flat tires.
Fixing Premature Tire Wear
You need to make a note and consider the location and place of the puncture. If the puncture is between two of the tire treads, then it is a good option to use a tire patch. However, if the hole is to the shoulder or the side of the tire, then using a tire patch can cause internal damage since you will have been ignoring a bigger issue.
-
TPMS Sensor Failure
The second most common issue when dealing with the Mitsubishi Mirage problems is the TPMS sensor failure, which stands for the tire pressure monitoring system. The typical repair cost for this issue comes to around $120 to repair the sensor at an average of 8,500 miles, with a severity rating coming to 4 out of 10 on the cake.
TPMS Sensor Function
The low tire pressure light is a key tool in your car and diagnosing the issue. However, do you know what the low tire pressure symbol means when it illuminates on your dashboard? When you notice this in your vehicle, the initial thing to do is manually check your tire pressure with a simple tool, like a tire pressure gauge, and add the proper amount of air until the tire pressure reaches the manufacturer’s specification outlined in your car’s manual.
Causes of TPMS Light
Two causes of issues with the tires can affect the lifespan of the tires. Overinflation and underinflation can cause the tread to wear prematurely and possible tire failure. Overinflation can result in decreased traction, premature tire wear, and the inability to absorb the right amount of road impact and handle rough terrain. Overinflated tires can show premature wear on the tire tread, mainly centering in the middle of the trade.
The other cause of the low tire pressure light in your car will be underinflation. Underinflated tires can cause the tires to respond slowly, a decreased fuel economy and lower miles per gallon, excessive heat buildup and friction, and tire overload. An underinflated set of tires can show premature wear on both sides of the tread instead of centered in the middle and focus on the tires’ shoulders.
Fuel System Problems in the Mitsubishi Mirage
The last category of concern when dealing with the most common Mitsubishi Mirage problems involves the fuel system.
-
Poor Miles Per Gallon
Fixing the poor miles per gallon and reduced economic efficiency in your vehicle can help remedy some of the concerning Mitsubishi Mirage problems. This occurrence’s average mileage is very early on, happening at around 5,000 miles and having a severity rating of 8 out of 10.
Causes of Poor Gas Mileage
As your car gets older and succumbs to more wear and tear, contaminants, debris, and dirt builds up on various parts. Carbon builds up on the internal mechanisms, like pistons, valves, and cylinder walls, leading to a lack of performance and reduced efficiency. The buildup of any unwanted product on the internal cylinders and pistons reduces the engine’s compression, leading to a lower fuel economy and Mitsubishi Mirage problems.
Another cause of this severe Mitsubishi Mirage problem is the piston rings breaking down after substantial use. Since the piston rings seal off the cylinder wall, a damaged piston ring can reduce the system’s compression and lower fuel efficiency.
The final cause of poor gas mileage in the Mitsubishi Mirage is poor driving habits and tailgating. When you step on the gas, the throttle plate opens and allows the extra air to enter the combustion chamber. This process triggers the engine control unit to respond appropriately. This mechanism needs to inject additional fuel to keep the air and fuel ratio right to prevent poor gas mileage.
Mitsubishi Mirage Reliability
When figuring out if you should purchase a Mitsubishi Mirage as a potential car owner, knowing this vehicle’s reliability can help you make a smart decision. Unfortunately, the Mitsubishi Mirage problems have made this car one of the lowest-rated cars in the subcompact class of vehicle rankings – along with almost any other class.
The positives of the Mirage include the low price and the enhanced fuel economy. However, the negatives outweigh the positives in this car. The Mirage is plagued by reduced acceleration, minimal safety technology and features, low-rate, tacky interior materials, and a low predicted reliability rating.
The US News Scorecard gave the Mitsubishi Mirage a terrible ranking of just 4.9 out of 10, with a critics’ rating of 2.9, the performance of 4.7, interior of 5.0, safety of 8.2, and reliability rating of 2 out of 5 stars. Due to the low rankings, the Mitsubishi Mirage only earned a #8 spot in the category of subcompact cars.
Conclusion
Looking at the most severe Mitsubishi Mirage problems, you need to look at the concerning issues in the braking system, fuel system, transmission mechanism, interior accessories, and the wheels and hubs. By recognizing the most common issues, you can prevent these Mitsubishi Mirage problems from getting any worse over time and causing a performance decrease in your vehicle.